Easy DIY Hexaleaf/Nanoleaf LED-Panel

Since Nanoleaf LED panels look super cool but are also super expensive, I wanted to build one myself.

I looked at different tutorials all around the internet but none of them satisfied me 100% because they were mostly too thick and stood out too far from the wall.

Also, they mostly required a 3D-printer, a CNC machine, or some programming skills, so I decided to make my own version that really everybody can build.

• RGB LED strip
  I used this one from Amazon because it has a very small IR-reciever:
  https://www.amazon.de/MYPLUS-IR-Fernbedienung-Stro...
  

• 3D-printer and white Filament
  OR
  a normal printer and thick paper you can print on

• cardboard

• tinfoil

• glue (hotglue comes in handy but isn't necessary)

First, you have to plan how you want your led panel to look. You can use one of the above patterns or make your own. Using a 5 meter long LED strip you can make seven to eight pieces and arrange them however you like.

Check if your strip is working correctly before you start the build.

Once you have decided how many pieces you have to make go on to the next step.

Step 3 shows how to build them without a 3D-printer

If you have access to a 3D-printer I recommend printing them out. You can just use normal white filament but you have to activate vase mode in your slicer.

The printer then only prints a few bottom layers and then it prints the outline in a spiral. This way the cover is very thin and light can pass through. In my case, two bottom layers at .2mm layer height turned out to be perfect. The light could pass through easily but the single LEDs weren't too visible.

This might be different for your filament so maybe print a test piece in the beginning.

The cover has a diameter of 19 cm (~7.5 inches) to fit most 3D-printers. If you want it to be bigger or smaller you can just scale it up or down in your slicer.

If you've already 3D-printed them, skip this step

If you don't have access to a 3D-printer or you don't want to wait for the pieces to print you can make them out of paper.

Print out this template, cut it out at the continuous lines, and fold it at the dashed lines. Glue it together at the small lashes to finish it up.

You got to use rather thick paper to make the covers stable enough. Don't worry if it feels wobbly, the back panels will add quite a lot of stability.

Print out the template, and use it to cut out the hexagons from cardboard.

Now glue them onto the dull side of the aluminum foil and cut the foil. Leave a brim so that you can fold it around the edges of the cardboard. Secure it with some tape if you like.

Lay out the covers on a table and arrange them how you planned. Notice that you have to mirror the pattern because you're looking at it from the back.

Glue all the touching edges together and wait until the glue has dried before you go on.

That's the trickiest part of the build because you have to put the strip in one piece into your panel

First, you got to use a wirecutter to cut out little gaps where the covers are glued together. View the pictures above to figure out where to cut them.

Now you can gradually glue the led strip into the covers. following the red line with the orange arrows. Leave some space between the strip and the edge of the panel so later the back panels fit in easier.

Start by gluing the receiver onto the outside right next to the gap and fold the strip over on the inside. From here follow the red line with the orange arrows until you're back at the beginning.

Cut off the rest of the strip and put a little piece of tape over all of the copper contacts.

If you've made your own design I recommend sketching out the path first.

Now take the back panels and glue them into the white panels with the tinfoil facing down (into the panel). It will help to reflect the light of the LED strip and give your LED panel an even glow.

Hot glue comes in very handy for this step.

Use tape to secure the single panels from the backside and to make it more stable.

Since the panel is very lightweight, you can use Power Strips or nails to hang it up.

Have fun :)