Flower Lamp

In this project I will be making a lamp in the shape of a flower. Because I really like flowers I went for this design.

For this project you need:

• 3D printer
• Lasercutter
• Soldering materials
• Light with cord

Step 1: 3D Printing

I got the files needed to print this flower from the website Thingiverse. It is a really usefull site where you can find all sort of files to 3D print and lasercut.

The link down here will bring you to the flower light.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:875590

You have to download the files and open them in the 3D printing software you use. I recommend using the finest settings as possible, because it is a pretty complicated design with small and thin parts in it. It also gives the best result.

I also added the files down below.

Step 2: Removing the Supports

Depending on the 3D printer you are using, your flower has supports. Most 3D printers have to build supports to make the print more stable during the printing. If your printer has made some supports you have to carefuly remove them. This can be a tricky job because the flower is so delicate.

Step 3: The Lamp

To make this lamp you need to have a light with cord first.

I have bought a lamp in a store for just a few euro.You only need the cord with socket, so you have to remove all the other parts. Because the foot is made of some sort of stone, I used a hammer to get the cord out.

Step 4: Soldering

You need:

• Solder
• Soldering iron
• Shrink sleeve
• Wire stripper

• Solder holder

Because the lamp is not small enough you have you cut the cord in 2 and solder the 2 back together when you put the cord on the right place.
Doing this in the switch case will give the best result, because you won't be able to see it when you're done. First you need to open the switch case. You will see one part of the cord splits and connects to metal plates, and the other just continues. You have to disconnect the wire from the metal plates and cut the other part of the wire.

Now you can pull the cord through the stand of the flower where the little hole is. After doing this, you have to solder it all together again.

You want to make sure the cord connects with the metal plates again. For the other part of the wire you first have to put on a shrink sleeve and then solder the halves back together. When the wires are soldered pull the shrink sleeve over the exposed wire and warm it a bit with the soldering iron to make it shrink.

Now the soldering is done, and you can close the switch case again.

If it's your first time soldering it can be usefull to ask some who is more experienced for help. Even though it's not very hard to solder this, it's still good to have someone guide you through it.