Blue flower fabrication

Img 8598 Std
This is really pretty, Mang writes -

"These surface mount LEDs are nice since they aren't point sources and don't burn your retinas." - Link & build photos & how-to.


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: guero on February 1, 2007 at 8:41 AM

Instead of making two transfers and trying to match them up with registration marks, why not simply mask ALL of the back side of the copper sheet and just etch through from the front? Seems like that would be easier (although perhaps a little slower). You could just paint the back with fingernail polish or something


Posted by: Dirkus on February 1, 2007 at 10:44 AM

This is very cool, if I had the materials handy, I might even try making a bouquet like this for my wife for valentines. It may also be interesting to etch a short love poem into the outer edge of the flower, using a fine tip sharpie for a resist.


Posted by: Joebar on February 1, 2007 at 11:18 AM

Duck and cover it's a bomb!!!


Posted by: monopole on February 1, 2007 at 2:10 PM

If it doesn't cause retinal damage, you're not doing it right:
http://www.e-f-w.com/community/content.php?cid=b3b5c156c1521844e1a70ba6517e2c86


Posted by: chaintool on February 2, 2007 at 8:35 AM

Yo, yo.... does anyone know what he uses for his power supply? When you take the flower out it dims but lights up when it goes back in the vase?


Posted by: Dirkus on February 2, 2007 at 2:03 PM

See, I KNEW someone was going to have to make the requisite Boston reference. You have no idea how close I came with my previous post.


Posted by: mangtronix on February 2, 2007 at 8:50 PM

Guero -- Masking the whole back would work. It wasn't that hard to get the two sides to align... probably easier overall than painting the back. I was thinking some kind of adhesive vinyl might work and make it easier to handle the small pieces.

chaintool -- The power supply is a coil of wire being driven with a square wave (generated by a microcontroller and a transistor). The power gets transferred inductively to a similar coil (with a steel bolt inside) on the base of the flower. It works the same way as those rechargeable toothbrushes that are totally sealed and sit in a base to charge. The coil on the flower needs to be inside the coil in the base, so that's why you get the gradual dimming as you take it out.

Some more pics:
power supply (hacked a toothbrush to figure it out, then built my own from scratch)
finished piece with coils visible


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
Holiday Gift Guides from MAKE
Gifts for Dads
Science and Chemistry
Gifts Under $20
More guides: Santa Claus Machines, Geek Toys for Grown Up Girls & Boys


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest
Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Beetlebot Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog