Uploaded October 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
LASER Pixel Spindle
Aruino nano
several lasers
chopsticks
wood
drill +hole cutter
steel wire
If you like, you might wanna check out my youtube channel
youtube.com/user/freedscript
and my artists website
dscript.org
Old idea, just done with arduino DIY.
This is a VERY DIY build. the proper parts could easily be used and they are not expensive. with bearings and proper support the speed and frequency can go much higher obviously.
Hard to scale too big without absolute speed of outer screw blades getting too high.
Best to use plastic or paper for screw blades. you want the light to glow through as well.(the pixel should be visible form the side the laser hits and the back side as well for maximum visibility)
I used a 10cm diameter circle, with a 1 diameter circle cut out of the centre. the sliced open along the radius and wrapped around the chopstick.
to support, balance and reduce friction of the opposite end of the chopstick, there is a large hole with a spider web of thin steel wire. somewhat elastic, smooth and easily adjustable. fine for prototype, kinda crappy but if this works, then the right parts will definitely work ;)
there is an aligned array of lasers, connected to arduino and timed on and off to draw pixels in the correct locations.
Cycle is sensed by a laser pointed through the near middle of the screw and an infrared sensor receiving it. the red laser is just barely clear enough of an infrared signal to pick up reliably (except in sunlight ;)). if you look at the chopstick from the top there is an area where the perimeter caves in and and the radius shortens drastically then come back up. the laser passes through this region so it pulses with the spin cycle.
If you like, you might wanna check out my youtube channel
youtube.com/user/freedscript
and my artists website
dscript.org
Keep on hacking :)
LASER Pixel Spindle
Aruino nano
several lasers
chopsticks
wood
drill +hole cutter
steel wire
If you like, you might wanna check out my youtube channel
youtube.com/user/freedscript
and my artists website
dscript.org
Old idea, just done with arduino DIY.
This is a VERY DIY build. the proper parts could easily be used and they are not expensive. with bearings and proper support the speed and frequency can go much higher obviously.
Hard to scale too big without absolute speed of outer screw blades getting too high.
Best to use plastic or paper for screw blades. you want the light to glow through as well.(the pixel should be visible form the side the laser hits and the back side as well for maximum visibility)
I used a 10cm diameter circle, with a 1 diameter circle cut out of the centre. the sliced open along the radius and wrapped around the chopstick.
to support, balance and reduce friction of the opposite end of the chopstick, there is a large hole with a spider web of thin steel wire. somewhat elastic, smooth and easily adjustable. fine for prototype, kinda crappy but if this works, then the right parts will definitely work ;)
there is an aligned array of lasers, connected to arduino and timed on and off to draw pixels in the correct locations.
Cycle is sensed by a laser pointed through the near middle of the screw and an infrared sensor receiving it. the red laser is just barely clear enough of an infrared signal to pick up reliably (except in sunlight ;)). if you look at the chopstick from the top there is an area where the perimeter caves in and and the radius shortens drastically then come back up. the laser passes through this region so it pulses with the spin cycle.
If you like, you might wanna check out my youtube channel
youtube.com/user/freedscript
and my artists website
dscript.org
Keep on hacking :)
