Seasonal Lantern with Interchangeable Panels

prusaprinters

<p>Introducing my Seasonal Lantern with Interchangeable Panels. I first started this project as a lantern for Halloween 2022, and quickly realized it could be so much more, I will be updating this model regularly with new features and additional panels for at least the next year.</p><p>The idea is that this can be used year round by changing out the panels. The light source can be virtually any small LED light, in the ones seen in the photos I am using the lights stripped out of a couple of those bases you place glass ornaments with etching in them on (info below); but you can use NeoPixel rings, strips, dots, generic LEDs, etc. The base has three 3mm mounting holes as well as a center post that can be used with double sided tape or some other adhesive if needed. I suggest limiting to only 2 tiers for now, as any light powerful enough to illuminate a 3rd or higher tier will washout the 1st tier, one of the items near the top of my to-do list for this project is a special top plate that will allow the use of a light source suspended from the underside of the top.</p><p>In addition to at least two colors of filament and the light source, you will need a little bit of hardware. The feet attach with 3mm by 8mm countersunk screws (4 needed), and the top attaches with 3mm by 12mm countersunk screws (4 needed). For the multi-tier version, the middle is attached to the lower part using 3mm by 18-22mm dowel pins (18 is min needed, but there is space to accommodate up to 22mm pins), the ones I used are below in the materials list. You can also print simple plastic cylinders to use as pins, I did not model any as the size needed would vary so much by individual printer/settings that users may as well print their own to size; however, note that I do not believe that plastic pins will hold up for frequent changes of the panels. Note that the pictures of the individual panels are screenshots of the model in 3ds Max, I used these because they are much easier to see details of the design on than actual photos.</p><p>To print the panels, you will want to add a filament change at layer 3, the first 2 layers should be white or translucent and the top 3 lays would be opaque. I also use the ironing feature on my panels, but it isn't really needed to be honest, when the lantern is on you can't really tell. No supports are needed for printing any part of this project.</p><p>To assemble, simply thread screws into feet, then attach to main body (or lower body if doing multi-tier). Secure the light source, run wire through the hole, which is large enough to pass the in-line switch on most of the sort of devices you can buy pre-made, then press fit the Wire Plug. Slide in panels and place middle body or top, then drop in top panel and press in the Frame Top Insert to hide the edges and prevent light edge bleed. If you don't plan to move the lantern around much, and don't have pets that get into shelves (like my cats), then the top doesn't even really need to be screwed down if your frame came out nice and smooth when printing.</p><p>For the time being, I will be keeping the license on this model set to “Creative Commons (4.0 International License) Attribution—Noncommercial—No Derivatives” as I have several more ideas for extensions and adaptors I want to create myself, before I start allowing remixes. However, I will post a blank panel base as a separate model that will have allowances for remixing that others can use to make and share panels that are compatible with this lantern. (Link to panel only model that allows for remixes of panels <a href="https://www.printables.com/model/305035-blank-panel-for-season-lantern-with-interchangeabl">here</a>.)</p><p>My next release of panels will be for the winter season since I am located in the northern hemisphere, and I expect to start adding them by the end of November if not sooner. Please feel free to comment with ideas for features you would like to see.</p><p>Additional Panel Sets: <a href="https://www.printables.com/model/314036-fallharvest-panel-set-for-seasonal-lantern-with-in">Fall/Harvest Season</a></p><p>________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</p><p>Materials other than plastic, you can copy/paste the ASINs below into the Amazon search bar to see the items…</p><p>Lights I used - Amazon ASINs “B092VQ1GL5” and/or “B09XQPJLD5”, but again, I stress that these are just examples, you can use just about any small light you can secure in place with a 3mm screw or some adhesive.</p><p>Screws - Amazon ASIN “B06Y3JDM4R”, I like this particular brand because they come in amazingly good containers and are very consistent in quality.</p><p>Dowel Pins - Amazon ASIN “B07MDFRS13”, again, this is a brand I prefer due to consistent good quality when it comes to fasteners and other odd bits of hardware.</p><p>________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</p><p>Update 11/9/2022 - Added link to Fall/Harvest Season panel set. Added photos of lanterns with Fall/Harvest panels installed.</p>