PearlLED is using Digital Prototyping software from Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK 31.97, -.00, -0.01%) to help design a new breed of lightbulbs that shine brighter, run cooler and last 35 times longer than conventional bulbs. These bulbs enable retail customers and businesses of all sizes to experience powerful, sunlight-quality light while reducing their environmental footprint. PearlLED is a beneficiary of the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program, which provides software for emerging clean tech companies in North America and Europe.

Conventional incandescent and halogen bulbs convert only 10 percent of their energy into light — the other 90 percent is given off as heat, which is why these bulbs can be extremely hot. The Pearl-30 light emitting diode (LED) bulb is designed to convert a full 90 percent of the energy directly into light, allowing it to shine brightly while giving off very little heat.

Less heat means Pearl-30 has an ultra-long life and can shed light for as much as 70,000 hours — while conventional lightbulbs typically last less than 2,000 hours. The Pearl-30 contains no mercury or lead, and is made with 95 percent recyclable materials. That can save companies as much as $1,500 in replacement costs over the life of the product.

Rapid Iteration with Digital Prototyping

The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program helped PearlLED take advantage of the benefits of Digital Prototyping software such as Autodesk Inventor to rapidly design and engineer the Pearl-30.

After digitally modeling the Pearl-30, the company sends both 2D drawings and 3D digital models — which it manages with Autodesk Vault Professional software — to its suppliers, who benefit from seeing the physical product as it is meant to eventually look. In addition, PearlLED uses Autodesk Showcase software to create near photorealistic 3D marketing materials that help sell its products before they even roll off the manufacturing line.

One of the cornerstones of the Pearl-30’s energy efficiency is a uniquely engineered heat sink capable of evacuating twice as much heat as competing products. Creating the heat sink via extrusion rather than through a more common die-casting process ensures that the aluminum is not porous, giving it better thermal characteristics and providing the best heat-sinking performance.

“We are a relatively small company, and we need to work efficiently, effectively, and quickly,” said Tranh Nguyen, CEO of PearlLED. “Without Digital Prototyping with Autodesk Inventor, and 3D rendering in Autodesk Showcase, it would take us months instead of hours to complete our many iterations. Without Autodesk software, it would simply be impossible for us to properly design our products.”

“Autodesk is pleased to support companies like PearlLED who are rethinking the products we use every day to make them both more eco-friendly and cost efficient,” said Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Autodesk Manufacturing Industry Group. “As the Pearl-30 bulb demonstrates, Digital Prototyping empowers clean tech companies to freely explore their ideas, iterate them, and ultimately bring better products to market faster.”

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pearlled-designs-cool-green-lightbulbs-with-autodesk-inventor-software-2010-09-29?reflink=MW_news_stmp