Build Instructions

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• 1

  See what your going to make and the things you'll need:

  For those of you who prefer to watch something instead of reading I have created a detailed tutorial video. Don't worry though, everything in the video (and a little more) is all explained in this guide. Though, even if you will read through this guide I highly recommend looking at the introduction in the video to get an idea of the effect the lights achieve. :)
  

  To build your own version of Geoleaf you're going to need just a few items and tools. None of these should be too tricky to find and I have included links to where you can find the items online:

  • 12v WS2811 LED’s (A 5 meter roll is enough for 12 panels): https://geni.us/WS2811-60 
  • 10mm LED connectors - one per panel: https://geni.us/3Pin10mmLEDCable 
  • 3D Printer Filament: https://www.3djake.uk 
  • Acrylic sheets (1 A4 sheet = 3 triangles): https://geni.us/OpalFrostedA4Acrylic 
  • DC to DC Buck converter (Mini 360): https://geni.us/Mini360 
  • Logic Level Shifter (74AHCT125): https://geni.us/74AHCT125-LLS 
  • ESP8266 Dev Board: https://geni.us/wemosD1 
  • Plenty of M3x8 bolts: https://geni.us/NutsAndBolts 
  • Barrel connector suitable for at least 5amps https://geni.us/HighAmpDCBarrel 
  • 12v Power Supply (6 amp+): https://geni.us/12VPowerSupply6A
  • Dual T splice connectors (x2): https://geni.us/DualTSplice 
  • Some 20AWG wire (0.8128mm in diameter): https://geni.us/20AWG 
  • 3M Command Hanging Strips: https://geni.us/CommandStrips 

  There are two different options for connecting the electronics together for this project. I learnt how to design a PCB for this project and have uploaded the design to PCBway where you can order a PCB of your own for just a few dollars/pounds. This is the simplest way to assemble the electronics:

  • Projects PCB:  https://geni.us/GeoLeafPCB

  Or optionally you can use a piece of Adafruit PermaProto board to connect everything along with some wiring connectors for the higher current connections. You will find details of both methods later in the instructions

  • PermaProto Board: https://geni.us/HalfPermaProto 
  • Wago Connectors: https://geni.us/Wago221

• 2

  Printing the Triangles - Walls

  The first thing we need to print are the sides of our triangles. The file for this is attached 'Triangle-Walls.stl'.

  I printed mine in 3D Jakes ecoPLA Matt Black as I wanted it to contrast with the grey walls in my home office but you can use a different color if you prefer. As I will be using fourteen illuminated triangles in my end design I will print fourteen of these 'walls'.

  My print settings were:

  • 0.3mm layer height
  • No supports
  • No brim
  • 30% infill

  This resulted in a print time of roughly 1 hour 27 minutes per panel.

  If you would like to add in some square illuminated panels than you can find the optional files for the squares here on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1067981962 . The donations received through people buying the files for the optional square panels helps to fund the next project I am working on - but please note this is optional and not necessary to complete the

• 3

  Cutting the Acrylic

  For this step you will need:

  • Acrylic sheets
  • Saw
  • Pencil

  I am using some 3mm thick opal acrylic to diffuse the light for this project. I purchased some A4 sheets which we can cut three panels worth of acrylic diffusers from. My fourteen triangles therefore required five A4 sheets.

  You can use a pencil to mark on the sheets (don't remove the protective film from them yet) an outline of the shape we need to cut. To do this, take one of your 3D printed triangular walls and place it onto the acrylic sheet so that the holes for the bolts is facing downwards. You can then trace the inside of this shape.

  There are several ways that you can cut a sheet of acrylic, such as scorring and then snapping, hot wires or saw blades. This is beyond the scope of this Instructable for me to go through the pros and cons of each method.

  I decided to cut mine with a fret saw. A hand saw or similar would work just as well. Once you have cut the shapes you can test there fit inside one of the triangles which will then allow you to trim any excess off before you remove the protective films from both sides of each of the panels.

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