Make a USB 3D RGB LED energy crystal.
Added 2020-01-26 18:28:30 +0000 UTCThe openSCAD script for this actually fitted into the YouTube description area, so you can copy and paste the script from there to openSCAD to make one of these.
I optimised it for efficient printing as a thin hollow (but strong) plastic shell. In hindsight it may be possible to pre-solder the LEDs into a chain before pressing them into the form and then soldering the resistors together and adding the USB cable.
I'll not be making too many 3D printing videos as I realise that not everyone has a 3D printer.
There are also links to openSCAD and an eBay search for packs of the colour changing LEDs in the description on YouTube too.
Given how capable openScad is, I bet the code could be compacted to a fraction of the size.
Just out of interest I'll try copying the openSCAD file down below here too.
//Big Clive 21/Jan/2020 LED quartz
difference(){
union(){
difference(){
union(){
//six sub crystals
rotate([45, 0, 0])
cylinder(h =80, d1 = 30,d2 = 20,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 0])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =10, d1 = 20,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 60])
cylinder(h =80, d1 = 30,d2 = 20,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 60])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =10, d1 = 20,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 120])
cylinder(h =80, d1 = 30,d2 = 20,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 120])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =10, d1 = 20,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 180])
cylinder(h =80, d1 = 30,d2 = 20,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 180])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =10, d1 = 20,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 240])
cylinder(h =80, d1 = 30,d2 = 20,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 240])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =10, d1 = 20,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 300])
cylinder(h =80, d1 = 30,d2 = 20,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 300])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =10, d1 = 20,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
//main central crystal
translate([0, 0, 0])
cylinder(h =100, d1 = 50,d2 = 20,$fn=6);
//main crystal tip
translate([0, 0, 100])
cylinder(h =10,d1=20,d2=0,$fn=6);
}
//remove central crystal core
translate([0, 0, -1])
cylinder(h =101.1, d1 = 48,d2 = 18,$fn=6);
//remove centre crystal tip
translate([0, 0, 100])
cylinder(h =9,d1=18,d2=0,$fn=6);
//six sub crystal core removal
rotate([45, 0, 0])
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h =80.1, d1 = 28,d2 = 18,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 0])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =9, d1 = 18,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 60])
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h =80.1, d1 = 28,d2 = 18,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 60])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =9, d1 = 18,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 120])
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h =80.1, d1 = 28,d2 = 18,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 120])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =9, d1 = 18,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 180])
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h =80.1, d1 = 28,d2 = 18,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 180])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =9, d1 = 18,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 240])
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h =80.1, d1 = 28,d2 = 18,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 240])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =9, d1 = 18,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 300])
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h =80.1, d1 = 28,d2 = 18,$fn=6);
rotate([45, 0, 300])
translate([0,0,80])
cylinder(h =9, d1 = 18,d2 = 0,$fn=6);
