USB Desk Lamp KS3 Design Technology Project

This is a design created by a student from Milford Haven School in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

As part of our Systems and Control, Design Technology work at Key Stage 3 (11-14) I deliver a project where students design and make energy efficient lamps. The lamps are made using a basic 1m USB cable then a simple LED,resistor circuit is soldered to the end. *see our other instructables to learn how we make the circuit.

The class can follow some scaffolded design ideas or they can go their own way and design their own lamp, this is one such idea where a student investigated articulation, they were inspired by the helping hands clamp they used to make their circuit.

I love this idea for it's elegant solution to articulation, it works really well. It uses found and upcycled components (the black balls are from an empty roll on deodorant and the shade is the lid of the deodorant).

We also investigate how to create active control systems for theie lamps using Microbit, BLe remote control, clap on/off, dimming, toggle finctions, auto off etc.

If you have any questions or feedback please leave a comment, I will pass it on the the class who love to see their work showcased on Instructables.

You will need access to:

1. Soldering iron, stand, extractor
2. Ultrabright LED (white), 150 Ohm resistor, USB cable (new or upcycled- upcycled you will need to check for positive and negative conductors and cut the others back.
3. Laser cutter for the side panels
4. 3D Printer for the socket swivel and captive nut spinner (optional- you can use an M6 wingnut or bolt)
5. M6 coach bolt (with square shank)
6. Timber for base
7. Woodworking equipment (Pillar Drill, flat bit to counterbore and 6.5mm HSS bit to drill for the M6 bolt)
8. Recyced deodorant balls (2x) and a cap for the shade.

You can extract the STLs for 3D printing and SVGs for laser cutting (I use Inkscape to convert the SVG to a DXF if, like me, your laser needs that format) from the Tinkercad drawing above. Alternatively I have made the fabrication files below. The sides were made from 4mm ply but I guess any sheet material you can llaser would work.

The side panels are different, one has a square hole so that the coach bolt locks in place.

Key to exploded drawing:

A: Square hole panel (Laser cut)

B: Round hole panel (Laser cut)

C: Base (22mm Pine)

D: Deodorant balls (2x)

E: M6 Coach Bolts (2x)

F: Deodorant lid

G: M6 nut spinners (2x 3D printed))

H: Swivel Socket (3D printed)