I have a project that could benefit from the "bars" or individual "segments" used in larger 7-segment displays.

I am hoping those segments are individual plastic light pipes set into the surface of the display package and some number of LEDs lighting each pipe.

My questions:
1) Has anyone ever tried de-potting a 7-segment display to retrieve the segments?
- Anything to watch out for or description of how they are assembled?

2) Has anyone ever seen the individual segments for sale?


I DO NOT WISH TO MUDDLE THIS THREAD WITH ALTERNATIVES/HOME BREW SEGMENT FABRICATION - We have discussed a dozen other options and they are all possible - just not as fast and easy and professional looking (hopefully) as the deconstructed 7-segment display.

 

You didn't say how big, but this one looks like it might be easier to disassemble than the typical ones that you see. Those individual segments must be available somewhere...

http://www.kr4.us/7-segment-red-6-5-display.html

And this is basically an LED segment, but the ends aren't pointed:

http://www.alliedelec.com/kingbrigh...=30980760979&gclid=CNOasO2fns8CFYYfhgodwzALbQ

 

1) Has anyone ever tried de-potting a 7-segment display to retrieve the segments?
- Anything to watch out for or description of how they are assembled?

Can't do it. You can't take parts of the lead frame and the epoxy forming the light pipes is added after the individual LED die are bonded to the lead frame.

2) Has anyone ever seen the individual segments for sale?

You can buy LEDs in bar shaped packages.

 

You didn't say how big, but this one looks like it might be easier to disassemble than the typical ones that you see. Those individual segments must be available somewhere...

http://www.kr4.us/7-segment-red-6-5-display.html

This is really the right direction - now to find the supplier of the segments used in this thing. That is only about $2 per segment - not bad. Originally, we were targeting slightly smaller size (1.25" to 1.75" per segment) but if we have to go this big (about 3" per segment), then we'll have to scale our project.

Thanks for that link.

 

Can't do it. You can't take parts of the lead frame and the epoxy forming the light pipes is added after the individual LED die are bonded to the lead frame.
You can buy LEDs in bar shaped packages.

Do you have a source, Ideally with the pointed ends like in link above.

 

Do you have a source, Ideally with the pointed ends like in link above.

No. I've just seen rectangular LEDs. Jameco has them; 10 in a DIP20 package. I know they made individual LEDs because I have some from the late 70's; I thought Jameco used to sell them, along with some other odd shapes like stars and such.

 

Some LED bulbs for the home have a bunch of LED filaments inside. I saw a recent article in one of my electronics magazines about this. You'll need a higher voltage to run them though.