Giant Light Brite Project

Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center

With

ITT Technical Institute

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

• Based on the popular children’s game Lite-Brite, created by Hasbro in 1967.

• Two ITT Tech Capstone classes worked as a team with the Exploreum to design and build this interactive exhibit in just 11 weeks.

• Design and Drafting and Electronics Technology Capstone students worked together to create this display.

Conceptual Design DevelopmentOther Giant Lite Brites

• Most built as a simple light box, where holes without pegs installed are always lit with white light.

• Although easier to build, that approach does not allow for the creation of interesting artwork with the colored pegs.

• Most use smaller diameter acrylic rods.

Goals for our version

• Make a more high-tech version of the Giant Light Brite fit for a 21st century Science Center.

• Have lights turn on automatically when the acrylic rods are inserted into the holes.

• Use 1.5” diameter colored acrylic rods lit from behind by LEDs for a dramatic effect.

• Construct the full size exhibit before the end of this quarter.

Initial Design Exploration

Various diameter rods were explored in a grid pattern to determine the number of rods needed in the final

design. The spacing patterns were created by Drafting and Design Capstone Students using CAD software.

Final Design for Lite Bright Playfield

Project Renderings

Prototypes

Testing the concept.

1ST GENERATION PROTOTYPE

• Built by electronic students to test their circuitry design.

• This first prototype was built oversized.

• However, It proved the electronic design concept.

2ND GENERATION PROTOTYPE

• Final diameter of acrylic rods was chosen by week 2.

• Prototype built with actual size materials at accurate spacing.

• Proved that the electronics would fit within the space as designed.

The construction of the final exhibit

It was a LOT of work!!

All holes for the plywood panel and acrylic cover were cut using a CNC Router for, these pieces were manufactured directly from

CAD drawings produced by ITT Tech students

Fabrication Process

FABRICATION PROCESSCUTTING PVC PIPE INTO 3-13/16” LENGTHS (320 PIECES)

FABRICATION PROCESS CUTTING THE SLOTS INTO PVC PIPES AND CONNECTORS (640 PIECES)

Constructing PVC assemblies and installing micro switches (x320)

Carrying in the plywood panel to the ITT Tech campus for wiring

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Green micro switches are visible in the PVC assemblies.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Front view of the CNC-cut plywood panel with the PVC tubing glued in place.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Masking off the switches in preparation for sanding the front of the piece. All ends of the PVC pipes needed to be flush with the plywood surface so that the Black acrylic cover plate lays flat when glued in place.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Installing LED units

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Electronics Students beginning the lengthy process of wiring all of the LED lights and switches.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION More wiring!

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Testing the LED lights in the first row

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION And more wiring!

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Fully wired panel being brought back to the Exploreum for integration into the cabinet.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Exploreum staff just had to play with the wired panel when it arrived.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Design Drawings for the Light Brite cabinet.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Design Drawings for the Light Brite cabinet.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Design Drawings for the Light Brite cabinet.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Construction of the custom cabinet, built in the Exploreum’s loading dock.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Installing acrylic cover plate and frame.

FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Masking and painting the finished cabinet (this was at about 3:00AM!).

There is still a bit more work to do on this piece, but will be on permanent display for the general public soon!

Scratch Factory Phase TwoThe Giant light bright will be integrated into the new “ArtWorks” section of the gallery. The walls of the new space is inspired by the art of Piet Mondrian.

Scratch Factory Phase TwoExample of new “ArtWorks” gallery environment.

The Exploreum would like to extend a special

THANK YOU!!

To the students and faculty from ITT Technical Institute for all of your hard work to make

this new exhibit possible!