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

[espongy]

Can you run this on an Arduino? How? :D

[rriebenbauer]

Hello @ Fug3 have you got switched of the JTAG Interface in the fusebits? And have you checked that you have the right frequency?

[fdiaz9]

Hi there!

I've made a nice app that can control your cube from your computer!
Features:
* RS232 flexibility
* Reliable communication
* Turn on/off individual leds
* Lines
* Send text (certain characters unavailable)

* Audio level meter (PC default output)
* Randomness!
* Shift functions (WIP, buggy)

Any questions, you may ask here or @Mr_JackMerridew

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE .NET 4 INSTALLED

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/22181155/CubeDriver.zip

[rriebenbauer]

Hello! The idea with the app sounds very good. I have buildt the 4x4x4 led cube and have programmed it with the sample programm from cry. But i will use your app so i shoult programm a hex file from you on my atmega 16. But there is a little problem! When i will compile the c programm from your zip. there are a lots of errors. I dont work very good with c so i need the finished hex file please. That would be very nice. Thanks!

[Fug3]

on the legs of the microcontroller does not have a voltage

[Fug3]

I assembled PCB, programmed atmega16, but the LEDs do not work.
I do not understand what could be the problem.
I checked the power supply, checked all the tracks, check resistance.
everything is OK.

[tiantongtt]

It is fortuenately for me to see this.First of all,I love it very much.It is very beautyful.I think you help a lot of people just like me.You are great.I think you should do more like this

[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.

[obsidianjaguar]

Did you get ardunio working?

[Geekaton]

hi
i am 15 and have made my own LED cube, heres a video of how I made it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTZJOy70rrc&list=LL7RW6Py5QalcKDnSCnX9_Dw
let me know if its helpful!

[technicum]

Hi Chr!

I am making the ledcube right now, but i have my doubts about the 1000µF & 10µF capacitor around the LM7805. I doubt whether the 'input C' needs to be as 'big' as 1000µF and the 'output C' only is 10µF, as other schematics found with Google on 'how to hookup LM7805' just use a 100µF C for in- and output.

Can you be clear on your choice of capacitors? As they're only for decoupling (power supply noise reduction).

[WastedBabies]

I contacted BBM2 asking for his PCB board layout so I could have some printed. I used OSHpark and I received 3 boards for around $40 with a turn-around time of 3 weeks. I am very pleased how they turned out and I can wait to finish the project.

[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!

[BBM2]

Lots of people asking for these files.

Attached are two different versions.
1) Is as Pictured above.
2) Is just the controller portion.
Both versions include Eagle Schematic, Board, and .PNG image files.
Enjoy,
-BB

http://www.bnkk.net/LED_Cube/4X4_LED_CUBE.zip

[virsavp]

hi friend ,
can u plzzz share ur pcb layout.

[BBM2]

virsavp,
I will attach my Eagle files here in the next few days.

[shine1202]

awesome

[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 :]

[glen247]

[tur17]

Someone can help me ? I have a big problem, is it possible to programm with AVR Studio and a STK500? I have strange signal on the output of my uController for the transistor 1,17V)...

[дзарков]

So first hello everyone,the instructable is awesome if and i build my cube as well.But something happening first is it normal the capacitor to get really hot I get power from 9v battery and the battery goes a bit hot as well.Why when I connect the cube to the program the chip get hot and the green or red led doesn't do anything.Also when I connect the programmer stay on for 6 or 7 second and then goes of..I know first you will tell me to check my solder job,yes I done it few times,and now I don't know what can be the solution.Thanks a lot everyone

[brujita038]

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

[Nu11X3r0]

Red, red, black, black = 2, 2, 0 * 1ohm = 220ohm. I only correct as some people who read the comments don't have the best grasp of electronics (many probably havn't seen a 3 band resistor. 220k would be: red, red, black, orange = 2, 2, 0 * 1000ohm = 220000ohm or 220k

[mattglas]

Can you run the code from the 8by8 one on to this 4by4?

[dfiala]

Here is my finished cube. The tutorial was great, thank you very much! Now I want to fiddle a bit more with the code, to make it into non disturbing desk decoration. I already managed to customize the 8x8x8 code for this one and I added my own 4x4 font. Will see what I do next! The 8x8x8 is definitely a go for me, although I want it to be controlled by an iPhone instead of the RS232. Imagine an iPhone playing to AirPlay speakers and at the same time visualizing the music onto the cube.. :)

[ecerney]

Did you make the clear box or get it from somewhere. I am looking to make a similar project

[4uguyzz.in]

how can a running characters to it
code??

[virsavp]

friend i dont know how to program a microcontroll can you please send all abt it and codes plzzz....

[castatrooy]

hi i really appreciate that you accomplished this.i am to build a module like this and would appreciate if u could send me the program code.thank you for your anticipated response. ps: e-mail: [e-mail]

[BBM2]

Very Nice Work!

[abkarch]

How long will that battery power the LEDs for?

[dfiala]

Sorry, I haven't made the proper tests yet. But so far, it was running on the batteries for about 3h and everything seems ok.
Although when you connect the AC power supply, you can clearly see the brightness difference (The AC/DC outputs 5.5V).

[zertuchito]

Around how much i will spend in total?

[Zaman]

got my atmega 16 dead after giving this command on avrdude
"avrdude -c usbtiny -p m16 -U lfuse:w:0xef:m"
the avrdude showed the command successful and when i gave next command
"avrdude -c usbtiny -p m16 -U hfuse:w:0xc9:m"
the chip is gone. i used different softwares eXtreme Burner - AVR and Khazama AVR Programmer but both are not decting the m16. ANY SUGGESTIONS.

[Zaman]

yeah got every thing fixed. solution is present in this instructable you just have to look clearly. really ver nice instructable. thanks char.

[Zaman]

finished project.