Programmable Infinity Mirror
Introduction: Programmable Infinity Mirror
Seeing nanoleaf like lights decorating the background of a lot of YouTubers out there, thought that I would try kicking it up a notch by using triangles and making them infinity mirrors.
Took inspiration from a number of Instructables as well as many others out there on the Internet, and used the programming code from a previous Instructable of mine (https://www.instructables.com/Totally-Lit-Programmable-RGB-LED-Acrylic-Sign/) where I lit up engraved acrylic with addressable RGB LEDs.
Supplies
* Addressable RGB LEDs (this is what I used https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01CDTELBE/ref=p...
* Arduino nano
* Acrylic (clear)
* one way mirror film (this is what I used https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07D3KF4ZQ/ref=p...
* soldering iron
* connector wires (this is what I used https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07GGPQXFC/ref=p...
* super glue
* E6000 glue
* masking tape
* utility knife
Step 1: Cut Frame
Created a shape based upon the distance between LEDs on the RGB LED strip, and designed two sizes, one with 9 LEDs per side and another with 6 LEDs per side. Added a cutout portion so that the wires could easily be pulled out from the side.
Based upon the thickness of the material, had to cut out a few wall portions and glue them together.
Since is used pieces of acrylic here cut out with a laser cutter, superglue worked great in gluing them together
Step 2: Attach RGB LEDs
I cut the RGB LEDs in to strips of 27 and 18, and then soldered on the wire connectors, making sure that I was consistent with the plug ends for the data in and out side of the LED strips.
Using E6000 glue, I was able to secure them to the wall inserts, and used masking tape to clamp them down until the glue dried
Step 3: Prepare Mirror Finish
For the end pieces of clear acrylic, I cut out one way mirror film to an approximate size, and then carefully peeled away the film (most have a thin film layer covering the sticky side of the mirror film), sprayed some water on it and the full acrylic triangle, and carefully placed it on top.
Using a credit card, the mirror film can be smoothed out, and bubbles can be pushed out from under the film.
Once dried, use a knife to cut the extra material outside of the acrylic shape.
Step 4: Prepare Arduino
Programmed an Arduino nano with the attached code that has a number of patterns that I've designed.
The included code is for 8 triangles, 4 of which are 27 LEDs and 4 that are 18 LEDs.
Feel free to modify the code as you see fit. As can be seen in the intro video, you can see the patterns that I've added, which optionally makes for nice Christmas decorations if you stand them up on a table top or mantle.
The Arduino is powerful enough to power up the 5V RGB LEDs, so I used the 5V from the board to power up the strip. 635
The data line is D4, and I used D5 as an input switch, that looks for a button up scenario to switch over to the next pattern in the program.
Step 5: Put It All Together
I glued the full triangles with the mirror film side in towards the LEDs, so that there would be less of a distance to reflect, and it turned out nicer this way (the other way around would cause additional reflections based upon the thickness of the acrylic).
Hope you enjoyed this Instructable... looking forward to see what you create out of this. I am particularly thinking of other shapes, such as a hexagon, and potentially making connector style additions to the frame, so that there aren't any wires externally, but the pieces just click in to one another.
Enjoy! 276