A light pipe may be used to illuminate an elongated area. The optical fiber ferrules support optical pathways and have front ends with mating geometries that facilitate a relatively high number of matingunmating cycles. A carriage member with attached platform member is movably mounted to the linear guide member adjacent the frame. The mean particle size of this aluminum powder is preferably in the range of 1. The feeding aid includes a feeding implement, an anchor device for fixing the feeding aid to a surface and a resilient member connecting the feeding implement to the anchor device.