My main goal of this project is to make disco light that cast a good shadow.
I purchased an acrylic cube as a base, an acrylic cylinder to put light color filter around the light, and all other electrical parts.
- Acrylic Cube: $26.99
- Acrylic Dome: $16.98
- Acrylic Cylinder: $11.99
- 12 Volt Battery: $3.42
- Battery case: $5.99
- Motor: $15.98
- Extension Cord: $7.99
- LED light bulb: $9.69
- Cellophane wraps: $9.99
- Total: $109.02
As you can see in the picture, I used the lantern cord to hold the cylinder as an axis and put the motor on the side of the cylinder. Laser cutting the precise distance between cylinder and motor was a little tricky, but I managed to get the right distance by several trials of cutting.
For the upper part, I put aluminum foil around the acrylic dome with some holes to project light on the ceiling.
I am not happy about my final project because there were many things I didn’t make concern about issues, such as gear ratio and light. The light was not strong enough to have a good shadow, and the motor wasn’t fast enough because I didn’t consider gear ratio. I should’ve made something within my scope. 🙁
8 Comments. Leave new
Very great job would like to follow your steps for my project
You might consider using the base of a kids disco ball with its gears which might provide more than what you currently have. It is cool seeing as every piece was created by you with the exception of the light.
Jae, I think you were really close to having your project function how you intended it to. I think if you had given just a little more time prior to ordering the parts to consider what problems you would face, you could have made it exactly how you wanted it.
Hi Jae,
Great work on your project. As you said I think a little bit of modification will make your project even better. good luck on making them.
Jae, this project seemed like it gave you a hard time. I also had a project that I really struggled with. I was wondering if you had to change your plans during building or if you had to shift your aesthetic.
The idea behind the project is super creative! Have you thought about trying a different motor to make it rotate faster? You mentioned it rotated very slow, so I think a faster motor would add to the aesthetic and make the project overall better.
Nice job putting in the work with the motor. Why did you move away from using more powerful/cheaper LEDs?
It seems like you ran into a lot of problems. It might help if you tried a few more things before the final presentation, if you feel like you’re not satisfied with your final product. I think mirrors could help focus light and cast better shadows. Although, you have the majority of the functionality which is good.