LED Cube 4x4x4

Amazing 3 dimensional LED display.

64 LEDs makes up this 4 by 4 by 4 cube, controlled by an Atmel Atmega16 microcontroller.
Each LED can be addressed individually in software, enabling it to display amazing 3d animations!

8x8x8 LED cube now available, by popular demand:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Led-Cube-8x8x8/

Step 1 What you need

First of all, you need quite a bit of time to solder together 64 leds ;)

Knowledge list:

• Basic electronics and soldering skills
• Know how to program an AVR microcontroller - I will not cover that in this instructable.

Component list:

• Protoboard. The type with copper circles.
• Atmel AVR Atmega16 microcontroller
• Programmer to program the Atmega16
• 64 Leds
• 2 status leds. I used red and green. (optional)
• Max232 rs-232 chip, or equivalent.
• 16 resistors for leds. (100-400ohms) will get back to this.
• 2x resistor 470 ohm. for status leds
• 1x resistor 10k
• 4x resistor 2.2k
• 4x NPN transistor BC338 (or other transistor capable of switching 250-ish mA)
• 1x 10uF capacitor
• 1x 1000uF capacitor
• 6x 0.1uF ceramic capacitor
• 2x 22pF ceramic capacitor
• 1x crystal 14.7456 MHz
• 2x tactile button
• optional pwr switch
• connector for 12v power
• optional connector for 5v power

Comments

[zlatan910]

Excellent Instructable. Very well documented. I finished the project just 4x4x4 LED CUBE. I wanted to show off photos and videos. I invite you to our Polish forum where I also described the entire project. http://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?p=10362419 # 10362419 They are currently preparing for the 8x8x8. Thanks chr!

FILM - > http://youtu.be/UlwYMZzmPik

 

[brujita038]

What is JP1, JP2, S1 and S2 ? I'm confused with the diagram and the photo of the circuit

[BBM2]

Excellent Instructable. Very well documented.
Here is our first try. We made our own PCB rather than using perf-board.
We are now building an 8x8x8 cube with home made PCB's as well.
Thanks chr!

[brujita038]

What kind of Leds did you use ?

[BBM2]

Here are the LED's we use:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/270844900187?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

-BB

[brujita038]

Thanks :]

[fanqingguo]

Hello ! I come from china , i have been concerned about this for a long time , have always wants to be a hardware almost pick good .
Could the procedures issued i reference ? If it is possible . This is my e-mail boxes 358580653 @ qq.com thank you

[brujita038]

I opened the file "main.c" in the folder 4x4x4_ledcube in AVR Studio 5 but does not appear the option to compile .. Someone could help me with that please, because I have little experience in this program.

[jyraff]

Hello! Who can give me a PCB file/image? Thank you.

[brujita038]

Can anybody tell me where are connected the transistors ? because in the simulation only say "To cube cathodes", but how ? In all cathodes or in the first LED of each floor .. Please explain me

[andrisarkameru]

Hi.
This is an awsome instructable.

I was wondering is it possible to do the same with Arduino chip instead of atmega16? There would be needed a change of code, but as far as I understand it, I would need only to reprogram the part where you give the chip a write command. And probably a bit different resistor values for the leds (since arduino has different max output)

Am I right? Thanks in advance.
P.s. I'm a beginner waiting for it's first Arduiono set to arrive.

[longfinmako]

you can indeed use an arduino for this cube (you will need 20 outputs and arduino has 21). i am planning myself to build one like this with an arduino, so if you have another question, you can always ask me if needed (for programming orso...) you will need to experiment a bit yourself for the resistor values but i do recommend to have an external power source so your cube can run without your computer.

I hope i helped you a little with this, and i wish you a lot of fun in arduino world

[andrisarkameru]

Thank you for your response.
I am currently still waiting for my first arduino to arrive.

Right now I am planning to start with a sound / IR barrier triggered and custom delayed remote for my DSLR. After that or at the same time will be building the cube. Probably will have some questions, so thank you for reccomendations.

Good luck in future projects.

[brujita038]

Do you use 220k ohms or 220ohms ? because these blue resistors looks like 220k, not 220

[steph1234]

do we need to do IC3 if we don t use 8-15v ?

[steph1234]

hi
do we nedd to do IC3?or avr supplies the cube?

[cool_jr]

Can the 7805t be substituted with a different voltage regulator (any equivalents that will work)??

[albinvadakkekara]

is there any substitution for the Bc 338 transistor?

