Final Project

Final Project Choice:

My final project involved a culmination of previously gained skills to create an LED infinity mirror. In order to do this, I used C++ to program neopixel circuits, laser-cutting with 1/8" clear acrylic, woodworking to construct a square frame, soldering for the copper pads (on the neopixel), and a special tinted mirror to capture the "infinity" look. Prior to the start of the project, I first explored Tinkercad's simulation of neopixels, using the Adafruit_NeoPixel library import; during this time, I learned about power distribution throughout the strip, as well as how to tweak the neopixels' colors using RGB (red, green, blue) values. Once I finished programming, I transferred the code onto the microcontroller, WEMO, which is both accessible through the internet and a 5V power supply. Next, with the guidance of Fablab supervisors, I designed my wood frame involving four planks- each with 45º cuts. Utilizing the different saws and routers in the woodworking room, I produced three grooves, consisting of the neopixel groove, the 1/8" mirror groove, and the back acrylic groove. Meanwhile, I also laser-cut and prepped the one-way mirrors with a special tinted film (distributed by the teacher). And finally, for the soldering component, I stripped and soldered wires onto the neopixel's copper pad and used hot glue to protect it. I combined four strips with sixteen LEDs in total, all of which were electrically connected to the WEMO and cookie breadboard. The final product will be a 7" x 7" square mirror (6" mirror + wood frame) with four separate strips of neopixels on the inside; the wooden frame will contain grooves that the mirrors can slip into, and the circuitry will be located through a hole drilled in the wood. When powered, the neopixels will alternate through a set of colors, displaying an "infinite" amount of lights in the mirror. The main source of inspiration for my project was the final engineering project I completed last year, the acrylic sign; the acrylic sign was a 6" x 4" product that incorporated a minimal amount of neopixels and different kinds of acrylics (black, clear). While it was challenging to build initially, it did not contain anything exceedingly impressive. Not only does this year's project involve more intricate components, but it can also act as an extension of my engineering knowledge. I found that by creating two similar products side-by-side, I could visibly portray my improvement, especially in my soldering and woodworking skills. Build inspirations sprang from instructables' infinity mirror project, where they created a 10" x 10" mirror with an opaque polystyrene frame, 32 LEDs, and two tinted glass pieces. For my project, I made changes to the frame material and switched the LEDs to neopixel strips and a WEMO. I fundamentally kept the two-way mirrors the same, just replacing the glass with clear acrylic; I made this change because acrylic is naturally more durable and scratch-proof than glass. Finally, for the frame assembling, instead of drilling holes for the LEDs like they did in the article, I made a groove for the neopixel strips to stick to. We also watched a video with instructions.

Design Specification Considerations

Q: black A: red

1. What do you want your project to do?

I want my mirror to light up whenever its plugged in and successfully display the "infinity effect."

2. Is the project for you personally, or is it part of something else?

The project is for me personally. I want to make it so that I can compare it with last year's project.

3. Will your project use Wifi?

The microcontroller, WEMO allows the project to work through a Wifi connection, though it is not mandatory.

4. How is your project powered?

It is powered through a 5V power supply that is plugged into an outlet. The initial WEMO circuit (check daily journal) was powered through the computer.

5. Does your project use a vinyl cutter?

N/A

6. Does your project use the laser cutter?

Yes. I will use the laser cutter to cut the 1/8" acrylic squares

7. Does your project use a 3D printer?

N/A

8. Will your project be for inside or outside?

My project will be inside. I plan to keep it inside my bedroom.

9. Does your project involve coding through a microcontroller?

Yes, the programming is through Arduino and C++, and the microcontroller is the WEMO board.

10. How much will you spend on this project?

All materials will be provided through the Fablab, so none.

11. What are your project inputs?

The project inputs will be a 5V power supply connecting to the WEMO/cookie breadboard through an LED terminal connector.

12. What are your project outputs?

The project outputs will be four strips of neopixels lighting up (16 total) inside the wood frame. With the use of tinted mirrors, they will create an infinity effect.

13. What was the inspiration project?

The inspirational project was a 8"x8" infinity mirror with 32 neopixels, completed by instructables

14. When was the inspirational project constructed?

N/A

15. What changes were made from the inspirational project to your final project?

I switched the initial 32 neopixels to 16, and instead used its sticking backing to attach to the frame rather than drilling holes. Also, for the frame, I used wood instead of polystyrene

16. What are dimensions of your final project?

The final project will be approx. 7" x 7" (square) and 2.4" thick

17. What materials will you use?

I will use 1/8" acrylic, mirror tinting film (of multiple variations), wood planks, neopixel strips containing four LEDs each, a cookie breadboard, electrical wires, LED terminal connector, WEMO microcontroller, wood glue, hot glue, and solder.

18. Are all materials accessible through the Fablab?

Yes, they are all available.

19. What tools will you use in the Fablab?

I will use the Fablab's soldering iron, laser cutter, table-saw, router, and its computers.

20. What applications did you use? Provide an explanation of each.

-CorelDRAW: it is a graphics editor that I used to design the 6" x 6" square mirrors; I directly sent my file to the laser cutter through this application

-TinkerCAD: it is an online coding and circuit simulator that I used to test a neopixel strip code

-Arduino: it is a coding application that uploads C++ code to hardware, such as WEMOs and Arduino Unos

21. What are the potential risks of your final project?

Risks include potential short circuits, fires (caused by poor soldering), and sharp edges/cuts from the wood.

Initial Project Schematics

Build Instructions

Final Product