Collaborative Projects:
Candle Dress:
I was asked by a costume design student to help design some candles to be used on a dress and a large hat. We decided to use PVC pipe for the candle's shaft as it is cheap and sold in long lengths.
The student aspired to add flickering lights to the candles to make them more realistic. I helped to design a clear insert for the candle wick/flame, with space to insert an led into each one from underneath.
We selected flickering candle effect 5mm LEDs from https://www.kitronik.co.uk/3590-yellow-candle-5mm-water-clear-led-30deg-5800mcd.html. I created a circuit to power the LEDS using resistors, wire and a 12v 2ah power supply.
Upon assembly of the 3D printed wick/flame, we found that the pipe has a varying internal diameter, so tape had to be used on some to fill in the excess space to allow the flame to fit firmly.
The costume design student then was able to install the candles with the circuit into her costume.
I went to the exhibition and was very pleased with the final costume. The flickering candles really add to the feel of the costume. The student added hot melt glue to the candles to mimic melted wax.
Ceramic Chandelier:
Rachel Ronnie from 3D Design Crafts asked me to help create a circuit for a hanging ceramic chandelier using handmade a slip cast ceramics. I used an online calculator to work out the circuit for the lighting. I then created a digital prototype using a software called Fritzing.
It helped to layout the circuit in the most compact method as possible. Each header (blue parts in the image)
Fritzing circuit:
I used a large prototyping board to solder the components in place. I used solder to connect them and wire where any connections would overlap.
Click Image to enlarge
Click Image to enlarge
I soldered the LED's to different lengths of wire, depending upon the desired height of each part of the chandelier.
I gave the kit and a power supply to Rachel to install in the chandelier at her convenience.
Later in the term, I was able to view the complete chandleier at the end of year exhibition, I was pleased with the end result.