How does a light pipe overmold work?

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One common production method for light pipes is the overmold . This method uses an inexpensive light diffused plastic overmolded with a black case to generate a light-pipe.

The “Win” keyboard key is one good example.

The “Win” keyboard key

“Win” key appearance to the observer.

The black key body has a hole; during manufacturing, this hole is filled with a white diffuse plastic in a process called overmolding.

The black key body

Light Pipe

The backside of “Win” key contains the diffuse plastic part, which serves to mount the key onto the keyboard and to provide light diffusion.

We then flashed the key underside with a phone flash and you can see the glowing windows logo.

the glowing windows logo

The “Win” key is placed over a phone LED flash making the Windows logo glow.