Introduction: Build Your Own 4x4x4 RGB LED Cube
LED Cubes are awesome. The first one I created was a 8x8x8 blue led cube. It still works like a charm. But being able to display every colour in the spectrum is much more spectacular. Let's start with a small and simple 4x4x4 RGB LED Cube.
Step 1: Watch Part 1 of the Video Series!
As you might have noticed, part 1 concentrates on the cube itself and the case. No electronics yet. The video should already give you plenty of details. But I will give you a short list of parts that you will need to build the cube itself.
Step 2: Order the Parts for the Cube!
Here you can find a parts list with example seller (affiliate links):
Ebay:
RGB LEDs Common Anode: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Silvered Copper Wire (Bridge Wire):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Solder: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Ribbon Cable:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Amazon.de:
RGB LEDs Common Anode: http://amzn.to/1cjetjZ
Silvered Copper Wire (Bridge Wire):http://amzn.to/1cjeHaH
Solder: http://amzn.to/1lHSJ48
Ribbon Cable: http://amzn.to/1m8P3JA
Aliexpress:
RGB LEDs Common Anode: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZ2unDY
Silvered Copper Wire (Bridge Wire): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6ClzWi
Solder: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTGclAw
Ribbon Cable: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXkghb4
Step 3: You Finished the Cube and Case!
Congrats on your finished cube and case. It should now look a little bit like mine in the picture. Go ahead and test all connections with a power supply. If everything works fine you can go ahead and build the electronics in the next steps.
Step 4: Watch Part 2 of the Video Series!
The video gives you plenty of info on how to build the controller for the cube. In the next step I will give you the schematic for the circuit and the part list.
Step 5: Order the Parts for the Controller and Solder It!
Here you can find a parts list with example seller (affiliate links)
Ebay:
DC Jack:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Switch:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Potentiometer (10k):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Arduino Nano:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
TLC5940:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Resistor Kit:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Power Supply (5V, 2A):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
IRF9540N P-Channel MOSFET:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Capacitor Kit:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Prototyping PCB: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Amazon.de:
DC Jack:http://amzn.to/1Ed1hrt
Switch: http://amzn.to/1vi1UsA
Potentiometer (10k): http://amzn.to/1nRws1J
Arduino Nano: http://amzn.to/1d4H1w1
TLC5940: http://amzn.to/1rVmQZC
Resistor Kit: http://amzn.to/1gt9XPf
Power Supply (5V, 2A): http://amzn.to/1rUJuQN
Capacitor Kit: http://amzn.to/1yE71u3
Prototyping PCB: http://amzn.to/1rVpcI9
Aliexpress:
DC Jack: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6cVZVl
Switch: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d9dxPD5
Potentiometer (10k): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF
Arduino Nano: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dULoNXh
TLC5940: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7bKqAI
Resistor Kit: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTPpXjt
Power Supply (5V, 2A): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7d5TO6
Capacitor Kit: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dU4FEsB
Prototyping PCB: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXx2Zv5
Step 6: Upload the Arduino Code and Test the Cube!
Download the code for the LED Cube. This is already my updated version of the code which I showed in part 3 of the video series. Be sure to watch this part as well to get an idea how the code works.
Attachments
Step 7: Watch Part 3 of the Video Series!
This time it is all about optimisation. You may get a better understanding of the code if you watch the video carefully.
Step 8: New Animations!
Here you can get some new animations which were created by a viewer.
Visit his channel here:
Attachments
Step 9: Success!
You did it. You just finished your own 4x4x4 RGB LED Cube. Feel free to develope the code in more creative ways than I did. And feel free to share those new creations.
Feel free to check out my Youtube channel for more awesome projects.
https://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab
You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes informations.