Keep in mind that the number of IO ports will increase exponentially. You also need 8 IO ports to drive the cathodes. For an 8x8x8 (x=8), you need 64 IO ports to drive the LED anodes. One to source all the LED anode columns, and one to sink all the cathode layers.įor the anode side of the cube, you'll need x^2 IO ports, where x^3 is the size of your LED cube. To drive a LED cube, you need two sets of IO ports. The columns will be referred to as columns, anode columns or anodes. The layers will be referred to as layers, cathode layers or ground layers. Then turn on the transistor for the next layer. To display the next layer, simply turn off the transistor for the current layer, change the image on the 64 anode wires to the image for the next layer. The transistors for the other layers are off, and the image outputted on the 64 anode wires are only shown on the selected layer. Each of the 8 layers also have a separate wire going to the controller board.Įach of the layers are connected to a transistor that enables the cube to turn on and off the flow of current through each layer.īy only turning on the transistor for one layer, current from the anode columns can only flow through that layer. Each column can be controlled individually. All the anode legs in one column are soldered together.Įach of the 64 columns are connected to the controller board with a separate wire. The cathode legs of every LED in a layer are soldered together. The LED cube is made up of columns and layers. But let's stick to the flow of current which is from positive to negative for now). (If i remember correctly the actual flow of electrons is the other way around. In order to light up an LED, you have to run current from the positive to the negative leg. One positive (the anode) and one negative (cathode). We are going to be talking about anodes, cathodes, columns and layers, so lets take a moment to get familiar with the anatomy of a LED cube.Īn LED has two legs. The thing they don't have is 1000 different versions of that thing that you need, so browsing their inventory is a lot less confusing than buying from those bigger companies. Try doing som eBay searches and buy some components for future projects!Īnother one of our favorite stores is Futurlec ( ). If you buy these types of assortments, you will almost always have the parts you need in your part collection.įor 17 USD you can get 2000 resistors of 50 different values.
You can get assortments of resistor, capacitors, transistors and everything in between. We are big fans of buying really cheap component lots on eBay. Most of the time, it is more important to actually have the component value at hand when you need it. When you're working with hobby electronics, you don't necessarily need the most expensive components with the best quality. We see a lot of people asking for part numbers for DigiKey, Mouser or other big electronics stores. You choose color and size.ĥv power supply (see separate step for power supply) The type with copper "eyes", see image.ġx ATmega32 microcontroller (you can also use the pin-compatible ATmega16)ģx status LEDs. (see separate step for ohm value)ġx or 2x large prototype PCBs. Here is what you need to make a LED cube:ĥ12x LEDs (plus some extra for making mistakes!)Ħ4x resistors.
#Arduino led cubes free
You should also have patience and a generous amount of free time. We provide a fully functional program, ready to go) (We would recommend against building this as your very first electronics project. With that said, there are still some things you should know before venturing out and building this rather large project.īasic electronics. And believe me, this makes it A LOT easier to do electronics! I went from only being able to build simple analog circuits, to being able to build almost anything!Ī digital circuit doesn't care if a resistor is 1k ohm or 2k ohm, as long as it can distinguish high from low. This completely changed my relationship with electronics. One resistor or capacitor with a slightly wrong value, and the circuit doesn't work.Ībout 4 years ago, I decided to give microcontrollers a try. The analog circuits failed over half the time even if i followed instructions. I've been doing electronics for a long time, and for years i struggled with analog circuits. However, we are dealing with digital electronics here, so everything is either on or off! At first glance this project might seem like an overly complex and daunting task.
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