Summary of CRAFTALIGHT – BRIGHTEN UP YOUR (HAND)BAGS
Katharina and Yannic of Staudt Technologies developed the Craftalight at MAKE 100 to solve the difficulty of finding items in bags. This USB-powered device uses a magnetic sensor to automatically turn on white LEDs when a bag is opened. It features an STM8 microcontroller, sewable electronics, and adjustable brightness. The open-source hardware can also function as a breakout board for drawers or cabinets, offering a lightweight, low-stress solution for personal lighting needs.
Parts used in the Craftalight:
- STM-8 microcontroller
- Hall-effect magnetic sensor
- White LEDs
- Low power LDO
- Frosted acrylic diffuser window
- EPDM rubber seal
- Sewable magnet
- USB power bank (external requirement)
Interesting how what started as a little discussion turned out to be one great solution at MAKE 100 as founders and owners of Staudt Technologies, Katharina and Yannic share their newly discovered solution with the world.
Having realized how really difficult it is to quickly find stuff in equipped handbags, backpacks, purses, etc., the couple decided to hack a solution to test with a small and light USB powered LED light that uses a magnetic sensor to hack and locate things easily in no time. All you need do to start enjoying brightened up accessories is just to sew the Craftalight and a magnet in your handbag and hook it to a power bank.
The Craftalight can also be used as a lightener for drawers, cabinets, glove-boxes, and suitcases or as an STM-8 microcontroller breakout board with low power LDO, white LEDs, and hall-effect sensors. It has high quality and low-stress design components; an STM8 value-line microcontroller and a hall-effect magnetic sensor, that detects the presence of a magnetic field, so the magnet on the lid of your bag switches the Craftalight on when the bag is open and off when the bag is closed.
Other features and specifications include:
- Open-source hardware and firmware.
- EPDM rubber seal that helps to prevent dust from gathering between the PCB and the acrylic diffuser
- 3200K warm white LEDs under the frosted acrylic diffuser window.
- Hall-Effect switches to help detect whenever the purse is open.
- Strong sew-able magnet
- Sewable Electronics using the holes in the PCB
- Adjustable brightness
- 10g Weight
- 70 x 20 x 6.5mm Dimensions
- Current consumption: 230mA while fully on but about 60uA in the off state
- LED rating: 150mA at 3V (but driven with 110mA max on the Craftalight)
The Craftalight can be powered via the 3.3v or 5V pads on the PCB or with a USB power bank, unfortunately, the kit does not come with a USB power bank so you’d have to get one for yourself.
Read more: CRAFTALIGHT – BRIGHTEN UP YOUR (HAND)BAGS
- How does the Craftalight turn on automatically?
A hall-effect magnetic sensor detects the presence of a magnetic field from a magnet on the bag lid to switch the light on when the bag opens. - Can the Craftalight be used for purposes other than handbags?
Yes, it can be used as a lightener for drawers, cabinets, glove-boxes, and suitcases. - What type of microcontroller powers the device?
The device utilizes an STM8 value-line microcontroller with low power LDO capabilities. - Is the hardware and firmware for the project open source?
Yes, both the hardware and firmware are open source. - Does the kit include a USB power bank?
No, the kit does not come with a USB power bank; you must provide one yourself. - How heavy is the Craftalight unit?
The device has a weight of 10g. - What is the current consumption when the light is fully on?
The current consumption is 230mA while fully on. - How is dust prevented from gathering between components?
An EPDM rubber seal helps prevent dust from gathering between the PCB and the acrylic diffuser.
