How to Make a LED Light Box

In this instructable, we're going to go through the process and steps of building an LED lightbox. This instructable will show you how to design your acrylic design to engrave it, how to create your 3D box so you can print it out, how to do the electronics and wiring, and the assembly of the whole thing.

Step 1: Materials and Equipment

To be able to make this project you'll need a computer, a mouse, acrylic, wires to set up a circuit diagram, an on and off switch, a designing program, a 3D designing program, a laser engraver, a 3D printing machine. The pictures show the type of laser engraver and the 3D machine I used.

Step 2: Cutting and Engraving Acrylic

In this step, you will need to come up with your design so you can engrave it into your acrylic. You'll need to use a program to design it like Google drawing. You can choose a stencil from the internet and trace it in your design program. After you have your design you'll have to convert the file into an SVG file so the laser engraver can process it. Then you send your file to the laser engraver. You have to check the setting on the printer to make sure that it'll come out correctly. When everything is right you can start printing.

Step 3: Designing and Printing the Box

You'll have to use a 3D design program like Tinkercad to be able to design your box. The measurements of the box are 40mm by 120mm by 31.5mm. The width of the walls has to be 1.5 mm on all sides. The measurements for all the pieces are in the pictures.

Step 4: Electronics and Wiring

You're going to have to use a program to create and arrange the circuit diagram the way you want it. I used the Circuit Diagram Web Editor to make mine. You can use any program you feel is best for you. You'll need to include the basic components of a circuit. This type of circuit is a parallel circuit. To connect all the wiring for your box you will need to use a solder rework station. You'll solder all the wiring together. If you haven't soldered before you should inform yourself of the safety procedures and how to properly do it.

Step 5: Assembly

After you have printed your box and lid, laser engraved and cut your acrylic, wired together and soldered, you can finally assemble your lightbox. You'll want to superglue your LED lights on the sleeve that holds your acrylic that's inside your box so they don't move around. You'll also want to hot glue your acrylic in place so it doesn't fall out. After all of this, you have finished making your LED lightbox.