Animated Paper Circuits

An interactive "live" animation that responds to touch without any programming!

This is a really fun project and could be incorporated into a book or a greetings card, and also e-textiles, or many more surfaces. There are more examples of pieces I have made on my blog: http://blog.beccarose.co.uk/tag/book-art/

You will need:

LEDs (surface mount or other)

3V coin cell

Copper tape

Paper

Binder clip

Adhesive

Soldering equipment /or/ tape

Step 1: Choose an Animated Sequance

You should have as many frames in the animation as you have LEDs. In my example I used 5 frames of a bird flying, and 5 LEDs. Once you have decided what you will animate, draw it onto thick(ish) paper (I have used construction paper in this example, but you could use cardstock), and use a craft knife to cut it out (or use a vinyl / laser cutter if you have one handy!).

Step 2: Fold Your Switch on the LED Page

Step 3: Fold You LED Page in Half

Step 4: Cut Your Frame Page to Size

Step 5: Cut Out Your Frames

Use an craft knife to cut out the animated sequence you chose in step 1

Step 6: Add LEDs

Mark everything out in pencil first.

To get the position of the LEDs, position your frame page on top, and make a small pencil mark at the center of each cut-out frame.

Lay copper tape as in the diagram -note that if you have any breaks in the tape you will need to solder, as most copper tape is only conductive on one side.

Add a small piece of card to connect the battery to the switch. This can be glued or taped.

Step 7: Add Battery and Clip

Step 8: Sandwhich Frames

The LEDs will be at the back, with the frames in the middle, and a blank page at the front...for the magic to happen!

Step 9: Turn Out the Lights and Animate!