Material textures neon Flash Flashing on/off expresso?

Pardon my rash of questions. I am working on a large project.
am sure this is old hat by posts I have seen.


1. what is the simple answer to flash a neon material/texture-not lights, on and off.I ask this in case I cannot work it out.

2. To have this animate for at least over 1000 frames? using expresso?

3. with an expresso rig for actual light/visibilty already set, how in expresso would I add the material-texture to go on or off.

I used a flashing lights tut as a guide-but objects are spline/tubes(Sweep nurbs)with Neon material.

Basicallly how can I substitute the material for the light visibility
as in this tut--- http://www.jonnychapps.com/create-flashing-lights-in-cinema-4d/
I thought it easier to use material channels than to create actual lights.

There are 9 splines of tubes grouped in three's, and each group of three is separate flash on/off.
Pretty sure expresso is required for controller,and have not gotten
to that point yet in learning.

Am grateful for COW and appreciate any assist.