Temperature Simulation Lighting – Sierra38 Led Tube
Project Overview
This project was developed for an exhibition stand builder who required a visually clear and engaging way to simulate hot and cold water flow using LED lighting. The solution needed to be reliable, easy to install on-site, and suitable for repeated use across multiple shows.
The full system was designed, fabricated, programmed, and tested in-house at 865FabLab in Powell, Tennessee, using components from Wired4Signs USA.
Client Requirement
The client’s key requirements were:
Simulate hot and cold water movement using light alone
Smooth, dynamic color transitions that clearly communicate temperature changes
A plug-and-play system suitable for fast exhibition installs
Minimal on-site wiring and configuration
Professional finish suitable for high-traffic trade show environments
Our Solution
Control & Programming
To achieve smooth temperature transitions and animated flow effects, the system was programmed using ENTTEC OCTO pixel controllers.
At 865FabLab, we:
Programmed color animations to represent hot (warm tones) and cold (cool tones) water flow
Tuned animation speed and brightness for exhibition lighting conditions
Pre-configured addressing and control logic
Built the system to run immediately once powered
This resulted in a fully pre-programmed, show-ready lighting system that required no specialist setup on site.
Controller used:
LED System
We selected the Sierra38 round acrylic LED tube from Wired4Signs USA as the visual backbone of the project. Its clean cylindrical form and uniform light diffusion made it ideal for representing flowing liquid through illuminated pipes.
Each tube was custom-built and configured to deliver consistent light output while supporting pixel-level control for animated effects.
Product used:
Fabrication & Assembly
All fabrication, assembly, and system testing was completed at 865FabLab’s CNC micro-factory in Tennessee.
Our scope included:
Custom tube preparation and assembly
Internal wiring and strain relief
Controller mounting and enclosure preparation
System-level testing before delivery
By delivering the project as a complete system rather than loose components, we significantly reduced installation time and risk for the client.
Installation Benefits
For the exhibition stand builder, this approach delivered several advantages:
Fast, repeatable installation
Minimal on-site electrical work
Reduced risk of wiring or programming errors
Consistent visual results across multiple events
The system was designed so installers could simply mount the tubes, connect power and data, and activate the lighting without additional configuration.
Looking to Build Something Similar?
865FabLab supports designers, exhibition builders, and brands with:
Custom LED lighting systems
Pixel-mapped and dynamic lighting effects
Plug-and-play exhibition lighting
Short-run manufacturing and prototyping
If your project requires lighting that installs easily and performs consistently, we can help take it from concept to show-ready delivery.