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614 Views 4 Replies Latest reply: Sep 6, 2011 3:30 PM by ChiFocus RSS
vertie88 PremierFarnell
vertie88
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Jul 15, 2011 2:31 PM

LED Table Ideas?

Thinking of creating a party table of sorts, using LED's to light a sequence of actions. I'm thinking of also buying a plastic folding table (standard purchase from your local wal-mart, etc) that folds up so it can be made portable. What I would like to do is create some cut-outs in the plastic and insert plexi-glass pieces that will be lit up by LEDs, but I'm unfamiliar on the type of mounting I should use for this application as well as how it should be powered (and sealed to be splashproof). If anyone could offer up some ideas, I would love to see what ideas are out there. Thanks!

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  • Cabe Atwell Level 10
    Cabe Atwell
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. Jul 15, 2011 3:28 PM (in response to vertie88)
    Re: LED Table Ideas?

    I had the same idea. It would be fun.

     

    First start by designing and controlling an LED matrix the size of the table you want to build. The more dense the LEDs the cooler it will be, in my opinion.

    Take a look at this post about LED matrices.

     

    A really fun feature to add is touch input. I found a way to use LEDs for detecting "touch" through the blocking of light levels. Read my post "Touch interface by detecting light levels in a single LED."

     

    Of course, post your build as you progress here on element14.

     

    If you need help, feel free to ask us [the community].

     

    Cabe

  • Cabe Atwell Level 10
    Cabe Atwell
    Currently Being Moderated
    2. Jul 15, 2011 3:26 PM (in response to Cabe Atwell)
    Re: LED Table Ideas?

    Bryan,

     

    You should move your question here to the Lighting group or the Open Source Hardware section.

     

    Cabe

  • vertie88 PremierFarnell
    vertie88
    Currently Being Moderated
    3. Jul 22, 2011 2:56 PM (in response to Cabe Atwell)
    Re: LED Table Ideas?

    Thanks Cabe, I appreciate your feedback. I'm beginning to wonder if this project may be over my head. I'm good with components and general household electronics..tinkering, etc...but when it comes to setting up boards and the circuitry of them, I get stumped. Is there any way of accomplishing my end goal without having to attach a board to the project? I'm not sure if maybe there is/isn't a way of running power directly to a surface mount LED of some sort..this is what I had envisioned at first...if its not possible, any suggestions? Thanks.

  • ChiFocus Level 1
    ChiFocus
    Currently Being Moderated
    4. Sep 6, 2011 3:30 PM (in response to vertie88)
    Re: LED Table Ideas?

    Similarly to how LED tv's & LCD monitors work, you can edgelight a sheet of plex or acrylic with a purchase-finished LED strip.  There are methods you can use on standard plex (laser etch / printed dots / embossing) to uniformly extract the LED light.  Or you can purchase acrylic that has light extraction features already included. 

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