Parametric LED Light Bar for Govee 8mm LED Strips (w/F3D)

thingiverse

Parametric 8mm LED RGB Strip CasingIncludes Fusion 360 Source FilesI decided to wire up my built-in bookshelves with RGB lighting and designed this simple casing with a snap-on/snap-off top. The casing is designed to match the profile of readily-made 8mm RGB-to-wire connectors (links to hardware I used below), so you can book-end it with the two connectors to create a finished looking light strip.Hardware for this setupNote: I am not an affiliate, just giving you a reference to what I built around:LED Strip: Govee h611032ft (2 x 5m) non-addressable4-pin 8mm LED strip (this is the important spec, but you won't find it in most RGB strip product descriptions)https://www.amazon.ca/Govee-Assistant-Wireless-Control-Kitchen/dp/B082DF4GGFConnectors: RGBZONE 8mm 4pin RGB Connection Kithttps://www.amazon.ca/RGBZONE-Connectors-Connection-Waterproof-Non-Waterproof/dp/B0CNNZL69S/Flush-cut pliersOptional: To cut the final sections to length, a good pair of flush-cut pliers / nippers / sprue cutters can be used. InstructionsPrint as many sections as you need to span your light strip.Print the files with the large flat side (the top or bottom) facing down.Print the top in a transparent/translucent materialPrint the bottom in whatever you wantFusion360 parametrized files provided if you need to customize the dimensions.Attach the 8mm connectors to the ends of your RGB strip.Glue the RGB strip to the light bar, carefully centering it in the channel as you go. Do this section by section, till you reach the end. Line up everything as squarely and tightly as you can, and the glue from the RGB strip will help hold it all together.Measure and cut the last section to fit the remaining space. I used a sharp pair of flush-cut pliers on my PETG prints and they cut cleanly and squarely without affecting the snapping mechanism.Stick the bar to your surface with your favorite method. I used 3M command poster strips. Placing a strip at every joint, you'll need ( Number of Sections + 1 ) strips to hang each finished light bar. Once you've installed the light bar into its final position, snap the covers on. It's easiest to do by seating in the opposite side, then pivoting on that to close it like a trunk. Editing the Original FileOpen the .f3d file in Fusion360Go to Modify > ParametersThe two favourited parameters control:The inner width (should match the width of your strip plus some tolerance)The overall length of a section (if your strip/printer requires something else.)Everything else is generated from these two numbers, but you can play with the other variables to adjust other elements or fit a different or custom end connector (etc.)When done, go to File > 3D Print, pick the top and bottom object and save them to STL or print from there.TipsYou can print the entire assembly from transparent PETG to simplify the print process (Not together, mind you - this is not print-in-place ready.) They look pretty good that way too, and when lit up, mostly look the same. You could also use a multi-color printer to speed up doing both sides (e.g. Bambu AMS).If you mangle the end of an RGB strip's copper connectors, you might be able to cut that section back and redo the connector further in. If you look closely at the strip, you'll see the tracks embossed beyond the RGB copper points. As long as the knives in the connectors line up reliably (without touching another connector/track), you can bite down in that spot. The knives in the connectors will cut through the laminated coating and should get contact with the copper underneath.