Ayrton

But the company was driven by an enthusiasm for a light source which – the trio predicted – had the potential to revolutionize the entertainment and architectural lighting world.

Over the last six years, Ayrton’s headquarters and R&D centre, based just south of Paris, has brought together a team of engineering, software, electronics and optics experts with the goal of creating a set of highly innovative fixtures.
The Ayrton story began in earnest with 2002’s launch of the first professional LED moving head luminaire to be developed specifically for the lighting industry. Despite its limited power in comparison to traditional luminaries, the EyeColor captured the imagination of lighting designers and was quickly adopted for a whole range of applications.

Spurred on by the growing market for their products, LED manufacturers began to advance the efficacy of solid-state lighting at a startling rate. Ayrton were well placed to capitalize on this – adding developments of their own to produce major evolutions in its LED head-moving series. With triple the light output of previous models, new generations of the EyeColor range were increasingly seen as a viable alternative to traditional light sources.

After the success of their moving heads, Ayrton used its LED management knowledge to start a new static lighting range for the professional lighting industry. Thus, in 2004, the ModuLED 318 was born. Ayrton quickly realised that the existing power supply units they had adopted from the computer industry were not really suitable for use in the hot conditions produced inside sealed-off products. Their solution was to create a completely new range of electronic power supply, some with integrated thermal control systems designed for high temperature use. Further innovations came with the introduction of internal optics and external filters to create optimal light output and beam angles.

With the rise of the VJ in recent years, integration of lighting and video elements has become a key part of modern nightclub and stage design. LEDs have proved a perfect medium for displaying pixilated video output and once again Ayrton were the first out of the gate with their DreamPanel 256. This modular video panel has a patented internal structure that is designed to sustain heavy loads without any video-screen distortion.

Ayrton continue to invest in modular LED screens and the range now includes products to suit a multitude of applications. Some have been adapted for touring show special effects, while others are more static or architecture oriented. Some of the range is designed for indoor use, while many allow for both internal and exterior installation. The newest addition, the DreamPanel Ghost 256 offers a resolution of 1,820 pixels per square metre, 5,100 nit brightness and a transparency of over 50%. Robust, lightweight and easy to install, the DreamPanel

Ghost can be used to construct screens up to 24 x 9m in size.
Across the Ayrton range, the choice of LEDs and intellegent components used during manufacturing remains key to the final product’s performance. The CMS LED technology used by Ayrton, allows precise pixel mapping and offers visible video output at any angle – even when viewed up close.

Above all, Ayrton’s primary concern is product reliability. The company reorganized its manufacturing structure three years ago, bringing production of all critical components and technology back on to French soil. Their manufacturing facility located 100km north of Paris produces, assembles and tests all vital components (such as electronic boards, LED displays and electronic power supplies) on-site. As well as making it much easier to maintain a consistently high level of quality, the move has increased their control over the entire manufacturing process – making it better able to adapt to new developments that come along.

While the company points to its ISO 9001 certification as proof of its commitment to quality, they also recognise the importance of striking the best balance between reliability and price. In addition to the French operation, Ayrton recently opened a Hong-Kong office to source the manufacture of non-vital plastic moulding elements in South-East Asia.

LEDs themselves are much vaunted as an environmentally friendly lighting solution – but Ayrton have always made environment protection a key part of their manufacturing process. All products anticipated the internationally recognized full RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances) environment standards certification, restricting the use of toxic elements in electronic equipment constructions and have been fully compliant since June 2006

As time has proved, Ayrton’s gamble on LEDs has paid off. Most major luminaire manufacturers now recognise LED fixtures as a valid lighting option.

“Ayrton productions have often been copied, especially our LED moving head luminaires,” says Sébastien Belse Van Malder, spokesman for Ayrton. “These copies are based loosely on our designs but are far from implementing our technology. Ayrton’s philosophy has always been to propose innovative solutions designed for demanding professionals, who give preference to efficiency and quality.”