The Lumenique BLOG

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Stratasys F370 3D Printer for Sale

Stratasys F370 FDM Printer package for sale. First put in service in March 2020. This is a complete package of printer, accessory print heads to print PLA, ABS, PC/ABS, ASA, and flexible TPU materials. Can also print the latest ABS/Carbon Fiber material.

Operates from a standard 120VAC 15A outlet, and requires no special ventilation or other accommodation. Machine makes no noise when idling, and very little when operating (I sit next to it in all operating modes in a closed office space with no issues.) This is a very friendly, hyper reliable, flexible use machine, and is top of the line for model making, prototyping, and small production run uses.

The machine has been serviced and under constant contract with annual PM completed on schedule. Has been operated in a temperature and humidity controlled environment since new. Package also includes soluble support removal tank and line protection UPS power supply, materials, and current maintenance contract paid from Nov 2022 to Nov 2023. Everything included works perfectly and is ready to put into service immediately.

Fade to Black

Having retired from the lighting industry to focus on Photography, this blog has become redundant. Launched in 2008 to explore the topic of emerging solid state lighting technology, which was highlighted in 2010 with the 52 in 52 effort (now 13 years in the rear view mirror.) Over 15 years, this blog has covered lighting technology from my unique perspective, exploring the emergence of LEDs and SSL as it changed the market place and products related, as well as product development topics, 3D Printing, and other topics that came to me along the journey forward.

Since retiring, my time available and interest in contributing to lighting has faded to make room for automotive and motorcycle photography -obviously irrelevant to the purpose of this blog.

Lumenique LLC will continue as the studio site for my photography and art offering as a gallery and customer interface for photography work. The Lumenique storefront will also be closing shop concurrent to this blog’s going dark.

If you find any of the content here of interest, I suggest you download it now, or contact me for copies of materials presented.

If you find anything of interest at the Lumenique Store, now is the time to be bold and make an offer, as I clear the inventory on offer there as well. Use the product code ‘dark‘ to receive a 50% discount on all remaining in-stock art or products at the store.

As of September 2023, this blog site will go dark and the content will be archived or deleted, and removed from public view.

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Use the contact form below to send a message or inquiry directly to me.

I wish everyone in the Lighting Industry my very best. I enjoyed a long and interesting career there. However, the time for change has come in both interest and complete focus.

Best regards,

Kevin Willmorth

Lumenique Turns 25

Signs of aging – taking inventory of things.

The main Lumenique.com web site has been live since 1997, making it 25 years old. The name itself is another decade older.

While Lumenique has always had its roots in lighting, it took a left turn in the late 1990’s into some automotive interests, as well as a few art moments, while I was engaged with lighting companies doing design or marketing (Visa and Kim). When that period ended it returned to represent my Consulting business starting in 2006, with the addition of artworks created that incorporated light (and some that didn’t, as well as some graphics work, etc.). The transition to art interests was made in 2020, and will continue there for the foreseeable future, with growing content on photography as that work evolves.

A nostalgic look at an approach on the main site. I call this the lime green era.

From Applying Light to Recording It

I have retired from lighting application, product design, engineering and marketing as of 2020. I enjoyed a great career that spanned 41 years, from lighting application to product design, through marketing. My experiences have included virtually every aspect of the industry, providing me many opportunities to learn and grow. The application of light – placing it in spaces – to creating products that emit it, has been my passion and focus. This included investing in the development of 3D printer uses in lighting products, which culminated with my presentation at Lightfair 2022 on 3D printing in lighting products.

Designed the lighting, designed the products, photographed the results.

An Organic Career Track

I believe in organic career development. If what you do makes you happy and attracts paying customers – it’s a win. If what you do is enjoyable, but is not creating income, it’s a hobby. If it’s hard work and not completely fulfilling, while producing no revenue – it’s a waste of time. For decades, lighting was both satisfying and attracting customers and employer interest – so I stayed the course. This led to a wonderful exploration of the industry from multiple perspectives that few have experienced. Unfortunately, in contemporary business think, this diversity, entrepreneurship, and length of time in service becomes a liability. Unable to find a good match between my passions in the business with customers or employers, I decided it was time for a change.

The Strategy of Shaming Customers

A meme running around social media that raises an interesting point about how suppliers address their customers.

When the customer says “Can you do it cheaper?”

While humorous on its surface, it raises a few questions:

The reason the meme is funny…

Seeking Opportunities to Contribute

I am actively seeking opportunities to provide products and services in support of those in need of physical product creation or design. I employ a strong sense of the need to keep costs low, while realizing the highest level of craftsmanship in delivered results. I am comfortable working for any size organization, and tailor services to suit requirements. My studio facilities employs the tools of a model shop, which include CAD design, high quality 3D printing (Stratasys F370), manual mill and lathe, woodworking, forging, small glass forming, sheet metal fabrication, finishing, wet paint, and dry powder coating.

Background

My experience spans four decades in the following activities:

Product, Vehicle, Industrial and Art Photography
Prototyping and model making
3D printing for decorative, art sculpture, and prototype end products
Lighting application design (retired)
Lighting product and accessory design and engineering (retired)
Interior and architectural accessory, display, and furniture design (retired)
UV cure systems development and prototype building (retired)
Task light system design and production (retired)
Trade show display design and build-out (retired)
Marketing asset creation, Sales Sample kit development (retired)

My Current Focus

Pricing and Artistic Progress

To Start

I have spent the last many months working on the process of creation in order to allow me to produce more at a more desirable price point for patrons. The result of this considerable effort has been that all of my current works have been re-priced. These are now reflected in the products offered at the Lumenique Studio Store.

Exploration Behind the Curtain

While many artists are rarely concerned about process costs, the ones who manage to survive or make a living at it do. Their is a delicate balance between finding a price that suits customers and managing to cover costs and extract a little to live on – to continue to make new work.

It Is Time for Lighting to Become a Licensed Profession

There are a few folks who are going to hate this post, and I sympathize with them. But, it’s time we stop skirting around what we all know. Lighting needs to be elevated as a profession, and I believe licensure is key to that.

Professional Licensure is a Necessity for Credibility

Architecture, Structural, Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering are licensed professionals, as these practices have the potential for causing harm to human occupants, the environment, and their clients. These professions operate under the guidance and direction of code authorities, and best practices, which establish the foundation for safety, security, and asset protection.

General contractors, and most sub contractors are licenced practitioners. All must pass qualifications of time (including apprenticeship) and academic knowledge.

Behind the Scenes – Art is an Exploration

Art is an exploration of ideas. The operative word here is exploration. This means following paths that are not necessarily well worn, just to see where they lead.

Focus and Development

My collection of sculptural work is a product of developed craftsmanship and process. While many of these have included light sources, my recent works in process do not. Lighted or unlighted, I welcome any opportunity for commissioned work where I can apply the craftsmanship developed over decades toward realizing the desires of customers. This includes art as well as commercial model making.

Retrospective – A Custom Home

I generally don’t reveal details from customer projects publically. My approach has always been that it is the choice of the homeowner to expose their homes, not mine. This has left me at a disadvantage in promoting design services, as many projects I have done the most extensive work on are custom homes. I have made a few exceptions over the years, mainly construction process images of details, or projects in which the owners have later given tours of for various reasons.

When a home is put up for sale, the proverbial cat is out of the bag – so I feel it’s fair to share what is being published at that time.