You ensure a low Vce by driving the base hard. Since "hard" is a relative term most engineers start with a value of 10, or 1/10th the collector current as the base current. I have had cases where there was a light collector current so I found 1/20 was ok.
Using 1/10 is referred to as a forced beta. If you need more than that current in the base your transistor isn't really giving you any gain at all.
Transistors only get specified at a few typical places unless there is a nice graph to follow, but the graph will give you typical numbers, where the listed data gives you min and/or max limits.
Also, remember that something must supply this base current so make sure it can handle that load.
Using 1/10 is referred to as a forced beta. If you need more than that current in the base your transistor isn't really giving you any gain at all.
Transistors only get specified at a few typical places unless there is a nice graph to follow, but the graph will give you typical numbers, where the listed data gives you min and/or max limits.
Also, remember that something must supply this base current so make sure it can handle that load.