LED Rainbow Spinner

What I am about to describe is a pointless device that has no purpose other than it pleases me.

The device is a three gimbol induction coil LED light spinner, what you see above is the concept model, below you will find a more refined, motorised version.

All I can say is it looks pretty in the dark! :)

Supplies

Resin 3D printer and resin ( I use water based resin)

80mm diameter LED induction coil for USB connection with 10 LED's https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DBZ5WC47?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

500 RPM geared motor with 3mm output shaft. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H1FH8HZ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Miniature "press to make" momentary push button

2 off M2 dia x 20mm screws and nuts

Superglue

2mm diameter Stainless steel rod for pivots

90mm diameter 2 piece clear plastic ball. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MFK44K4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Step 1: Nesting LED Spinners

In TinkerCad three nesting rings were designed with pockets for the LED lights and 2mm holes for spindles, one of which in the largest ring is a 2mm square hole for the motor shaft..

The red lines show the pivot positions, they are placed to cause an imbalance when spun. The LED's were glued in place with super glue..

The pivots were cut and the ends were deburred

The centre pin is 40mm long, the 2 off outer to middle pivots are 10mm long, these were inserted and fixed in place with a dab of superglue at one end.

The motor output shaft will be at the 6:00 o'clock position. The long pin shown at the 12:00 o'clock position is 16mm long, one end is hammered flat to locate it in the cage, the clear plastic globe will keep it in place and allow for disassembly..

Step 2: Spinner Cage 3D Printing

3D resin prints of the four parts that make up the spinner cage were produced and trial assembled (including the motor/gearbox), after a few minor adjustments, taking off sharp corners etc, it all fits together neatly.

Step 3: Prep the Motor/gearbox

The motor and gearbox were wrapped in masking tape to keep the metal filings out. The shaft was cut to 20mm long and the end was filed to make a 2mm square that fits easily into the hole in the large spinner.

Step 4: Main Assembly

The coil was placed in the upper side of the cage, the circuit board was passed through the slot and the wires were stuck with superglue out of the way of the motor recess. The spinners were put onto the motor shaft, the motor dropped in place and the lower side of the cage was clicked in place, The top pivot pin was pushed in to support the spinners.

Step 5: Wiring It Up

The PCB for the coil has provision for an external power supply with + & - solder pads placed on either side of the USB socket, I soldered wires to the contact points to attach the switch and motor.

Step 6: Prep the Clear Cover

The concept spinner could easily lay flat if put down, on the reworked model the motor stops where it stops so it more often than not leaves the spinners sticking out from the cage. For protection I went for a two piece clear plastic ball of the type used for Christmas tree decoration.

I used masking tape to mark out a hole 30mm x 12mm equal about the join line of the two hemispheres, I cut the hole using a dremil with a circular blade. the hole was tidied up with a file until the cage handle part passed through.

Step 7: Final Assembly

Once the wiring was complete the 4 parts of the cage were assembled with M2 x 20mm screws and nuts and the 2 part globe was clicked together around the spinners. Plugging in the USB lights the LED's, pressing the button makes the LED's move. Sorry about the poor quality GIF. I am reduced to taking pictures and video on a potato :(

With a bit of re-tinkering this spinner could be reworked to have a built in power supply to do away with the USB connection.