The panel utilises the common place SMD5050 RGB light strips and a WiFi enabled controller to provide a visually appealing light panel. Its original intention was for a cost effective sensory light to aid people with Autism. This has not been tried yet, but has the alternative use as an appealing light for the home and office. Other uses may include night lights, light alarms and as a generic lighting solution.
The 3D printed frame provides a track for the LEDs to slide through and aligns the LEDs to the light guide panel and holds the assembly together. The Light Guide Panel (LGP) diffuses the light emitted by the LEDs which surround it. The mirror layer, reflects any light heading out the back of the panel. Whilst the opaque layer diffuses the light making it look like a solid light source.
1 x Printed frame (frame, joiner and corner pieces)
1 x Strip of LEDs, preferably RGB 5050SMD – NON-WATERPROOF (circa. 1M in length)
1 x 3mm mirror acrylic (A3/A4 can be bought off the shelf, see eBay)
1 x 5mm clear acrylic, requires laser/router etching. (A3/A4 can be bought off the shelf, see eBay)
1 x 3mm opaque acrylic, as diffuser. (A3/A4 can be bought off the shelf, see eBay)
Principal:
The light guide panel etching has been guessed at, and no scientific calculations have been made on the size, density and depth of the etching. However, testing has shown that the current pattern provides a full and consistent light up to an A3 size of panel (not tried larger). The etching was done on a 40W laser cutter, with full power at 50% speed. Your are looking for a surface roughing, rather than a hole.
The WiFi controller is of my own design, based around the ESP8266, but there are many other RGB kits out there with infrared, RF and WiFi solutions. As long as the LEDs are 5mm wide and the strip is 10mm wide it should work with this design.
If you would like help sourcing any parts please leave a comment and I will get back to you.
Two sizes of the panel have been tested so far:
All the .STL files have been uploaded individually as well as a a full set for each size (A4 / A3). I have also uploaded the acrylic etching as a .DXF , if you need another format just ask.
| 128mm_frame.stl |
| 170mm_frame.stl |
| A3_set.stl |
| A4_dot_pattern.dxf |
| A4_dot_pattern.pdf |
| A4_set.stl |
| frame_corner.stl |
| frame_joiner.stl |
