Can Fresnel Optical Screens Be Used in Motorized Floor Rising Designs?

Fresnel optical fabric have long been recognized for their outstanding ambient light rejection and high image quality. Traditionally, they were considered unsuitable for motorized floor rising (electric floor) screens due to structural limitations. However, with recent developments, some new models have begun exploring this possibility.

1. Structural Challenges

Fresnel screens are composed of layered optical surfaces with a semi-rigid, curved structure. While this provides excellent directional light control, the rigidity of the material makes it difficult to roll or fold smoothly into the compact housing required by a floor rising mechanism. This has been the main barrier to applying Fresnel technology in such designs.

2. Flexibility & Durability Issues

Motorized floor rising screens rely on materials that can be retracted and deployed repeatedly without damage. Fresnel’s limited flexibility increases the risk of surface stress, deformation, or long-term wear when forced to bend or roll tightly. Ensuring durability has therefore been a critical engineering challenge.

3. Long-Throw Fresnel Floor Rising Screen

Recent market developments show that some manufacturers have already introduced Fresnel floor rising models, particularly for long-throw projectors. While these products are still relatively new to the market, they show promise in combining Fresnel’s visual performance with the mobility of a motorized floor screen.

4. High-Brightness & Speckle Concerns

Customers who choose long-throw Fresnel screens typically own high-brightness, premium projectors aimed at delivering a cinema-grade experience. These projectors, however, often bring the side effect of laser speckle. For this reason, anti-speckle technologies still need further enhancement to match the expectations of this demanding user group.

5. UST Fresnel Floor Rising Screens: Still in Development

At present, ultra-short throw (UST) Fresnel floor rising screens are not yet available on the market. Nevertheless, ongoing research and engineering efforts are focused on overcoming the flexibility and durability barriers. This indicates that UST Fresnel floor rising models may become a reality as the technology matures.