July 22, 2015 | By Simon
When it comes to the millions of possible things that one could make with their 3D printer, it’s oftentimes the objects that can enhance or personalize existing product experiences that are among the best.
Of course, when it comes to ‘modding’ something, bicycles have been ‘modded’ by users for years with everything from baseball cards in the wheels to produce a motor sound effect to even custom paint jobs. Unsurprisingly, the introduction of 3D printing into the mix has only helped cyclists get more creative with their personal designs.
More recently, Instructables user Tom4zs has uploaded a tutorial for creating a 3D Printed Bike Safety Light that is powered by the rider and never needs batteries - neat!
“It's a wheel spoke mountable safety light for your bike that doesn't need batteries. Ever,” explains Tom. “It also has smart on/off function; the light turns on when you start moving and turns off after about 5 seconds after you stop moving.”
While there are dozens (if not hundreds) of available lighting options for cyclists, it’s difficult to argue that having something that relies on batteries isn’t always convenient - especially if one finds themselves miles away from home or a store.
To build Tom’s induction-powered light, some basic electrical components are needed in addition to the 3D printed part files, which are generously supplied by Tom in the Instructable. Among others, the necessary parts needed include magnets, spoke mounts, an LED, diodes, resistors and fastening hardware. Thankfully, most of these parts can be sourced from an old light source and/or picked up for relatively cheap at a local hobby store or online.
Once the parts have been sourced and the 3D files printed, the assembly process - as expected - is relatively straight forward and involves some light soldering experience.
The finished light system, which again, uses no batteries, is able to be turned on simply by pedaling and using the energy from the pedals to power the LED directly. Of course, this also means that there will always be a light on while riding, but whoever said that would be a bad thing?!
To read the build instructions in-full, as well as located the 3D printable files and additional parts, be sure to head over to Tom’s Instructables page.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
Maybe you also like:
- Automata's low cost 3D printed Eva arm hopes to bring robotics to the masses
- Former IBM employee creates China's first 3D printed pancake robot
- Studio FATHOM unveils Project Pyra, first 3D printed smart oven
- World's largest shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy opens up 3D Printing Shipbuilding Innovatinon Center
- Create your own DIY 3D printed 7" portable HDMI monitor
- Create your own 3D printed Gyroman Walking Gyroscope
- The Warp/Weft filament colorizer adds custom color designs to 3d printed surfaces
- Create your own 3D printed lamp with the Self Made Furniture (SMF) 3D Printing Collection
- UK teenager to launch expandable NFire One modular 3D printer priced under $400
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
