Oat Foundry is celebrating a huge milestone! Since 2017, our Split Flap test board has been flipping nonstop; quietly proving what analog, precision-built hardware can do over time. Every rotation represents durability, engineering rigor, and a commitment to building products meant to last for decades. These 50,000,000 rotations represent 300 years of use for our average Split Flap owner.
The Longevity of Kinetic Split Flap Displays
Kinetic displays such as Split Flaps draw a fraction of the power and energy needed to run video walls and digital screens. Here’s an overview of the sustainable design and functionality of our displays:
- A Picture Flap display requires 25× less power consumption than competing LED video walls.
- Our displays produce only about 194 BTU of heat, compared with up to 5,800 BTU from LED video walls.
- A typical Oat Foundry Picture Flap display uses just 195W max power, compared with 1,700–5,040W for LED alternatives.
- Rated for 660,000+ operating hours, compared with 100,000–150,000 hours for typical LED displays.
- Built to last — our shop Split Flap display has been running nonstop for the equivalent of 250+ years.
With no broken pixels and minimal upkeep (think a few dustings per year), kinetic displays such as Split Flap, Picture Flap, and Chroma Flap provide a stylish, sustainable alternative to power-hungry installations.
In the video here, Senior Sales Representative Colleen Wilson brings us through the 50 millionth rotation of our shop Split Flap.
Picture Flap vs. LED Walls
In a comparison of Oat Foundry’s Picture Flap with standard LED walls, here are the average power stats:
- A comparable LED wall can consume up to 5,040W, while Picture Flap uses just 195W maximum power.
- Up to 30× less heat output from Picture Flap, generating only 194 BTU compared to 5,800 BTU from LED video walls.
- 4–6× longer operational lifetime for Picture Flap, rated for 660,000+ hours compared to 100,000–150,000 hours for LED alternatives.
- Dramatically lower idle power usage — just 43W resting power compared to 1,100W–1,372W typical power for LED walls.
Ideal for donor walls, statement walls, and 3D “flipbook” signage, Picture Flap is a versatile display that uses movement and subtle sound to draw attention.
Picture Flap and Split Flap Power Usage
Oat Foundry’s Split Flap power stats:
- A 3×16 Split Flap display uses about 0.87 kWh per day during typical operation.
- A larger 5×24 Split Flap display uses roughly 1.9 kWh per day.
- Even a very large 10×32 Split Flap display uses only ~4.7–4.9 kWh per day.
Best used as interactive menus, office message boards, analog art, and dynamic signage, Split Flap has been a hit with organizations such as Nespresso’s NYC retail flagship, Kaeserberg Railways, Starbucks, and Salesforce.
Oat Foundry’s Picture Flap power stats:
- Picture Flap displays produce ~132–666 BTU, depending on size.
- Picture Flap displays operate on as little as ~0.7–1.4 kWh per day, depending on change frequency.
Ideal for universities, office lobbies, and stadiums, Picture Flap has been a popular choice with organizations such as the Toronto Blue Jays, the University of Arizona, Best Friends Animal Rescue, and Ralph Lauren.
With a Split Flap, Picture Flap or Chroma Flap kinetic wall installation, never worry about a digital screen going AWOL again.
A dimensional, sustainable analog sign draws attention with motion and subtle sound to draw attention in otherwise static or heavy digital spaces.
Use Case: Sustainable Statement and Donor Walls
A branded donor wall with a Picture Flap at its center is the perfect example of sustainable, modern design.
Picture Flap donor walls using Picture Flap or Split Flap can be updated instantly without replacing physical materials, reducing the need for new plaques, engraving, or construction. This helps institutions avoid material waste over decades of fundraising campaigns.
As kinetic displays operate with very low energy consumption compared to LED screens, helping institutions maintain recognition installations that align with campus sustainability and energy reduction goals.
Best Friends Resource Center selected a custom Picture Flap display as the centerpiece of their giving story. Pictured: 4 Row x 8 Column display.
The University of Arizona uses a custom-built, 5 Row x 7 Column Picture Flap to show school pride and rotate through key university imagery.
Each Oat Foundry display is built to order, which means that every sign is made with each client’s branding and customizations.
Use Case: Eco-Friendly Experiential Marketing
Split Flap and Picture Flap are both ideal for experiential marketing that captures attention without drawing considerable energy, with benefits such as:
- Capturing attention in a sea of digital screens
- Gamifying booths and presentations
- Blend effortlessly with modern architecture and organic materials
- Create movement and engagement
While best used in permanent installations, displays can also be equipped for trade shows and conferences for:
- K-12 schools and universities, such as Walden University, looking to reach prospective students.
- Enterprise groups who are designing an immersive experience at an annual conference, such as Salesforce at Dreamforce 2023.
- Public installations needed to bring movement and energy into otherwise static spaces, such as John Peña’s analog art display at the Pittsburgh International Airport.
Learn more about all of the real-world applications for experiential marketing on our Projects page.
A custom Split Flap or Picture Flap display is perfect for experiential activations, such as Salesforce’s Dreamforce installation.
The Walker Center uses a custom Split Flap display as a dynamic interactive concierge that displays building, event, and weather updates.
The HAVI Group uses a custom, large Picture Flap display as a kinetic brand wall, showcasing key imagery and company highlights to drive engagement and focus in the lobby.
Use Case: Low-Energy Lobby Branding
When lobby messaging evolves through new campaigns, leadership changes, research initiatives, or branding updates, Split Flap and Picture Flaps can adapt. Consider the creative use of our analog displays at:
- The front desk at Philadelphia’s Fitler Club, where a 5 Row x 32 Column black Split Flap rotates through brand messaging and events
- The elevator bay at 1333 in Dallas, Texas, where the 6 Row x 24 Column lobby signage posts building updates for residents
- The header of 325 Main, The Kendall Center, in Cambridge, where a 7 Row by 168 Column transit display integrates with local apps to show upcoming buses and trains
- The foyer of Carolina Timberworks, where a 4 Row x 16 Column Split Flap represents the brand’s values in handcrafted, bespoke design
- The entrance of Grow With Google, where a Modern White 9 Row x 40 Column custom display uses color and text to communicate the visual language of the iconic brand
Learn more about all of the real-world applications for sustainable design in offices and hotels.
Get Started with Oat Foundry
The first step in creating a sustainable Oat Foundry Split Flap or Picture Flap is through a live demo with our talented sales team. On this 20-minute demo, clients can ask questions and discuss their vision, where our sales team will show our kinetic displays in real-time, provide expertise about interior branding and experiential marketing, and effectively envision and plan how to integrate reimagined analog tech into their space.
As a bonus, you get to play with some seriously cool analog tech! See your brand name on the Split Flap and watch how the board brings static messaging to life.