RGB LED Architect Lamp

Some time ago, I saw in here an ible about a laser cut architect lamp (But I can't find it anymore :( ), and I wanted to do one myself.

Then, I got bored after ending my last master's lesson, and I thought about this lamp, so I decided to start making it using Tinkercad.

So here is how to do it !

Step 1: Get Your Idea Straight

I had a neopixel ring lying around, so I thought about using it as a light source.

Also, I wanted this lamp to be quite small, so I decided it would be USB-powered.

Step 2: Design It !

I can't really visualize things in 2D, I need 3 dimensions to make it clear in my mind, so I used tinkercad to create the parts of the lamp.

I uploaded all the svg files I used, but if you want to make your really own, keep on designing it, and go on to the next step !

Step 3: From 3D to 2D

Once you are proud of your 3D model on tinkerkad, you can export it to svg files using "Design>Download for 3D Printing" and the ".SVG" button.

It will create a .SVG file of whatever is in contact with the workplane.

Step 4: Cut It !

Next step, is cutting it !

Here is a CorelDraw file, but there are a lot of pieces, because I can't easily access the laser cutter I use, so I add to cut a lot, "just in case".

You must cut 2 of each junctions, 4 arms, 1 head, and one of each circle. You must also cut the usb-box

Step 5: Build It ! the "arm" Part

First thing first, you must drill some holes in the trapeze pieces, so that the screws won't destroy it.

Then, you can build everything, except the usb-box.

We will focus on the box in the next step.

For the arms, just put a "junction" piece, an arm, and the corresponding other piece. And keep on doing so with the other junctions.

My screws are a bit too long, you should buy some a bit smaller. Speaking of which, you need 3mm diameter screws and the associated nuts (see the pictures). The screw should be around 20mm long, maybe a bit more.

You will also need 2 12mm long self piercing screws to screw the top of the box to the trapezes.

Step 6: Build It ! the Box !

You should now focus on the box.

I forgot to add a hole for the wires, and another one for the button. So I just drilled two holes, one small for the wires, one bigger for the button.

Then, glue together the bottom, and three "walls" : the ones without the hole for the usb.

I also glued the button in its hole right here, because I didn't feel like doing it once everything is soldered.

Finally, screw the top of the box to the lower junction of the arm part.

Now, we can go on with the soldering and coding !

Step 7: Code It !

I uploaded the code to my ATTiny85 through an arduino Uno thanks to this instructable.

You can find the library for the neopixel hee : https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide/arduino-library

The code is pretty basic : at each loop, the code checks if the button has been pressed, increments an integer if it's the case, and calls a functions depending on the value of this integer. Then, after the execution of this function, it loops again.

There are three variables, valLight, dividee and divider, to control how "powerful" the leds are. I chose values quite small, but don't hesitate to change it.

Note : There should be a possibility to add interruptions to the code... But I let that for my next project ;)

Step 8: Solder It !

Now, you can go to the soldering part.

On the neopixel ring, solder a red wire to the +5V, a black one to the ground, and a green (for example, I wanted white at first... but things happen) to the data input.

On the usb part, I soldered 2 small wires to each ground and +5V. It should have been 3 wires to the ground.

Then, solder everything to the attiny : the +5V (from the usb +5V), the ground (from the usb too), the data input of the neopixel ring (pin 0), the button (pin 2 in my code).

Finally, solder the other pin of the button to the ground (Do you understand why the 3 wires on the USB ground ? :) )

Step 9: Glue It !

Now, you can just glue the remaining parts, especially the circle in top of the light. Just make a sandwich with a thin paper between the two circle parts.

Finally, enjoy your wonderful lamp.

(side note : I made it in parallel with some school project, so I did not take a lot of photos. In case a step is not clear enough, just tell me, I will add explanations :) )

/!\ I entered the full spectrum contest. If you liked my project, please consider voting for it ! :) /!\