diff --git a/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/fusion_1.jpg b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/fusion_1.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..122b467 Binary files /dev/null and b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/fusion_1.jpg differ diff --git a/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/holding.jpg b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/holding.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..35706de Binary files /dev/null and b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/holding.jpg differ diff --git a/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/light_pack.jpg b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/light_pack.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ece39ae Binary files /dev/null and b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/light_pack.jpg differ diff --git a/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/on_stage.jpg b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/on_stage.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d41257 Binary files /dev/null and b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/on_stage.jpg differ diff --git a/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/test_fit.jpg b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/test_fit.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b6d5ed2 Binary files /dev/null and b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/images/test_fit.jpg differ diff --git a/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/index.md b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8624e07 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/2024/lottery-winner-daisies/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,76 @@ +--- +title: "Making Stage Props for the Lottery Winners" +subtitle: "" +date: 2024-06-23T07:40:38Z +tags: + - CNC + - Electronics + - Pi Pico +draft: false +author: Kian Ryan +author_email: kian@orangetentacle.co.uk +listing_image: images/on_stage.jpg +--- + +Before Christmas, a group of musicians walked in to the space to talk about designing stage props for their upcoming UK tour. + +Up front I'm going to be honest, I had briefly heard of the [Lottery Winners](https://www.thelotterywinners.co.uk/) but +had no sense of how big the band had become. [The Lottery Winners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lottery_Winners) are a local band made good, with a Number 1 album - + [Anxiety Replacement Therapy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety_Replacement_Therapy), and had performed last year at Glastonbury. They're kind of a big deal. They asked if we +could make some stage props for them, giant daisies to be lit with stage lights for their Manchester O2 Apollo gig. + +We had been doing work with the CNC recently and I've made a few pieces for stage previously so agreed to draft up some ideas. +While the band focused on their tour, we worked on designing the props, working with their lighting designer to come up +with a design compatible with the lights that would be used on stage. + +{{< image src="images/fusion_1.jpg" title="Model design in Fusion 360" width="400x" class="is-pulled-left" >}} + +{{< image src="images/test_fit.jpg" title="Test fit on head and lighting stand" width="400x" class="is-pulled-right" >}} + +Using Fusion 360, we designed a model to be cut on our Shapeoko XXL, and performed some test cuts on 5mm acrylic. +The outer shape was cut from 5mm opaque white +and the inner shape from 3mm opaque yellow. They were bonded using Tensol 70. Using some generic angle brackets, we +tested the fit on the sample spot head and adjusted the design a bit, the band were happy with the design. + +{{< clearfix >}} + +{{< youtube UqzpV7Pt8ho >}} + + +Then the band asked if we could design a portable lighting pack to use on their other tour dates. + +We needed a one-size fits all solution. The same daisies would need to be used for all tour dates, so we needed a system +that would allow for switching between the portable packs, and the standing lamps. We agreed to use the same mounting +hardware - a lighting stand and angle bracket, and switch out the lighting for a portable USB powered LED system. We also +needed a system that could be easily charged on tour - regular LiPo battery packs USB charging were ideal, and could be +replaced on tour if needed. + +{{< image src="images/light_pack.jpg" title="Lighting Pack Light Ring and Mount" width="400x" class="is-pulled-left" >}} + +We used a [Plasma 2040 board from Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/plasma-2040?variant=39410354847827) combined with [these WS2812B RGB rings from Cool Components](https://coolcomponents.co.uk/products/241-led-172mm-complete-ring-ws2812b-5050-rgb-led-with-integrated-drivers-adafruit-neopixel-compatible). We couldn't use all the rings, nor could we power all the LEDs at the same time, so with a bit of careful maths, we worked +out how many LEDs we could drive from the Plasma and the power supply. 3D printed housings in PETG were attached with magnets +to the back of a select number of the daisies, allowing the lighting packs to be attached and removed. + +Some simple Micropython allowed us to to design a few different lighting patterns controllable from the onboard buttons +of the Plasma 2040. I'm quite pleased with the results. + +{{< clearfix >}} + +{{< youtube EGnIsF4EzsA >}} + +For final stage dressing, and to hide cabling, we made green wrap sleeves sleeves for the lighting stands with hook and loop +closings and an over the top loop to hang from the top of the stand. + +These were shipped in two batches, first batch to the band on tour, and then a final delivery to the band at the +O2 Apollo Manchester. They very kindly offered us tickets to come and watch, and we made an evening to see the props and the band, +on stage. + +{{< clearfix >}} + +{{< image src="images/on_stage.jpg" title="Lottery Winners and Daisies on Stage in Manchester" class="middle" >}} + +Leigh Hackspace is open to commissions, and we're also keen on teaching people the skills to make for themselves. + +Our [Summer of Making](), has a range of skills that can help get you started, or if +you have a project in mind, please [come and talk to us](mailto:directors@leighhack.org). +