Summary of 194 LED BALL IS FREE-FORM SOLDERING ON ANOTHER LEVEL
Jiří Praus created a stunning spherical sculpture using 194 bare surface-mount addressable LEDs, supported solely by soldered copper wire. He utilized a custom 3D-printed hemispherical jig to assemble two halves during an intensive soldering session. After resolving dry joint issues, he integrated an ESP32 board and Li-Po cell between the halves to power the device. The final result is a unique, functional Christmas bauble demonstrating advanced free-form soldering techniques.
Parts used in Jiří's LED Sphere:
- 194 bare surface-mount addressable LEDs
- Copper wire (for support structure)
- 3D printed hemispherical jig
- ESP32 board
- Li-Po cell
We’ve all seen plenty of impressive free-form soldering in these pages, maybe some of us have even had a go ourselves. Using nothing but bare conductors, electronic components, and solder, complex and beautiful electronic sculptures can be created. But the latest free-form project from [Jiří Praus] takes the medium to a new level, as he’s taken no less than 194 bare surface-mount addressable LEDs and formed them into a perfect sphere supported by nothing more than soldered copper wire.
This feat was achieved with the aid of a 3D printed hemispherical jig with spaces for each LED, and each half was assembled in a marathon soldering session. Some significant fault-finding was required due to a few dry joints, and an ESP32 board and Li-Po cell were fitted in between the two halves as they were joined. The result is a triumph, a Christmas bauble like no other, and one which we aren’t sure we could manage to solder so well even on a good day.
If you recognise [Jiří ]’s work, it’s probably because we’ve featured several of his creations previously. It’s always difficult to pick a favorite, but the one which caught our eye the most was his fully functional freeform Arduino Uno.
Source: 194 LED BALL IS FREE-FORM SOLDERING ON ANOTHER LEVEL
- What components form the sphere?
The sphere is formed from 194 bare surface-mount addressable LEDs. - How are the LEDs supported?
The LEDs are supported by nothing more than soldered copper wire. - What tool helped assemble the project?
A 3D printed hemispherical jig with spaces for each LED was used. - What issue required fault-finding?
Some dry joints were found that required significant fault-finding. - What powers the device?
An ESP32 board and Li-Po cell are fitted inside the sphere. - Where are the power components located?
The ESP32 board and Li-Po cell are placed between the two assembled halves. - How many LEDs were used in total?
No less than 194 LEDs were used to create the perfect sphere. - What type of soldering technique is demonstrated?
The project demonstrates complex free-form soldering using bare conductors.
