How to make 3D Printed LED signs - easier & cheaper tutorial

Summary

In this tutorial, Lucy walks through how to create 3D printed LED signs, showcasing the materials and tools available on Timu, a platform offering great prices and quality. She demonstrates using Fusion 360 to design custom text and LED mounting spaces, then shows how to print and assemble the parts using a variety of filaments and a plastic welding gun. Lucy emphasizes the ease of mounting the sign with adhesive strips, and shares tips for creating a professional-looking, personalized LED sign. Timu sponsors the video, offering a €100 voucher to new customers through a promo code.

Takeaways

• 😀 Timu is an online platform offering a wide selection of products at great prices, including items for creating 3D printed LED signs.
• 😀 You can get a €100 voucher on Timu as a new customer by using a special code available in the video description or pinned comment.
• 😀 The LED sign tutorial involves using Fusion 360 for designing and 3D printing individual letters that will house LED strips.
• 😀 A good font choice for the sign is a thick one, like the 'Bungee' font, which provides enough room for the LED strip.
• 😀 The tutorial demonstrates how to create the sign by using the text tool in Fusion 360, creating outlines for the letters, and adjusting their spacing.
• 😀 The sign design includes adding inner and outer offsets to the letters and using tools like trim and offset to clean up and refine the design.
• 😀 The project involves creating a base for each letter to hold the LED strip, with specific measurements for the height and width of each letter.
• 😀 The LED strip is attached to the sign using adhesive, and the sign can be mounted without drilling using adhesive wall strips.
• 😀 Timu provides free shipping and returns for 90 days, making it easy to try out products without risk.
• 😀 The video includes tips on creating clean 3D prints, like using a welding gun for bonding parts together securely and using super glue for an initial hold.
• 😀 The final product is an illuminated LED sign that can be customized with different filament colors and fonts, offering a creative and DIY way to make personalized signs.

Q & A

What tools and materials are required for making the 3D printed LED sign?

You will need Fusion 360 for design, a 3D printer, LED strips (5m strips are recommended), plastic welding gun, 3D filament (such as color gradient filament), wall adhesive strips, and super glue. Optional items include a soldering iron and metal staples for welding the parts together.

Where can you purchase the materials needed for this project?

The materials can be purchased from Timu, an online platform with a wide range of products at affordable prices. Timu also offers free shipping and returns for up to 90 days.

What is the best font to use for the LED sign design in Fusion 360?

A thick font like 'Bungee' is recommended because it provides enough room for the LED strip to fit. You can download and install fonts from Google Fonts.

What size should the text be for the LED sign in Fusion 360?

The height of the text should be around 140 to 150 mm. The text height in Fusion 360 is set to 130 mm, allowing for an offset later in the design process.

How do you adjust the spacing of letters in Fusion 360?

You can select each letter and use the 'Move' tool to adjust the spacing. You can either drag the letter to the desired position or input the exact distance.

What is the purpose of the offset tool in the design process?

The offset tool creates an additional outline around each letter. The offset thickness can be customized, but it is recommended that the offsets of each letter overlap to ensure proper fitting for the LED strips.

Why is it important to hide unnecessary lines in the design?

Hiding unnecessary lines helps declutter the workspace and ensures that only the necessary outlines and components are visible, making it easier to work on the design and refine the letters.

How do you make sure the caps fit correctly on the 3D printed letters?

To ensure the caps fit properly, a small tolerance (e.g., 0.05 mm) is added to the edges. This allows for a loose fit, so the caps can be easily attached without being too tight.

What should be done before welding the 3D printed parts together?

Before using the plastic welding gun, it is recommended to glue the parts together using super glue and lightly sand the surfaces to improve adhesion. This helps create a temporary bond before welding.

What is the purpose of the wall adhesive strips in the assembly process?

Wall adhesive strips are used to mount the LED sign on a wall without drilling holes. They are easy to adjust and remove, providing a convenient and damage-free solution for hanging the sign.