The Danglepoise
a year ago
- #Electronics
- #DIY
- #Lighting
- The Danglepoise is a motorized rise-and-fall pendant lamp designed for flexible lighting.
- Motivation stemmed from the desire for a solid, reliable, and customizable lighting solution not found in modern or antique markets.
- Key challenges included finding a suitable slip ring for mains power, designing a compact and reliable winch mechanism, and selecting the right motor and control system.
- The project utilized a stepper motor with a solenoid brake for precise positioning and holding torque, controlled by a TinyPICO microcontroller.
- Mechanical design involved a complex 3D-printed chassis and casing to house the motor, PCBs, and cable management system.
- Firmware was developed in MicroPython, featuring PID motor control, odometric positioning, and MQTT integration for remote control.
- The final product allows for dynamic lighting adjustments, with lamps moving smoothly and responding to commands via a web interface or MQTT.
- Lessons learned include the importance of mechanical design for assembly and maintenance, and the limitations of the ESP32 platform for embedded development.