EPCOT Spaceship Earth with Center Pillar Removed

prusaprinters

Modified the base half of the original model to remove the center pillar. It wasn't structurally needed and created more points to mount LEDs to, because of that this project uses 162 NeoPixel LED instead of the original 156. The first one starts at the center of the bottom and then spirals out following the pattern in the original project. Created a hole to run the USB cable down the back leg and out the back of the model. Added faceted beads to the outside of the holes to refract the light out and simulate the “Points Of Light” effect that Spaceship Earth now features. The beads are taped in place with the hole of the bead perpendicular to the hole on the model. The NeoPixels are then hot glued in place from the inside of the model. The glue that is pushed through the hole holds the bead in place. Used WLEDs 2D mapping to make the sphere appear as one big canvas. This allows you to display text and images on the surface of the sphere.See included PDF for how to map the LEDsUsed modeling clay to close up the gap between the top and bottom halves and block the light from leaking out. Parts I Used:Controller Boardhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B08246MCL5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1Thank you to @brianau3048_605333 for the idea.LEDshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVZLX3MD?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsThank you to @brianau3048_605333 for the idea.USB C Breakouthttps://www.adafruit.com/product/4090Faceted Beads (2mm size, “Clear” color)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B259NKSR?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1Model printed in a standard grey PLA Thank you so much to the Ruiz Brothers and @Adafruit for creating this amazing project. I had so much fun with it! I spent some time with the WLED software and re-created the EPCOT 40th Anniversary Points of Light show on the model.