DIY Pi Lamp

I am a big lover of numbers, and I really needed a cool lamp for my room. My initial idea was a matrix of the number Pi to be projected on the walls. I found a neat way to make that possible in a lamp.I then went on to attach a motor so that it can rotate which makes it really cool and takes it to the next level.

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It's a normal lamp but what makes this project awesome is the lampshade. On the lampshade I have cut all Pi related stuff like numbers, symbol,etc. With a high intensity bulb and a dark room the light passes through the particular shapes and then projects to hit the wall in that shape. This with the added rotation to the lamp makes the numbers move, which really makes a cool effect and gives your room a mathematical touch!

HARDWARE :

• Black paper( 80×60 cm)
• Cardboard
• Parchment Paper
• Old box

TOOLS :

• Transparent tape
• X-acto knife
• Scissors
• Paint

ELECTRONICS :

• Bulb ( high intensity ) + Bulb holder
• Wire (about 30 cms)
• adapter for the plug point
• Switch
• Motor

Print out the templates (from the link below ) and cut out the patterns on the black paper as in the templates. When cutting the Pi symbols carefully cut it with the x-acto knife making sure to follow the curves, do the same while cutting the letters Pi . For the numbers I wanted to make it with dots so that it gives a dotted effect on the wall (you can do as you prefer). However if you choose to make it dotted keep in mind that it has to be laser cut.

Take an old cardboard box, make a hole for the motor shaft, slip the shaft through it then screw on the motor. Then make a slot for the switch and screw on the switch to the box. Add a 9 volt battery and wire it up.(as shown in the diagram).(You could also consider painting the box).

Once u have finished making the lampshade and motor base you will have to cut two cardboard discs (the same size as the top disc). On one of them cut out a small hole for the bulb holder and then fit it on. Cut a smaller hole on the second disc the size of the motor shaft and fix it to the shaft.

For this part i used transparent tape for attaching the various parts. Start by sticking parchment paper at the back of the symbols to dim the light. Then take the base and attach the motor's disc to the side section of the lampshade. Then attach the second disc, the bulb holder above the the 1st disc ( around where the symbols begin). Then fit in the bulb and put the top paper disc ( the one with the numbers) to seal it.

TIP:MAKE SURE TO OVERLAP THE EDGES A BIT TO MAKE SURE THAT LIGHT ESCAPES ONLY FROM THE CUT OUT AREAS

There you have it your very own pi lamp. All u have to do is plug it in and let the numbers enchant you!

Hope you enjoyed the making of this project. If you have any questions would be glad to answer them in the comments section.