}
//Second solid additions
//Add base cone
translate([0,0,3])
cylinder(h =45, d1 = 100,d2 = 7,$fn=6);
//led plinths
rotate([45, 0, 0])
translate([0,0,30])
cylinder(h =5.5, d1 = 20,d2 = 8,$fn=20);
rotate([45, 0, 60])
translate([0,0,30])
cylinder(h =5.5, d1 = 20,d2 = 8,$fn=20);
rotate([45, 0, 120])
translate([0,0,30])
cylinder(h =5.5, d1 = 20,d2 = 8,$fn=20);
rotate([45, 0, 180])
translate([0,0,30])
cylinder(h =5.5, d1 = 20,d2 = 8,$fn=20);
rotate([45, 0, 240])
translate([0,0,30])
cylinder(h =5.5, d1 = 20,d2 = 8,$fn=20);
rotate([45, 0, 300])
translate([0,0,30])
cylinder(h =5.5, d1 = 20,d2 = 8,$fn=20);
//cable entry
translate([0,-35,10])
rotate([45, 0, 0])
sphere (d=10,$fn=20);
}
//Second removals
//Inner base area
translate([0,0,2])
cylinder(h =45, d1 = 100,d2 = 6,$fn=6);
//base removal cube
translate([-50,-50,-47])
cube ([100,100,50]);
//LED hole removal
rotate([45, 0, 0])
translate([0,0,26])
cylinder(h =10,d1=5,d2=5,$fn=20);
rotate([45, 0, 60])
translate([0,0,26])
cylinder(h =10,d1=5,d2=5,$fn=20);
rotate([45, 0, 120])
translate([0,0,26])
cylinder(h =10,d1=5,d2=5,$fn=20);
rotate([45, 0, 180])
translate([0,0,26])
cylinder(h =10,d1=5,d2=5,$fn=20);
rotate([45, 0, 240])
translate([0,0,26])
cylinder(h =10,d1=5,d2=5,$fn=20);
rotate([45, 0, 300])
translate([0,0,26])
cylinder(h =10,d1=5,d2=5,$fn=20);
//main pillar LED hole
translate([0,0,40])
cylinder(h =10,d1=5,d2=5,$fn=20);
//cable entry
translate([0,-35,10])
rotate([45,0,0])
cylinder(h =20, d1 = 4,d2 = 4,$fn=20);
}
Comments
It also makes quite nice crystals in coloured plastic. Even a black one looks good without illumination. It took me a while to click, but openscad is interesting and intuitive if you follow this well written guide and then just start making random shapes and experimenting with their size and position. https://cubehero.com/2013/11/19/know-only-10-things-to-be-dangerous-in-openscad/
Big Clive
2020-02-03 05:55:28 +0000 UTChave you tried eMachineShop? It is super simple and you can pound out a design in minutes. It's free and if you are so inclined can order the parts you create in real metals!
2020-02-02 06:09:42 +0000 UTCI dub thee "Clive's Crystal" so say we all
Michael Thompson
2020-01-28 18:34:45 +0000 UTCThat reminded me of a crystal I once grew in the 90's from copper sulphate (using the same way we were taught in school to grow an Alum crystal) it ended up about 1 3/4 " long by 1 1/2" wide and an inch deep. I drilled a 3/16" hole and put a 12v grain of wheat bulb from my rail layout into the base - made a small wooden base and i thought it looked amazing back then. Now I want a 3d printer!! hahaha.
Mike Hughes
2020-01-28 18:26:41 +0000 UTCthats gorgeous, some day i'll get a 3d printer
2020-01-28 18:01:19 +0000 UTCI just received a drum of the glow in the dark PLA today.
Big Clive
2020-01-28 02:25:58 +0000 UTCI don't have a 3d printer (yet) but still enjoy seeing what can be done with them. Already have enough stuff to learn and work on to keep me busy over the winter months.
2020-01-27 23:14:06 +0000 UTCthey would look sweet in clear resin, Maybe later down the line as I have too many little projects on the go right now and my fdm printer spat the dummy yesterday when a stepper cable gave up playing fair, you never forget the sound of a stepper not knowing what direction its trying to go, esp when its 5 mis from the end of a 9hr print run. I thought about a battery tea light version a while ago and even downloaded different crystal stl files to use but just never got round to it. yours look good and will get me thinking about it once these vents for my laser cutter are finnaly printed. cheers Clive
2020-01-27 23:13:40 +0000 UTCReally beautiful project. The FDM 3D printing lines just add to the crystal effect and the slow drift of the colour changing LEDs out of sync is very effective. I think this is a project I’d actually try to make. Thank you for sharing! Ewen
Ewen McNeill
2020-01-27 23:00:16 +0000 UTCHi Clive, Set my printer to create one of these tonight, will let you know how it comes out! I dont currently have clear PLA so i am using Glow in the Dark.
2020-01-27 22:09:58 +0000 UTCWhich did you buy?
