Introduction: Smart Assistant Speaker + Lamp (3D Printed DIY Google Home / Amazon Alexa)
This build was intended to be a combination of a smart speaker (run by Google Assistant) and a smart lamp (Philips Hue light bulb) however, this was quite an ambitious build so the design work could use some refining and for that reason I have included the Fusion 360 design files in case you want to make modifications. This can be completed in a number of variations but I am going to document just my steps but feel free to improvise wherever you like. This is a combination of 3D printed parts (enclosure mostly) and an assembly of various components but I also opted to try my hand at Hydro-dipping the base for a cool metal finish - this is strictly optional and I will call it out in the materials list and instructions in case you want to skip this. No specialized tools are required and a 3D printer is not required - you can utilize a print service such as 3DHubs.com to obtain the 3D printed parts from a local printer.
Step 1: What You Will Need
Materials:
- 3D Printed Shade
- 3D Printed Base
- 3D Printed Base Back
- 3D Printed Light Fixture
- Hydro-dip kit (optional)
- Smart Light Bulb
- Light Kit
- Raspberry Pi 3
- Micro SD Card
- Raspberry Pi 3 Power Supply
- Sound Card for Raspberry Pi (probably optional)
- Speaker (feel free to recycle a speaker you already have though you will need to modify the base design)
- Microphone
- Primer
- White Spray Paint (substitue your desired color)
- Clear Coat
- Glue
- Sanding Paper
Tools:
- Orbital Sander (optional)
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Step 2: Recommendations
I’d recommend taking some time to look at the project and see if you want to change anything ahead of time and plan around those changes. I specifically would look at some of the design issues with this particular build and suggest designing a new base with the speaker facing forward instead of downward. Installing the software onto the Raspberry Pi is not advanced but it does require some level of technical expertise. I would suggest going with Amazon Alexa since that has been out for some time and most likely has the best beginner instructions available.
Step 3: Installing Smart Assistant
If you intend to install Google Assistant - follow these instructions:
https://developers.google.com/assistant/sdk/overview
https://www.instructables.com/id/Hands-Free-Google...
If you intend to install Amazon Alexa - follow these instructions:
https://github.com/alexa/alexa-avs-sample-app/wiki/Raspberry-Pi
Step 4: 3D Printed Parts
If you are sourcing your 3D printed parts, I’d suggest a local printer on 3D Hubs so you can pick up your printed pieces without having to risk shipping. Be sure to communicate the below settings when placing your order:
Base and Back (decent surface quality to limit amount of sanding needed)
- Filament choice not really important
- 0.2mm layer height
- 15-20% infill
- No Support
- Brim optional
Shade (decent surface quality to limit amount of sanding needed)
- Translucent light filament (eSun Natural HIPS is a good choice)
- 0.1 or 0.2mm layer height
- 10% infill
- No Support
- Brim optional
Light Fixture
- Filament choice not really important
- 0.2mm layer height or higher
- 10% infill
- No Support
- Brim optional
Step 5: Finishing 3D Printed Shade
- Remove any brim if necessary.
- Sand shade to the desired smoothness. Start with 220 or 320 grit and move up until you have a nicely smooth part without visible print lines.
- Wipe the sanded parts with a lightly damp cloth or paper towel.
- Once the parts are dry, evenly apply clear coat.
Step 6: Finish & Dip 3D Printed Base
- Remove any brim if necessary.
- Sand shade to the desired smoothness. Start with 120 and move up to 320 grit and continue sanding until you have a nicely smooth part without visible print lines.
- Use putty to fill any remaining defects.
- Sand down any spots where putty was applied until surface is smooth.
- Wipe the sanded parts with a lightly damp cloth or paper towel.
- Evenly apply primer to the parts.
- Once primer has dried, lightly sand primer and wipe down.
- At this point you can paint the parts and move to clear coating OR use base paint coat prior to hydro-dipping your part.
- Follow hydro-dipping instructions to add a graphic to your pieces.
- This involves filling up a container of water between 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cutting film to necessary dimensions and apply tape to the border.
- Placing film into water for 60 seconds while removing any bubbles or creases.
- Spray film lightly with activator.
- Dipping part at 30 degree angle to apply graphic (submerge completely)
- Rinsing under water for 3-5 minutes to remove residue/coating.
- Once the parts are dry, evenly apply clear coat.
Step 7: Assembly
- Glue the light kit into the 3D Printed fixture so it remains supported and upright.
- Install speaker into base while maintaining enough wire to connect to Raspberry Pi.
- Glue light fixture into base by placing the arms into the grooves in the base on either side.
- Screw in light bulb to light kit and fixture assembly.
- Wire up Raspberry Pi with all components attached. Follow instructions for HAT if using one.
- Run wires out the back of the base and slide in the back.
- Lightly glue with hot glue gun the shade to the base once everything has been installed.
- Plug in lamp and Raspberry Pi.
- Connect the power connector to the wall and enjoy your new Smart Speaker/Lamp!
Step 8: Wrap Up
Thanks for checking out the DIY Google Home + Lamp build! If you enjoyed it, I post monthly builds using 3D printing on my website, https://www.adylinn.com/builds/.