Another 'Brilliant' idea.... that didn't work!

[tng5737]

Laying in bed one night - dreaming of Christmas displays to come - I was suddenly taken with this GREAT idea - SOLID ACRYLIC RODS!!!!  The plan was to bore holes in the bottom (albeit VERY slowly), insert a pixel node and I could make a sort of Wurlitzer Pipe Organ of Light. 
Well, it doesn't work - ok, sort of - as long as you look into the other end of the rod. DUH!!!
Now off to the next BIG IDEA!!!

[skulldan]

What you would need is something in the rod to "catch" the light.
What I have seen done is similar type projects is to drill or etch where you want the light to show.

Maybe drill small holes at various depths and orientations around the rod to diffuse the light as it travels through the rod.

[tng5737]

Well, I had some other ideas along the same lines - including routing or sawing a small groove lengthwise.   Also checking into diffusing by spraying some frost coating on its surface to see if that will help.    What I need is a laser cutter.  Hmm! - maybe if I bought out my local OfficeMax's supply of laser pointers...  :-)

[LtKadeo]

What if you just used a sander on the back side - that might be enough to show off the light for the length of the rod
Ted

[SteveMaris]

Your idea has and can be done.
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[chrisatpsu]

in his video, at lower intensities, the color fades out...  i'd play around with it to see what works for you.

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1" diameter clear extruded acrylic rod $2.31/ft (sold in 6ft lengths)
For decorative use or for manufacturing in production of high quality clear acrylic products. It will not warp, crack, craze, or corrode when subjected to prolonged exposure outdoors. It meets FDA standards and is UV stabilized. It has a forming temp of 350° F. Max continuous temp of 180°F

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1" diameter clear cast acrylic rod $4.22/ft (sold in 6ft lengths)
This rod is ideal for overhead lighting like giant fiber optics. It is the best quality rod manufactured for clarity, machining, or cementing. It will not warp, crack, craze, or corrode when exposed outdoors. High tensile strength, good electrical properties. It meets FDA standards and is UV transmitting. The forming temp is 350°F

[tng5737]

Yes the first item you listed is are the ones I got!  The vid was very interesting - I went back in and re-tried and am not getting anything near the light output seen in those videos.  I have emailed the owner of those videos asking for technical details.  Thanks to Steve for pointing them out.  

[SteveMaris]

Good luck with it, I hope you figure it out. I think it is a great idea. 

[chrisatpsu]

yeah, and post a video, once you get it!   

[Night Owl]

I remember seeing this video earlier and I believe the owner said he put lights on both ends of the rods.

[mmciver]

There is a sample of this on D-light.us website.  A gentleman took the Firefli Pixel strings and epoxied clear acylic 6 foot rods to the pixels.  He them roughed up the opposite end to create reflection.

In the video section their is a tree made up of this and it looks pretty cool.

In the forums section of the same website under 2009 contest (i think), another gentleman with a large channel count built a fence out of acrylic rods attached to firefli pixels  and did exactly what you are talking about.

Looks pretty cool!!!

I will point out that the Firelfli pixel looks alot like the 5050 RBG led modules that we are used to purchasing from Ray Wu.  Specifically the square modules.

EDIT!!!  I found the links:)

you might want to check here:
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Or here:

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and watch the video entitled "Light Saber Tree"

These were both done with LED Pixels and solid plastic rods.

Mike.

[tng5737]

yes, I 've seen those and have also contacted him for details.   
So far, I have used frosted paint on a smallsection -which worked a little better.   Next I used sandpaper to rough up a small section - works better.  I have also tried putting scotch tape on the back side which also helped.    I think my next step willbe to use a low flame to 'polish' where I drilled the hole for the led.  That should help get some more light output.  O am experimenting with an extra rod which I purchased just to experiment with.   I did find out that I should have gotten the cast type of acrylic - I bought the extruded since I thought it would be more 'monolithic' and xmit light better.  So if anyone is thinking of doing this - buy the cast acrylic!

[chrisatpsu]

i was going to mention that.
The clear cast mentions...
"This rod is ideal for overhead lighting like giant fiber optics."

[ron d]

how about sandblasting it to create the finish? I am looking into something kinda similar for a small feature and might use 1/4" plastic ans simply sandblast it to create an opaque finish and help diffuse the light while maximizing the output an glow of the plastic. Just a thought.

[vairmoose]

My thought would be to use a medium grit sandpaper to ruff the surface.   


Larry