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  • Author Author: fmilburn
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3D Printed Right Angle LED Indicators

fmilburn

I have used right angle LED indicators on a number of projects in the past and have a small collection of them.

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The problem with such things, even were I to have a larger collection, is I never seem to have the right one when I need it.  In the past I have had to make do with the wrong color, wait on an order, or even just bend LEDs over without a fixture. But now I have a 3D printer that needs warming up so I decided to see if I could print a fixture.  The specifications I set for the trial are:

 

  • 5mm LED
  • 2.54 mm (0.1") lead spacing
  • Sized to fit together in a row if desired on regular 0.1" perfboard or breadboard

 

This would seem easy enough but actually it is on the edge of what my little printer can do.  I had to tweak hole size and such for a while to finally get something that works.  Here is what the model looks like:

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And here is what it looks like after slicing:

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It is simple to assemble...  Insert the LED and bend the leads :-)

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And here are several in a breadboard lined up and working:

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It would be easy to print a 2, 3, or 4 gang horizontal fixture or even stack them.  If needed, the height, LED size, etc. can be modified.  They don't look as nice as the commercial ones of course and are a bit clunkier.  They are quick and easy however and only take about 3 minutes to print.  So next time I only need a couple and don't have a full order ready, no problem.

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  • Frank,

     

    Great looking results.  Nice use of your 3D printer!  I was looking for a similar product for surface mount LEDs.  On my PiCasso project, I was using an RGB surface mount LED to in normal orientation and I was looking for some right angle LEDs with similar specifications to provide side illumination, but I was unable to find a suitable match.  In the process I was thinking that it would be cool if someone made an adapter that would could switch the normal orientation into right angle (much easier with leads).

     

    Nice work!

    Gene

  • in reply to genebren

    Hi Gene,

     

    Is it possible to have transparent/translucent filament plastic? If so, light pipes could be possible. I feel it could be a great use-case if it works.

  • in reply to shabaz

    Hello Shabaz,

     

    There is translucent filament available, it diffuses the light a lot because the end result won't be transparent 100% mostly because of the material properties itself and because the 3D printing technology will add a lot of texture, also the end result may require some isolation (like paint, darker plastic part) because the light leaks everywhere. But in short it does work but requires a bit of extra work.

     

    Luis

  • in reply to shabaz

    I like the idea of light piping (clear plastic filament), but I was looking for a wide illumination pattern (light piping tends to narrow the beam too much).

     

    Thanks!

    Gene

  • in reply to luislabmo

    Hi Luis,

     

    Ahh, I see. Thanks for the info!

    I'm also wondering if 3D printers lend themselves to making molds. For example, a mold where transparent liquid epoxy could be poured in. Overkill for a single LED, but useful for interesting lamp projects.

    I once made a moon lamp, using transparent epoxy deliberately clouded, with several high-power LEDs embedded. It worked, but it was really difficult to make the mold. The texture could be an issue for that too, but maybe acceptable if a new mold is printed each time (i.e. destructively removed).

  • in reply to shabaz

    Hi Shabaz,

     

    I have seen several videos on using 3D printers for molds.  The print come out kind of rough due to layers but can be smoothed.  There is even a "lost PLA" method for casting metal.  Haven't tried it myself yet though.

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