Iris applications

Wilkes Irises are renowned for their use in TV, film and theatrical lighting as well as in scientific applications.

Listed here are some of the more unusual ways in which Wilkes Iris has contributed to the success of their customers' products and processes. Wilkes Iris is working constantly to develop new uses for their products and welcome all new ideas and enquiries, no matter how bizarre!

"Exterminate!": Film and TV productions have found a multitude of uses for Wilkes irises and not just in their lighting equipment! They have been featured as doors, hatches and shutters. Some of the most memorable of the iris 'appearances' were in the eyes of the Daleks from the early 'Doctor Who' series and in the music video for the James Bond theme 'Licence to Kill'.

Pressure control: Wool-like Bri-nylon was manufactured by feeding a nylon thread into a pressurised steam vessel through a bank of Wilkes irises. They provided a progressive, adjustable, reduction of steam pressure along the length of the thread.

Circular clamping: During production of paintbrushes bristles are gathered together using a Wilkes iris prior to trimming. A similar principle is also used in the production of Christmas crackers. When the car industry needed a way of clamping pistons for X-ray examination Wilkes irises provided the ideal solution.

Microscopy: The Macarther microscope, containing a Wilkes 20.5 standard iris, was taken on the first ascent of Everest and the first moon Landings. It is now used by doctors in developing countries as an effective and affordable way of diagnosing the early stages of some diseases.

Emission control: During the early days of emission control a carbon dioxide measuring device was developed to monitor emissions from factory chimneys. In this hostile environment the device used a Wilkes iris to reliably control a sensor beam of light 24 hours a day.