Simple USB LED Lasercut Edge-Lit Perspex Sign

In this resource, we show you how to make an edge-lit deer using a USB powered 5V LED Strip Board! It features five ultra-bright LEDs, a micro USB connection for power, and a switch.

The LED Strip is a board we used is designed for low power lightings, such as desk lamps or accent lights. The board is designed such that it is within the of the supply rating of a computer USB port (under 100mA). This, and it's small physical footprint (50mm x 10mm), makes it ideal for this application.

This is a fairly simple build which then results in a very effective outcome. Once the laser has done most of the work for us, all that is left is some straightforward assembly.

Materials That We Used:

• Midnight Black Perspex Sheet (Frosted) 3mm x 600mm x 400mm,
• Clear Perspex Sheet (Cast) 5mm x 600mm x 400mm,
• 4 x M3 x 12mm Machine Screws,
• 1 x M3 x 6mm Machine Screw,
• 5V LED Lit Strip Board,
• A Micro USB Cable,
• A USB Power Supply.
• Our DXF Design Files.

Download the DXF files, then import the files into your laser cutter software.

Laser-cut the ‘BASE-PANELS.dxf’ out of your choice of 3mm Material, we used Midnight Black Perspex. Laser-cut the ‘EDGE-LIT-DEER Panel.dxf’ out of 5mm Clear Perspex. Set the Deer to engrave, and the outer rectangle to cut.  

Use the M3 x 6mm Machine Screw to attach the 5V Edge-Lit Strip Board to the base panel. Stack the remaining panels in the following order.  

Push the 4 x M3 x 12mm Machine Screws through the stack from the bottom, and screw into place. The uppermost panels have slightly smaller holes to make a friction fit with the screw thread.  

Plug in the USB connection, drop the engraved clear perspex onto the top, and then switch it on!  

Why not give it a go and make your own design! Simply import the ‘BLANK-TEMPLATE.dxf’ into your chosen CAD Software & then see what you can come up with..