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Creating back lit TOYOTA letters for Pro Grill printed in clear ABS

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by prerunnerseth, Jan 21, 2020.

  1. Jan 21, 2020 at 4:16 PM
    #1
    prerunnerseth

    prerunnerseth [OP] New Member

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    I saw a someone had made shadow back lit letters for the TRD Pro Grill. I have decided to give this a try with my own spin. I will be 3D printing the letters using clear abs filament. I will then paint the raised part on top with silver paint (to reflect light back in) then final coat with MGM. I have started with the T. The model has been designed to be screwed into place from the back side using the alignment holes. Right now it is designed to use 3 x 5mm through hole LEDs. I may change this once I finish the first prototype. Once the project is complete I will publish the models.

    Here is the model for the T to give you an idea.
    toyota T 1.jpg toyota T 2.jpg
     
    mlucas555, rodm1, Rustyscrew and 14 others like this.
  2. Jan 21, 2020 at 5:05 PM
    #2
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    That is cool.:thumbsup:
     
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  3. Jan 21, 2020 at 5:10 PM
    #3
    saybng

    saybng Just a member.

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    Cant wait to see you progress on this..:thumbsup:
     
  4. Jan 21, 2020 at 5:12 PM
    #4
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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  5. Jan 21, 2020 at 5:15 PM
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    Black@Blue19

    Black@Blue19 Old Salt

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    To much to list:)
    Way nice idea. Should look dang good!!!:)
     
  6. Jan 21, 2020 at 5:21 PM
    #6
    prerunnerseth

    prerunnerseth [OP] New Member

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    May have to switch to solid infill. Can see the infill through the sides. May not matter though. Will see when its done. Will probably tweak some settings though as it's not printing the best. My first time using this clear filament.

    20200121_201956.jpg
     
  7. Jan 21, 2020 at 5:38 PM
    #7
    Midnite72

    Midnite72 Anything DIRT !!

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    VERY NICE !!

    :popcorn:
     
  8. Jan 21, 2020 at 6:42 PM
    #8
    Johnsonman

    Johnsonman New Member

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  9. Jan 21, 2020 at 7:45 PM
    #9
    GAknight

    GAknight New Member

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    Too many…scratch that…not done yet.
     
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  10. Jan 22, 2020 at 4:11 AM
    #10
    prerunnerseth

    prerunnerseth [OP] New Member

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    So the bottom layers need some help. I just need to tweak some settings. The top layers came out sweet. Its definitely good enough to test how well it carries the light. Ill get the raised part painted and wire up the leds to test. Overall though it is very encouraging.

    20200122_065937.jpg
     
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  11. Jan 22, 2020 at 5:44 AM
    #11
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    Nice. :thumbsup:
     
  12. Jan 22, 2020 at 5:46 AM
    #12
    azTony

    azTony member since sept, 2017 and over 1,600 messages

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  13. Jan 22, 2020 at 5:56 AM
    #13
    prerunnerseth

    prerunnerseth [OP] New Member

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    Sanded it a little to make the surface smoother and more consistant. Looks a lot better. Also going to try beveling the part that will stay translucent so that i can print it upside down. The channels for the leds and wiring came out really bad.

    20200122_080510.jpg 1579701286376_toyota t v2.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Jan 22, 2020 at 6:02 AM
    #14
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    None yet
    So yours are going to be one solid piece? I have these already, made by someone else
     
  15. Jan 22, 2020 at 6:03 AM
    #15
    prerunnerseth

    prerunnerseth [OP] New Member

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    Yes. Will be one solid piece.
     
  16. Jan 22, 2020 at 6:08 AM
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    Rubberdown

    Rubberdown Spilling my guts here.

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    I have tried edge lighting 3D printed stuff and didn’t have great results. Since it isn’t a single solid piece the light diffused throughout the piece and it didn’t really light up as I hoped.

    Your use case seems more in line with a CNC router carved piece of acrylic, made of multiple pieces and glued together.
     
  17. Jan 22, 2020 at 6:10 AM
    #17
    prerunnerseth

    prerunnerseth [OP] New Member

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    I tested it already with some blue leds. I actually think it's going to work pretty good. I have some white leds coming in tomorrow. I dont need to have perfect lighting for this to work well. We will see. Would probably be perfect on a SLA printer.
     
  18. Jan 22, 2020 at 6:12 AM
    #18
    TundraDude18

    TundraDude18 Deus vult

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  19. Jan 22, 2020 at 6:32 AM
    #19
    prerunnerseth

    prerunnerseth [OP] New Member

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    Covered up the raised part with electrical tape to test. There are definitely hot spots. They're not as noticeable in person as they are on the phone. I think it will looks good from any amount of distance. if not i can add more smaller LEDs to get more even lighting.

    20200122_092916.jpg
     
  20. Jan 22, 2020 at 7:15 AM
    #20
    13TundraRW

    13TundraRW New Member

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    Looking good. Can't wait to see it finished.
     
  21. Jan 22, 2020 at 7:19 AM
    #21
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    :thumbsup:
     
  22. Jan 22, 2020 at 12:37 PM
    #22
    BlueRibbon4x4

    BlueRibbon4x4 Let’s color match it

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    They look great. Do you have a link on the leds you’re using? How will you waterproof them?
     
  23. Jan 22, 2020 at 12:40 PM
    #23
    prerunnerseth

    prerunnerseth [OP] New Member

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    Just using generic 5mm 20mA leds. They fit inside a channel on the back that I will fill with epoxy.
     
  24. Jan 22, 2020 at 12:43 PM
    #24
    BlueRibbon4x4

    BlueRibbon4x4 Let’s color match it

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    Ah gotcha. I guess I coulda figured that out if I paid attention to your original photo. Haha!
     
  25. Jan 22, 2020 at 12:59 PM
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    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    What about brighter better quality LEDs? When completed, going to make and sell?
     
  26. Jan 22, 2020 at 1:06 PM
    #26
    vegas4x4

    vegas4x4 Blaaack

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    This is sweet. Im in to see the how this progresses
     
  27. Jan 23, 2020 at 6:54 AM
    #27
    Headlight Revolution

    Headlight Revolution New Member Vendor

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    Love seeing the Creativity on this Page, Nice Work! :)
     
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  28. Jan 23, 2020 at 7:42 AM
    #28
    prerunnerseth

    prerunnerseth [OP] New Member

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    So i printed once upside down and it came out like crap. Then I learned about the issues with my model that were causing it to not put support under the channels in the bottom for the wires/LEDs and got it going again right side up, but this time too much support and it basically filled the channels. ill have to adjust the supports and reprint today. Other than the support underneath the rest of the third attemps came out reallly good.

    20200123_104534.jpg 20200123_104529.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2020
  29. Jan 23, 2020 at 11:53 AM
    #29
    prerunnerseth

    prerunnerseth [OP] New Member

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    Managed to dig out the features enough to put the white LEDs in for another test. These look even more awesome!

    20200123_143720.jpg
     
  30. Jan 23, 2020 at 12:25 PM
    #30
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    Some stuff
    this. there are smart peeps running around this board.
     

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