I have located 2 local vendors for the polycarbonate panels. They do not stock them and I will have to place a $500 minimum order + shipping. I have ordered samples of 6, 8, 10 12 mm in polycarbonate and acrylic double wall and triple wall. There are many online vendors and I may have to try one of them out. All the suppliers specify the thickness, light reflection, r value. Few have construction details, will the lights fit inside.
At 1.25 to $5.00 a square foot, and shipping on a 4x8 sheet, WOW. ROAD TRIP.
I want to make sure I get the right size.
When I found these panels I did not have a plan on what I was going to do with them, Then I found that the lights would fit inside, and a matrix was on the list. The only measurements I took was to make the wood frames, everything else was cut n try. I didn't think a 24x30 matrix was going to look so good, I just wanted to try it out. Maybe I will add more lights and do a teardown, there is 1 bad pixel, no green. I like the idea of multi season display, heads for Halloween, hearts for valentines, flags for the 4Th, snowmen for Christmas, eggs stars, flowers. The list just goes on.
I will do some sort of a build list once I find what I am looking for, and get a price I can handle. I would like to get a parts list everyone can do.
I did see a project like this before, can't find the link. It was something used on a stage, and diy
The ball things "poppers" are another problem. Treating them as a matrix works OK. Having the lights move outside to center, center out, no problem. Trying to get lights to move front to back, left to right, or around in a circle, problem. The only thing I have figured, is to use different models. And how do you lay out the channel configuration? Light software just isn't set up for a 3D object.
Finding a pre made ball, good luck. The porcupine is good if you use 1/2 PVC. I want to use PEX. 3/4 PEX is close to 1/2 PVC. I have to drill out the holes, not much left on the ball. Using adapters, gets heavy. Might as well stick with steel and a welder.
Why do simple looking things get so difficult?