Subject:
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Re: Using fiber optics to light a Lego town?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.build
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Date:
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Sun, 4 Mar 2001 05:42:00 GMT
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Viewed:
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754 times
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In lugnet.build, Brian Kendig writes:
> I'd like to light my Lego town. I think the most sensible way to do this is
> with small fiber optics, because that takes a lot less wiring and generates
> a lot less heat.
>
> I really have no idea what this involves, though. Has anyone lit Lego with
> fiber optics before? Where can one obtain the fibers, and how much do they
> typically cost? What are the hidden surprises in trying to use fiber
> optics with Lego?
>
> Thank you for any help!
I wish I could tell you more, but my experience has been pretty simple. I used
my father's professional grade (but old) stiff gooseneck type. They're about 1/2
to 3/4 inch thick. I think there were 4 leads (maybe 18 inches long) from one
rather serious source. I only needed them for a short time, in lighting the
inside of a LEGO building for photos. Very effective light-wise. bright.
difficult to position though. And care was needed when bending, to avoid damage.
But they were capable of image transfer (a minifig movie projector?).
You're probably looking for something more delicate and long-term though. I
haven't experience there. I've got a short sample of spaghetti-like plastic
coated stuff, but it's not useful for much.
LEGO's pseudo-optics (plastic with bubbles in it) is worthless for anything
other than very subtle effects, perhaps a blinking control panel. They seem most
bright when looking straight into the end, so putting them into accommodating
elements' holes is kinda fun.
I'd expect decent equipment to be pretty expensive. If so, try getting your
hands on some used stuff. The glass fibers inevitably break over time, making
them less desirable. someone's discard may be just what you need.
Actually, an educator materials catalog or science surplus catalog may sell
something to play with. Now I'm curious. Here, a FO FAQ:
http://www.edmundoptics.com/techsup/illumination/faq_illumination.cfm
Someone else here should be more helpful than I. good luck.
-Suz
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Using fiber optics to light a Lego town?
|
| I'd like to light my Lego town. I think the most sensible way to do this is with small fiber optics, because that takes a lot less wiring and generates a lot less heat. I really have no idea what this involves, though. Has anyone lit Lego with fiber (...) (24 years ago, 4-Mar-01, to lugnet.build)
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