Instructions to Build 8x8x8 LED Cube

This LED Cube is a cool device that enables you to see in three dimensions, and has 512 LED's for 8 layers of 8 rows and 8 columns (8x8x8).

This work requires a lot of soldering. It will be very interesting for sure. You can just follow my instructions to complete this build.

LED cube kit can be purchased from this link

Step 1: Gather the Requirements

• LED cube kit from gearbest
• Soldering Iron and consumables (flux and lead)
• steel scriber
• A4 sheet paper
• Cardboard or plywood (to make template)
• Pencil for marking
• Sticking tape
• 5mm drill bit
• Portable electric drill
• scrap piece of plastic sheet with thickness of 2 to 3 mm

Step 2: Draw a Table (7x7) With Squares of 2 Centimetres Each Sides

This is the first step in preparing the fixture. I may have more squares but a table with 7 rows and 7 columns were enough.

Step 3: Stick the Paper to the Cardboard or Ply-wood

Step 4: Make Indentation With Steel Scriber for Easy Drilling

Step 5: Use 5 Millimetre Drill to Make Holes

To accommodate the 5 mm LED's

Step 6: Insert the LED's & Make Sure the Cathode Terminal Is Aligned Out Side

Cathode terminals can be easily identified as shorter

Step 7: Trim and Bend the Cathode Terminals

Step 8: Solder All the Cathode Terminals

Step 9: Bend the Anode Terminal Using a Spacer of Thickness 2 Millimetre

Step 10: Solder the Anode Terminals

Step 11: After Soldering, Carefully Remove the LED's From the Fixture

Step 12: Prepare 8 Units in Total

Step 13: Carefully Insert the LED's to the Female Header Pin's on the Board

Step 14: ​Connect the Common Cathode Terminals of Each Layer (please Find the Notes in the Image)

Step 15: Connect All the Common Cathode of Each Layer to the Hoard

Step 16: The Build Is Complete Now. You Can Power Up the Cube (5 Volt or Through USB)

Step 17: Link to the Software and Program Codes

github.com links Click here (USB to TTL drivers, keil, STC ISP and others)

gearbest links Click here (.hex and c files)

Step 18: This Video Will Be Helpful

Comments

[grifr31415]

Would this work with a Raspberry Pi? Because the kit that you linked said that it was compatible with Arduino, but didn't mention Raspberry Pi. I want to write the code for this myself, but I do not have an Arduino. Alternately, would I be able to write code for it on my PC? Either of those would work. Thanks! :)

[eepaul2001]

Not directly, you will need to add transistors or some other form of buffer for all of the outputs from the Raspberry PI, as it can't handle driving all the LED's directly. The current is too much for that chip. The next thing is the number of outputs, as 8 x 8 x 8 needs to be multiplexed to get the LED's to light up. You could use 3 multiplexer chips that is 3 in and 8 outputs. Then have each of them drive some other driver chips such as 74HC573N.

[HariFun]

Anyone know where we can get the source code for this cube? I'm interested in modifying the code to write my own effects. Thanks!

[eepaul2001]

There are a few different web sites with the source code such as https://github.com/tomazas/ledcube8x8x8

In addition to the code, you will need the software to communicate with the 12C5A60S2, and set the baud rate, and a cable that goes from USB to 4 pins. The cable can be straight through, or have an interface chip on it that buffers the levels. As RS232 is at different voltage levels than TTL/CMOS.

I usually just search for the chip and the project and there are many results. Problem is finding one in a language that I can read.

[DamienB11]

Hey, I ordered this from GB around a month ago and received it a few weeks back, upon it arriving I googled for instructions on how to build this and found your YouTube video, it was a great help and I managed to get a working cube within a week ( I did a few 8x8 grids per night as time is limited) after finishing everything and testing I found it wasn’t at all what I expected, the test patterns just didn’t seem right, anyway I left it for a week and came back to it today, I realized what you had done and went abut rectifying my build, now the cube displays as expected and upon watching your tutorial back I’m surprised no one else has noted the error.

You need to swap your anode and cathode’s around, this will give you the correct test sequences, if you watch the first 20 seconds of your video you notice how all the leds are lit up and there’s some that turn off, that should be the inverse of this with all led’s off and a few led’s producing a spinning pattern.

Again I want to to thank you for this tutorial as without I wouldn’t have known where to start.

To anyone else not getting the results they expected, you don’t need to do a full strip down to rectify only take it back to the 8 separate 8x8 grids and solder on some legs for the anode connections and rebuild from there, it took no more than 1 hour to strip and get this working as should be.

[chrisjlionel]

Thanks Damien, Your comments means a lot. Soon I'll fix and upload the tutorial.

[John_M_B]

I have just been given one of these kits. Am I right that instead of the cathodes being bent down to go into the header pins it should be the anodes? (I am going cross eyed trying to follow the tracks)

[chrisjlionel]

Yes, You're correct. I made the mistake. There is "NO" proper instruction manual was available.

[Suraj Bhawal]

Good project with great instructions.. you have my vote.

[chrisjlionel]

Thanks dude

[electronic_artist_]

Nice work buddy keep it up ..

[chrisjlionel]

Thanks kkedar

[bhavik zure]

amazing efforts man.

very well explained instructable.

is they are small videos or gif files.

this this is one of its kind instructable with lot of videos/gif.

thanks for sharing :)

[chrisjlionel]

Thanks bro. They are GIF's.