DIY LED Fosshape Horns

Solar botics
November 17, 2016

horns2

A handy tutorial explaining how to put together the RGB LED Horns. Make your own, or get a kit with everything included (except for the paint).

Supplies:
Fosshape 300
2 x slow scroll RGB LED
2 x coin cell batteries
conductive thread
2 x coin cell battery holder - sewable
2 x pieces of velcro (hook side)

dimensional fabric paint (like this) - not included in the kit

Tools:
scissors
needle
heat gun
needlenose pliers
clear nail polish - optional

Step 1. Patternimg_0890Cut out your own pattern - a simple triangle and a circle for the base.

Step 2. Shape the hornimg_0898Sew the triangle along the long edge. Shrink and form it over the heat gun - make sure to watch the fabric, when heated too much it will melt and form holes. Instead of trying to form the hot Fosshape with your hands, the best way to harden the shape is to hold it above the heat gun making sure to heat it evenly and let it shrink. Shrink the bases too while keeping them flat, but don't sew them on yet.

Step 3. LEDs preparationimg_0908With needlenose pliers curl up the LED legs and bend them 90 degrees so that the loops sit flat when the LED is facing up.

Step 4. Battery holder

img_0907img_0911Grab the battery holder, a coin cell and the base and attach the LED using conductive thread. Make sure the polarity of LED and battery are correct. If everything is wired right the LED will light up.

Step 5. Sew the baseimg_0965Sew the base to the horn like shown and add a little tab of Fosshape and Velcro to the opposite side in order to keep it in place. Paint some clear nail polish on the bottom of the horns to isolate the conductive thread from touching the metal of the hair clip. Alternatively, you can fluff up the small scraps of Fosshape and fuse them over the stitches to protect the conductive thread.

Step 6. Paintimg_0966Embellish the horns with a pattern of your choice using the Tulip paint. It will take about 4 hours to dry. The Fosshape disperses the light quite nicely.

Step 7. Hair clipimg_1033Hot glue the hair clips to the bottom of each horn. Alternatively, you can sew the finished horns to hair clips or a head band.img_0968web

MORE POSTS

September 28, 2008
BEAM as part of thesis work

Rory Nugent (of Solar Xylophone fame) has posted his thesis presentation to the Interactive Telecommunications Program, which heavily features BEAM devices. By "building things with a sense of life", he's documenting what we've known for a good while - autonomous devices ("pets") offer unusual interesting relationships. Keep up the good work!

July 12, 2016
Fosshape and Wonderflex at Solarbotics

With our recent experiences with the costuming and cosplay communities, we've learned a lot about new materials that cosplayers use for making masks, props and armour. That added a few new words to our vocabulary and awesome new items to our inventory. First, Fosshape. It is a felt-like polyester fabric that can be stretched and […]

July 9, 2014
Wednesday Links: The Cloud, Laser Wood a...

Well, we missed out on spring, but summer is finally here and it is hot! And that means we have fireworks, mosquitoes, green stuff on trees, bunnies and sparrows, air conditioning, donuts, lasers, er... that is year round. That’s why today we have some thunder clouds in order to provide some cooling, laser bent wood […]

January 2, 2013
Wednesday Cool Links: First Batch for 20...

Well, it appears that some people around the office are a bit grumpy after having to come back from their nice long winter hibernation. But it's the New Year! Time to feel awesome and optimistic and bubbly about the upcoming year full of possibilities. That's okay though, they just need to be injected with a […]

Solarbotics Ltd Logo
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!

Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.

Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.

cart