LED LEAF

pinshape

After witnessing an LED helicopter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEm2yhqjDGg), I decided to build my own. Instead of adopting their concept, I opted for a Maple seed design. The leaf should soar up to 30-40 feet high and spin back down to earth. This is my fourth revision, and it's supposed to work. Background information on the previous three designs: LED Leaf V1 - Smaller Area with a 5mm tall leading edge & .5mm Thick wing. It launched well but failed to spin due to weight distribution issues. LED Leaf V2 - Same size as V4. Wing thickness .5mm, leading edge 3.5mm tall. The same problems plagued this design; it launched well but didn't spin. LED Leaf V3 - Same size as V4. Wing thickness .25mm (1 layer), leading edge 3.5mm tall. It would spin, but the plastic on the wing couldn't hold together. LED Leaf V3.5 - I took LED Leaf V3 and traced its profile onto paper. I removed the .25mm wing, leaving just the leading edge, and superglued the paper to the plastic. LED LEAF V3.5 launched well and spun every time. However, 1/2 the time it would only launch 15 feet high. I believe this is due to the paper wing not being supported on the tail end. When launched, the tail end caused the LED leaf to become unstable in flight, resulting in turns and spins. LED LEAF V4 - Thinner Blades with a Glue on Wing Led Leaf V5 - Lightest Version yet. Best Model to print! Still can Use LED Leaf V4 PDF for the Wing. (Large print! Not designed for Makerbot's Yet, just Repraps) Instructions: Print: (@ 0.25mm or .125mm layer height) LED_Leaf_V4.STL LED_LEAF_Launch_Stick.STL LED_LEAF_PAPER_V4.PDF (Inkjet printer) Find: CR2303 Battery 5mm LED Small rubber band (For battery) Two large rubberbands (For launcher) 1) Apply glue to Plastic part 2) Center part on paper and apply 3) Let glue set 4) Cut Along Edges 5) Add Battery to Assembly 6) Connect LED to Battery 7) Wrap rubberband around Assembly. 8) Add Rubberbands to Launcher 9) Launch @ Night