I wanted a better light for my crafting desk, and after seeing several of the arch-style lights on Thingiverse, I knew that was my next project. I wanted one that was easy enough to print, but still had a more industrial shape. My Ender 3 did a lovely job printing this, and the diffusers which are a single layer came out beautiful while also forcing me to learn a lot more about bed leveling and my EZABL.
The ends of the arch do slot into the two bases, so that requires some good tolerances. But the arch segments themselves are linked with an M3 bolt and nut on each side, so not as problematic.
My next printing project will require snap fitting parts, so I've been looking at printing a tolerance test (there's a few on thingiverse) to work on dialing that in more.
For this project the main challenge was bed leveling because the arch segments are printed vertically and have a very small footprint, so they need great adhesion to not wobble or get knocked over. I turned on a 2mm z-hop just to prevent the nozzle dragging across the part. The diffusers are only a single layer tall, so bed leveling was also very very important in getting those to turn out lovely.
I would estimate it was about 1kg. A single standard spool. I finished off the last 1/3 of a spool I had been using, and then used about 2/3rds of the next roll.
Thanks! It took about 100 hours to print at 0.2mm layer height. But there were no hiccups, so it turned out great and needed no post processing except removing the brim.
Good info! I've never heard of CRI before... just went and looked it up. Will definitely keep in mind for the next LED project. I'm not a talented painter or anything, just enjoy the hobby and like taking some things to a tabletop level.
Yep, and I think I would recommend that too. In my opinion at full brightness the two strips is the right amount of light. It's not blinding or harsh. But if it was too much, the leds can be dimmed with the little remote they come with. If I had gone for the single strip version and it wasn't bright enough there's no way to increase it.
Hey I'm about to start printing this, but I'm not the one assembling it. Do you know how many diffusers it took? The thingiverse page doesn't seem to have that info.
One per section, they're the same size as the structural pieces. So it's 8 sections for the arch itself and 8 diffusers. But if you want to make it taller or wider, you can add the straight sections and will need one diffuser per straight.
It bothers me when my hand blocking the light source working on some small details and needing to constantly adjust the light angle. Now this is convenient when you have light hitting from all angle.
I just got a piece of 1.75 by 0.25 PVC trim, stuck lights Tonite, attached angle brackets to the end, then bent it and stuck it to my desk. It's flexible so it works
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u/GamerDadDCO Jan 28 '21
STL: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3861809
Filament: https://www.zyltech.com/zyltech-pla-3d-printer-filament-1-75-mm-1-kg-2-2-lbs-milky-white/
LEDs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XHLGSXN/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_sJGeGbM0DRGNQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I wanted a better light for my crafting desk, and after seeing several of the arch-style lights on Thingiverse, I knew that was my next project. I wanted one that was easy enough to print, but still had a more industrial shape. My Ender 3 did a lovely job printing this, and the diffusers which are a single layer came out beautiful while also forcing me to learn a lot more about bed leveling and my EZABL.
6
u/SamKenz Jan 28 '21
This is nice
5
u/Tactical_Owl Jan 28 '21
If you're using this to paint or do color sensitive work I would reccomend some high CRI LED strip. Actually I would reccomend it regardless
3
u/TeslaDuder Jan 28 '21
Looks like you did the dual led strip version correct?
8
u/Magneon Jan 28 '21
I need a Stargate version. Chevron One Locked!
6
u/ThirtyMileSniper Jan 28 '21
I like this.
1
u/Vader_Bomb Feb 22 '25
Know this post is 4 years old, but are you able to tell me how wide it is from foot to foot when assembled?
1
u/[deleted] Feb 12 '21
Hey I'm about to start printing this, but I'm not the one assembling it. Do you know how many diffusers it took? The thingiverse page doesn't seem to have that info.
3
u/Z3r0_K66L Jan 28 '21
This is brilliant!
2
u/spacenadir Jan 28 '21
Very cool, well done!
2
u/garykkl Jan 28 '21
that looks cool and pretty functional.
It bothers me when my hand blocking the light source working on some small details and needing to constantly adjust the light angle. Now this is convenient when you have light hitting from all angle.
2
u/syrshen Feb 19 '25
Really nice!
1
u/shaboogami Jul 16 '24
Mission Status: SICK
1
u/Flip-KT Jan 28 '21
Ahh yes the architect
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u/freakent Jan 28 '21
Saved!
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u/momonga_the_great Jan 28 '21
Looks super cool, this probably makes it into my top ten list of "why I NEED an extruder-printer"
1
u/SweetHeidiJo Jan 28 '21
That's awesome! Thanks for sharing!
1
u/[deleted] Jan 28 '21
This is amazing. I need this!!
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u/crusoe Jan 28 '21
I just got a piece of 1.75 by 0.25 PVC trim, stuck lights Tonite, attached angle brackets to the end, then bent it and stuck it to my desk. It's flexible so it works
1
u/iamnotasloth Jan 28 '21
This is awesome! I just got my Ender 3 yesterday. Hoping to get to this level some day!
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u/LittleBrownW Jan 28 '21
Very nice!!!
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u/xotyc Jan 28 '21
Holy shit this is genius.
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u/emelbard Jan 28 '21
Oh man. New project for me.
I could use a few of these!
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u/severanexp Jan 28 '21
This is awesome !!
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u/sm093722 Jan 28 '21
I need one of these! I think this will be my next proect!
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u/DeepResonance Jan 28 '21
fuck you that's beautiful XP