I would like to try and build an LED curing light for composite filling materials. there are commercial units available but the cost is very high (600-1000$). It may just be my ignorance of the subject, but due to the size (they look like a small electric toothbrush with a single 5mm led where the bristles should be, and some rechargable batteries in the handle). unfortunately they are sealed so a look inside is out of the question. I think the high cost may be partly due to the name Dental in the title. Looking at the chargers that are included it appears that the enclosed batteries are in the 3.6-6V. range. they also have automatic timers and beepers which may also be part of the cost, but just an on off button switch would work just fine. The specs. needed to cure the material are as follows 470nm, at least 200mw/sq. cm. of power which unfortunatly does not translate well with the output measurements of the LEDs. I suspect however that the LEDs they use are stock units (but VERY bright ones however). Can an LED be run directly from the battery with an appropriate resistor, or would some type of driver be required? Any suggestions on an appropriate LED, brand, type, designation? In this application would any heat sinking be required on the LED legs? if so how is this usually accomplished? The LED would be enclosed in about a 8-9mm diameter tip sealed with a glass or plastic covering over the tip. Is my lack of knowledge of LED technology leading me to believe that this type of project is a lot simpler than it really is? thanks for any help.
I'm fairly sure those things don't use LEDs. Other than that, i have no idea. Find someone that sells them, and read their spec sheet or call their tech support.
There are led versions, and they're claimed to have some advantages over halogen light & other methods. Some info here a quick skim of the technical paper shows a heat-sinked blue with a fibre-optic light guide. Depends a bit on what sort of stuff you want to cure - for dental work a battery-operated precision device will work, but for non-body work, a blue luxeon run from a wall-wart supply would be cruder but cheaper.
