MicroReflex – Precision Retro-reflectors Redefining Light Control

DBM Reflex Innovation on the Road

DBM Reflex continues to push optical innovation with MicroReflex, a new generation of retro-reflective surfaces engineered to deliver exceptionally precise photometry, refined aesthetics, and optimized manufacturability.

Featuring hexagonal cubes as small as 700 µm, MicroReflex advances the limits of precision retro-reflectivity. Developed and manufactured entirely in-house, this breakthrough gives automotive designers perfect homogeneity, sharper edge definition, and lighter components—without compromising performance.

Why This Technology Matters

Traditional retro-reflective surfaces based on 2.38 mm cubes are reaching their limits for next-generation optical designs:

• Visible cube traces that reduce visual uniformity

• Restricted design freedom for compact, integrated optics

• Increased volume and weight that raise part costs

• Longer molding cycles due to bulkier cavities

MicroReflex removes these constraints, delivering an ideal balance of optical precision, aesthetic design, and industrial efficiency.

What Is MicroReflex?

MicroReflex is a miniaturized array of hexagonal retro-reflectors replicated with sub-micron fidelity to achieve both performance and visual refinement.

Compared with standard Reflex patterns, MicroReflex offers:

• Up to 40% reduction in weight and material volume

• Sharper edge definition thanks to smaller pins

• Greater visual homogeneity through improved pin-to-pin alignment

• Smoother surfaces where individual cubes are nearly invisible

• Reduced lens volume (2.23 cm³ vs 3.72 cm³) enabling faster molding cycles

• No risk of sticking to the mold, ideal for high-throughput mass production

This high-precision microstructure ensures a crisp, optically superior reflective surface—perfect for advanced lighting concepts: rear lamps, integrated optics, and designs with strong visual signatures.

How It Works

Each MicroReflex array is diamond-machined and then electroformed to guarantee perfect cube geometry.
The result: inserts that reproduce surfaces maintaining optimal retro-reflection angles while delivering a smooth, homogeneous visual texture.

This process ensures every cube contributes to uniform luminance and repeatable photometric performance—a key factor for meeting international regulatory standards.

Validated and Ready for Production

Like all DBM Reflex technologies, MicroReflex is designed, prototyped, and industrialized entirely in-house, ensuring total control at every step—from optical simulation to serial tooling.

Already validated under automotive lighting test conditions, MicroReflex delivers:

• Sharper definition of reflective areas

• Consistent appearance from all viewing angles and lighting conditions

• Shorter cycle times and optimized production yield

This next-generation retro-reflector solution is ready for OEM and Tier-1 integration—and will soon be on the road.

Next Steps

DBM Reflex is working closely with partners to integrate MicroReflex into upcoming vehicle programs. Our engineers support development from the earliest phases, providing optical simulations, prototypes, and cost-benefit analyses to accelerate adoption.

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