Introduction: DIY Portable Counterfeit Money Detector and Torch

By @CarmelitoA
About: Born as a farmer, studied electronics ,working as a Consultant and a 3D printing enthusiast by night..

Instead of buying one of those expensive Counterfeit Money detectors ,make your own using a couple of Ultraviolet LED’s a coin cell battery and 3D print the parts attached in Step 2, which fits nice and snug in your Wallet/Purse.

The two 3D printed the parts are about 4 credit cards thick and double up as a torch which you can use to protect yourself tripping over things in the dark.

Watch the short video above for the direction on how to use the Portable Counterfeit Money detectors and torch.Basically the 3D printed base has 3 slots

  • one to store the coin cell battery when it is not being used
  • second slot on the left has 2 UV LEDs where you will have to insert the coin cell battery
  • third slot on the right which has a bright white LED which lights up when the battery is inserted and acts as a torch

Warning : Do not point the UV LEDs in the direction of your eyes for too long as this could be harmful for your eyes.

Step 1: Things You’ll Need

Here are electronic components that you will require in addition to the 3D printed parts

Two Ultraviolet LED’s

White LED (5mm LED)

Coin cell battery - CR2302

Super Glue

Step 2: 3D Printing Credit Card Size Holder

Download the 3D printing software that you printer supports, in my case i am using the Printrbot Simple Metal which use Repetier-Host as a software to

  • Slice the STL files attached, which basically means cutting the part into various layers
  • And send commands to the 3D printer while printing

Download the STL file attached and load it in your printer software and slice the file,and hit run to print both the STL files attached.

Based on your printer setting the Base should take about 35-40 mins to print and the Lid take about 15-20 mins to print.

Attachments

Step 3: Adding LED's to the 3D Printed Base

Add the two UV LEDs to the base 3D printed part and then add then add the white LED.

Use super glue to secure the LED's to the base, but just before you super glue the LEDs to the base test the LEDs as shown in the pictures above.

Step 4: Attaching the Lid

Using super glue on the button extrusions of the lid 3D printed part snap it into the base as shown in the picture .

Congratulation your build is complete ! and you are now ready to use your DIY "Portable Counterfeit Money detector and torch" to protect yourself against Counterfeit notes, and use it in the dark to prevent yourself from tripping over and injuring your self..