Fun project including multiple technologies
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updated January 21, 2023

Description

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This is a fun and easy project that involves electronics, 3D printing and laser/CNC engraving.

This model supports fully open source workflow

CAD: FreeCAD

Laser-cutting: Inkscape or DXF2Gcode, Universal Gcode Sender

3D printing: Cura or Prusa Slic3r

3D printed base:

The base is designed to fit 3mm acrylic sheet. (+0.1mm clearance in design) 3 different lengths are attached.

V2.0 is for 15cm, V2.1 is for 18cm and V2.2 is for 9cm long acrylic sheet.

The CAD design was moved to FreeCAD to make it more accessible to everyone. It is fully parametric (see image of the table) so you can create any size for your specific sheet and LEDs.

V3 design has an in-built voltage regulator (AMS1117 3.3v) which allows using more common and cheaper 3.3v LED strips. It also includes a clip-in USB wire plug, so gluing the wire is no longer necessary.

V3.0 is for 15cm, V3.1 is for 18cm and V3.2 is for 9cm long acrylic sheet.

Acrylic sheet:

3mm Acrylic sheet is cut to size.

  • using hand tools is no problem, just a bit slow
  • when using power tools be careful not to scratch the sheet or melt it with the heat from the blade.
  • CO2 lasers can do the cutting for you

Laser Cutting:

There are 3 dxf files provided;

  • rose pattern
  • roadrunner pattern
  • Original Lion pattern created by UnpredictableLab which was projected to 2D dxf:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3107831

  • To create your own pattern use canvas feature in Fusion 360 to trace an image.
  • There are many sites online that share/sell dxf files
  • Open source route:
    - any image can be processed in Inkscape with “trace bitmap”. Useful laser cutter extensions are “J-tech photonics laser tool” and “KM laser”. See pdf guide for steps.
    - DXF files for laser cutting work great with DXF2Gcode (I attached the configuration files for my diode laser as an example) See pdf guide for steps.

NOTE: diode lasers cannot engrave transparent things, for that you need to paint the surface black (preferably water colour to wash off when done).

If you don't have access to a laser cutter or CNC you can use a multi-tool (Dremmel) and engrave manually with a printout under the sheet.

Electronics:

The base is designed for 9mm wide LED strip that slides in from the side. The strip is powered via USB or battery pack. The USB can be used from any old computer mouse or keyboard. It allows the lamp to be used from both computer port or phone charger as shown in the images.

Note: depending on voltage rating of your LEDs you might need resistors. I used 100 Ohms SMD on the strip. Or use V3 with the voltage regulator.

Assembly

V2

Solder the LED strip (with optional resistor) to the battery pack or USB. Slide the electronics into the base and fix with glue.

V3

Slide the plug onto the USB cable, then solder the regulator input side. Use a short piece of wire and connect the regulator output to the LED strip. Slide the electronics into the base and clip in the plug.

Updates:

Edit July 29 2022: More files and CAD model added with extra guidance

Edit Jan 21 2023: Base V3 model added

Have fun printing and building!

this file was imported from my other profiles (outdated versions):

myminifactory: https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-86572

thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3734480

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Model origin

The author marked this model as their own original creation. Imported from Thingiverse.

License