[niksydaz]

bc337 works and did u get the c code right?? i couldn't build it through avrstudio plz help

[BBM2]

We used BC337.
As the Author stated pretty much any NPN rated at or above 250mA will do.

[niksydaz]

hi this is a nice project ,,,,but i get some errors in c code while building them..some errors are
1...../effect.c:42: error: 'spinning_line' undeclared (first use in this function)
2..../effect.c:412: error: expected ')' before 'iterations'
there are total of 6 errors at the building time...

[hoodkicks]

Quote:
MCUCSR |=(1<MCUCSR |=(1<
If using the Main.c file Make sure to add the following code before your while(1) loop otherwise port c2, c3, c4, and c5 wont light up

[magicthegathering]

I really appreciate this indestructible. I have never put together an electronics project but would really love to start learning now. I am having trouble understanding the schematic and was wondering where a good place to start is? I know it might be funny attempting to build this with no knowledge, but I have to start somewhere. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Nitemare]

start out with something small, maybe a 3 by 3 array so you can understand the basics. then try with some basic soldering, you'll need a lot of practice before you can get the cube going, and it will help to know what you're doing if you want your cube to come out clean.

[Paulogp]

Boa Noite,
É assim eu estou a estudar em Portugal e tou a acabar o meu curso, mas falta-me um projecto e o meu professor aconselhou-me este. Mas o problema é que não consigo associar para Pro e fazer o download do PDF?
Ajudem-me por favor!!!

[ksowden]

OK so i just built this and enabled the external crystal and disabled jtag and downloaded the 4x4x4 hex file to my atmega164p and only 2 leds light up in the cube and they just stay a solid blue, and also the red and green lights don't light up or blink, i can not seem to figure out whats wrong, any help is appreciated.

[oldsmarracin]

awesome instructable i just need help on one thing. is 220ohm good for these leds?
- RoHS : Yes
Life Rating : 100,000 Hours
Emitted Colour : Blue
Size (mm) : 5mm
Lens Colour : Water clear
Peak Wave Length (nm) : 460 ~ 470
Forward Voltage (V) : 3.0 ~ 3.4
Reverse Current (uA) : <= 30
Luminous Intensity Typ Iv (mcd) : 6000(Typical) ~ 8000(Max)
Viewing Angle : 20~25 Degree
Max Power Dissipation(PM): 80mW
Max Peak Forward Current(IFP): 75mA
Lead Soldering Temperature : 240 Degree (<5Sec)
Operating Temperature Range : -25 ~ +85 Degree
Preservative Temperature Range : -30 ~ +100 Degree

[mortaldoom780]

Very nice instructable! I decided to make one of these, and it turned out pretty nice! The software you've written is pretty neat; hopefully I can start developing my own patterns for it soon once I begin to understand your code! Here's a picture of the finished product:

[mortaldoom780]

It looks like I just fried the 2N4401 transistors I was using though...not sure how...?

[mateuszrjzr]

hello
I know, that last post was in 2008, but can you explain me why when i'm klicking "4x4x4_ledcube.hex" suddenly i am downloading something like : F6JRI6AFJ1I6CP0.tmp???? please so much help me...

[Roshan25]

you need to rename int to 4x4x4_ledcube.hex

[cool55tcars]

what is the blue jumper pin used for that is by the switch and ribbon cable connector???

[chempie]

I think that it is an alternate power connector for the circuit. I think that you can use that or the 8-15V connector. The 8-15 power connector would probably be better as it will regulate the voltage on the board.

[JozefBachan]

Please, if someone have PDF of this please, contact me.

[jeo2121]

my Email [e-mail],I have

[cvcity]

Hey, can you help me, i need some schematic with pic16f628a to make a project to school. Help me please

[00bunge00]

Did you have to build the TinyASP?

[valdis034]

could you tell what viewing angle and how much mcd has your leds. I am asking because i am afraid that they can be too bright.

[00bunge00]

Im making this for an electrical college project, and am researching different types of LEDs. Has anyone tried using "superbright" LEDs? if so, does it make much of a difference? thanks

these are the LEDs in question: http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Superbright-10mm-LED-64871/?sid=90d51b1d-a731-4a78-bf1e-b26e2495ab34

[cbaabc73]

Want to say thanks for a great instructable! With a little research and some tinkering I was able to build this on the first try. Still don't quiet get the c code so right now just running the default hex code but it still a bunch of fun. Thanks again for the great instructable! now for the 8x8x8... maybe. P.S. Sorry for the poor picture quality