Introduction: Christmas Tree LED Holder

About: Community Manager for Instructables and Tinkercad.

I wanted to take a stab at using Tinkercad to make a design that holds a battery and LED using the Glow Circuit. I printed off the Light-up PumpkO'Lantern at Halloween time and thought it would be fun to make a Christmas time design. My goal was to make it fun, simple, and easy to print (around 1 hour).

I came up with a Christmas tree design with simple details and the LED holder glow circuit in the back.

Instructable 368

Supplies


For this you'll need:

  • Tinkercad - you can use any program, but we'll be using the Glow Circuit from the TInkercad Shapes Panel.
  • Coin Cell Batteries that can be used with LEDs
  • 10 mm LEDs

or

  • 5mm LEDs
  • Printer
  • Filament - I used Pine Green, Glow in the Dark Green, and Marble in the examples you see.

Light up Christmas Tree

Step 1: Design - Glow Circuit

To get started with this design, I wanted to bring out the Glow Circuit as the design was going to have to work around it.

I wanted to minimize the footprint of it, so I cut off the excess I didn't need.

At the time of designing this I only had 5mm LEDs, so I added two grooves so I'd be able to easily put 2 5mm LEDs around the battery but could still do 1 10mm one if I wanted to.

I put it on a simple cylinder base.

Step 2: Design - Tree

With the glow circuit ready, I created my tree to work around it. I wanted it large enough to cover the Glow Circuit but not too big that the print would take too long or the light wouldn't be able to illuminate it.

I used simple cylinders, rectangles, and circles to make a tree with a trunk, and have circle ornaments with holes in the center to let the light through. I also made sure there was some definition between the layers of the tree.

I wanted space between the glow circuit and the tree so the light could still get to the bottom ornaments, but I didn't want it too far back that it would make the footprint of it too big.

I also tried to create this so it wouldn't need support.

With the tree and base ready, it was time to print!

Step 3: Finished Print

You shouldn't need any special settings for this as it was designed to print without support, but you should probably do 2 perimeters to make sure those overhangs work.

Once it is printed, pop in your battery and LED(s), and enjoy!

Looks best when you can put it against something light colors so the light really bounces

Step 4:

Anything Goes Contest

Participated in the
Anything Goes Contest