Introduction: Hackathon 1: LED Shelf

LED shelf prototype: The prototypes purpose was to innovate off an average shelf and add life to it by making it bright. Its function was the same as any other shelf, to serve by holding certain items.

List of materials and tools used:

  • plexi-glass
  • super glue
  • led light strip
  • wood
  • saw
  • 3d printer
  • Fusion 360
  • laser cutter

Step 1: Cutting Plexi-glass Into the Right Dimensions

Image is not plexi-glass, rather an interpretation for the final product

The specific dimensions I used for my shelf was to make a box shape so that the LED strip could fit inside. The top and bottom were 1 1/2 foot wide X 8 inches long. The 2 long strips of plexi-glass were also 1 1/2 foot long. Then the 2 edges were 7 3/4 inches long, this is because the plexi-glass itself was 1/4 inches long.

Step 2: Glue Plexi-glass Pieces Together

Such as in the image, glue parts carefully together except for the top piece so that the LED strip can be placed inside

Step 3: Cutting and Gluing the Shelf Brackets

I used a thin 1/4 inch wood panel to make the parts for my brackets. The dimensions I used for each bracket were; the rectangle was: 2 inches by 4 inches, the triangle was: 4 inches on the shortest side and 7 inches on the next shortest side. After that I simply super glued them together.

Step 4: Gluing Brackets to Shelf

Again I used super glue to put the brackets onto the main shelf. I put the brackets 2 inches away from each edge to keep the shelf sturdy when installed onto a wall.

Step 5: Putting LED Into Shelf

The led strip I bought came with an adhesive back so that it easily stuck onto the inside of the shelf. If yours did not super glue would work just as well.

Step 6: Putting It All Together

Finally glue the topside of the shelf onto the main part to have a finished usable shelf. ENJOY!