Build Instructions

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• 1

  Supplies

  1x Pixo PCB

  170x WS2812B Mini V3

  1x Firebettle ESP32

  1x Stencil (Optional)

  1x Solder Paste

  2x 3D Printed Parts

  12x 2mm Screws

  My Tools:

  Screwdriver Set

  3D Printer

  Rework Station

• 2

  About WS2812B

  The WS2812B Mini is a type of programmable LED that works in a simple and fascinating way. Each tiny LED has a built-in microcontroller, allowing it to be individually controlled. It's like having a little smart light on its own!

  Here's the magic: You can send signals to these LEDs using a device like an ESP32. These signals tell each LED what color to shine, how bright, and when to change. This is possible because of the "OneWire" communication protocol, a simple serial protocol that lets you control multiple WS2812B LEDs in a chain using a single data line. This protocol ensures that each LED interprets the relevant data for its color and brightness accurately. With this technology, you can create all sorts of beautiful and dynamic lighting effects, including the mesmerizing rainbow patterns in the Pixo project.

• 3

  CAD Design

  I started by creating the shapes for the LED arrangement using Fusion 360. I also designed the outer border of the matrix and saved them as DXF files.

  You can find and download the DXF files from below that I created for your reference.

  After that, I imported these DXF files into EasyEDA, which is the software I used for designing the PCB. This helped me reference the shapes accurately during PCB designing process.

  Using the fundamental tools in Fusion 360, I crafted the enclosure and cover for the LED matrix. If you want to learn basics of Fusion 360 you can have a look at my previous article that explains the Fusion 360 fundamentals.

  You can directly download my design and edit it in Fusion 360 software.

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