The Protein Lamp

Description:

  • Tired of boring old lamps? Look no further than the protein lamp
  • It’s the strongest lamp around. Made from a collection of old protein powder containers this lamp is like no other
  • Featuring a series of 3D printed connectors, LED light strips, and good old-fashioned light bulb on top, this lamp is a fusion of classical lamp technology with a protein infused modern flare

Objectives: 

  • Create a unique lamp/ showpiece for my new apartment
  • Master the craft of 3D printed threading
  • Expand capabilities with electronic control systems and gain experience with electrical component specification

Future Improvements:

  • Improve the functionality of the remote-control system to offer more light animations and options

Constraints:

  • Budget: $125
  • All electrical components must be safely spec’d for the intended use
  • Must utilize as many protein powder containers as possible
  • Must be creative and unique

Manufacturing:

  • All spacers, and the base, were 3D printed using matte PLA
  • Using a spade bit, each container received a 1-inch hole on its bottom side
  • The lamp shade and lamp shade holder were 3D printed with PETG for superior heat resistance
  • Each LED strip was individually wired and connected to a common electrical block. The system runs on 10 amps of 5V power delivery

Design:

  • Excluding Arduino code and the protein containers, this entire design was created by me
  • The design features a modular stacking system. Each protein powder container is connected with a 3D printed spacer
  • Creating the spacers was an exercise in reverse-engineering. Starting with a pair of calipers and some test-prints, ideal dimension for the threads were honed in across several iterations
  • The bottom of each protein container is secured with a smaller 1-inch thread interface and a large 3D printed nut
  • Each spacer also features an integrated groove for a 30-LED strip to sit
  • The lamp shade and shade holder are both free-handed designs simply made to look cool
  • The controller for the LEDs is an Arduino nano running a custom code to program light sequences and recieve IR input from a small remote. 

Finished Project:

  • The final lamp now serves its dual purpose as a light fixture and show-piece in my new apartment
  • The code running on the lamp was written with extensive assistance from Copilot