Big Clive
2020-01-27 20:10:42 +0000 UTCWell it had to happen. Just bought a 3D printer. I have no idea where it's going.
Neil Tonks
2020-01-27 08:20:05 +0000 UTChttps://www.adafruit.com/product/1938
Michael Gilchrest
2020-01-27 04:39:07 +0000 UTCVery nice!
Nani Isobel
2020-01-27 03:08:28 +0000 UTCYou should look into NeoPixels Big Clive....
Michael Gilchrest
2020-01-27 02:20:07 +0000 UTCIam a Patreon for Mr. Carlsons Lab and he is able to attach files to his Patreon posts for projects, thanks again Clive.
Cleveland Prescott
2020-01-27 02:18:42 +0000 UTCThey do contain a tiny chip. I think it's based on discrete logic modules and counters as opposed to being a full microcontroller.
Big Clive
2020-01-27 01:10:13 +0000 UTCThe raw code can be attached to the post or video description as text and remain with the video indefinitely. An STL file would have to be stored on my webspace.
Big Clive
2020-01-27 01:09:24 +0000 UTCVery nice Clive! Once again you have made something that embarrasses me about my lack of both skill and imagination. I bought a 3D printer almost 2 years ago and have only printed one single test print. Your putting in the code may just be enough to make me try it for myself, altho I do not have any clear plastic for the printer.
2020-01-27 00:10:21 +0000 UTCBrilliant design. Curious about the color changing LEDs, each must contain a very tiny microprocessor with cyclic lookup table to drive RGB DAC outputs? Amazing that fits on the base of the LED case.
2020-01-27 00:10:18 +0000 UTCNice project Clive, definitely love this type of project. Thanks
Richard Boyce
2020-01-26 22:37:11 +0000 UTCcheap 3d printer if assembled correctly is a anet a8 been using one for 3 years its an acrylic frame so do not over tension nuts but makes beautiful prints and only costs about €150
2020-01-26 22:00:46 +0000 UTCGot to say this is one of your better projects.
Charles Bruckner
2020-01-26 21:10:16 +0000 UTCI sized the holes as snug with the idea that if they were too small they could be drilled out. It appears most LEDs have a slight taper. Presumably to ease mould release in the factory.
Big Clive
2020-01-26 20:34:26 +0000 UTCThanks, Clive... By 6 minutes in I had installed OpenSCAD and started up the printer. Just another 4 hours to wait now!
Andy Brown
2020-01-26 20:06:30 +0000 UTCClive - is your hearing OK? I was virtually screaming at the monitor as you kept insisting you needed another resistor! Just as well you ignored me as I hadn't realised one of the 8 LEDs was a rogue. I don't have a 3d printer yet, but I would be interested to know roughly how long that took to print. Many hours, I am guessing. I notice in the code that there were several d2=5 - is that the LED hole? If so, it seems you don't have to allow for shrinkage as the material cools?
Keith Miller
2020-01-26 19:57:26 +0000 UTCGreat work. It does indeed look very quartz like.
Keith Lambell
2020-01-26 19:54:25 +0000 UTCI've been wanting to make one for a few years but haven't quite gotten around to it yet. Some day...? Maybe?
Martel DuVigneaud
2020-01-26 19:35:36 +0000 UTCAlso got myslef a 3d printer fo christmas :) Made myslef RGBW dmx stage lights! If anyone is interested channel NICELIGHTS on youtube, only small, my english sucks, but very much influenced by Mr Clive :) I belive there are some interesting projects like my monsterous strobe the MegaLumen.
2020-01-26 19:29:39 +0000 UTCWow that is awesome!!! I just begged a couple of friends for one and offered to wire it with slow color changers for them as a trade if they make a couple...yes bags of 100 come in handy! :D
Michael Thompson
2020-01-26 19:27:52 +0000 UTCI really need to get myself a printer
Neil Tonks
2020-01-26 18:36:48 +0000 UTC
