3D Illumination

Project Number: 17

Parts Needed: Regular Base Grid (Grid A), 2 Mini Base Grids (Grids B & C), 3 Base Grid Supports, 1 Stabilizer, Battery Holder (B3), 1 4-Snap Wire, 5 Vertical Snap Wires (V1), 6 2-Snap Wires, 3 3-Snap Wires, 3 1-Snap Wires, Light Tunnel (U30), Phototransistor (Q4), Q4 Attachment, 1 5-Snap Wire, White LED (D6), Color LED (D8), Black Jumper Wire, Horn (W1), NPN Transistor (Q2), 5.1K-Ohm Resistor (R3), Slide Switch (S1), 1 Mirror, 1 Mirror Mounting Base, and 1 Spring for the Mirror Mounting Base.

Assembly: Follow these assembly instructions in order:


 * 1) Place base grid supports on the base grid labeled A in the drawing.
 * 2) Place parts on grid B, and install into base grid support on grid A.
 * 3) Place parts on grid C (except the vertical snap wire (V1) that connects to grid B, and the 2-snap wire that attaches to it), and install into base grid supports on grid A. Finish connection of the V1 connecting between grids B-C, add the 2-snap wire that attaches to it, and add the stabilizer between grids B & C.
 * 4) Install remaining parts on grid A.
 * 5) Add the mirror and Q4 attachment.

Description: Turn on the slide switch (S1). The light tunnel (U30) and color LED (D8) put on a show. To trigger an alarm, align the mirror so light from the white LED (D6) reaches the phototransistor (Q4); remove and re-install it in the spring if needed. Try giving the mirror a push so it bounces back and forth on the spring. You can swap the locations of the white and color LEDs (D6 & D8), but in some cases the color LED may not activate the alarm. Go to www.snapcircuits.net/sc3di for an interactive 3D picture to help with constructing this circuit.

Mrs. Snappy: This drawing looks complex, because it shows assembly of a 3-dimensional structure.