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I am really surprised that it's happening so quickly with yours though, especially with a light on each end. For my Fiber Optic Fairy Wings, I used a much simpler, and slightly jankier, method. Once satisfied with the layout, I would then pour the second layer of resin covering all of the light strands. The fibers are usually woven in one direction (warp or weft only) and they need to be bundled and connected to a light source at one end. If you're looking to install fibre optic lights on your ceiling, youll be able to choose from several options, depending on your ceiling size and the star density you need. We offer great quality for affordable prices and free delivery in the UK. These hats are available online. It also means that the diameter quoted in the product listing is often the internal diameter, not the diameter with the casing.

You will either need to have access to space above the ceiling or create a structure that conceals your light engine and the optical fibres, as shown in our installation video. This Instructable also shows how to achieve a similar connection using Sugru instead of heat shrink. Allowing some of your end glow fibers to hang freely is also very visually pleasing and creates a mesmerizing light-painting effect when you move. I'm sorry you're having this issue, but I think it's pretty much par for the course for side emitting fiber optics. It appears logical based on my experience with the adhesive properties and multiple object types, but again, I'm a newbie to fiber optics. I am working on a bedroom decoration using fiber cables for lighting - not a data application. Hello there Mikaela, thanks for taking the time to put this guide together. The fibers will be about 4 feet long and I will need to use about 20 separated fibers. Projects like the Star Map in the second photo above make use of the ends of the fibers to spread the light from just a few points of illumination into a myriad of tiny stars. Sparkle Cable: groups of end glow fibers intentionally nicked along the strands and bundled in a clear casing to create a sparkle effect. I bundled my end glow fibers into groups of about 30, then heat shrunk the ends together and cut them with an exacto knife to create a smooth edge. Depending on a bunch of factors, a little of the laser should be visible at the ends though. I usually use a thin fishing line or clear thread to sew down the fibers, which ends up being almost invisible against the fibers. Thank you I appreciate any kind of help or knowledge i can do or learn. Corning powers their fibers with lasers instead of LEDs which makes them significantly brighter with a look very similar to el wire as you can see in the last photo. i will document the whole project and will upload the results once done.Thank you for any help.

Star ceiling kit can be installed in ceilings made of gypsum plasterboard, perspex, wood, PVC and Dibond as well as in stretch ceilings where there is access above the ceiling area. Jenn Mann who also makes amazing fiber optic wearables, has found a way to use layers of laser cut acrylic to create a similarly shaped connecting strip between LEDs and fibers. Participated in the Make It Glow! The car kit is ideal for installing fibre optic star ceiling (headliner) in your car. Some fiber optics make use of this light degradation, allowing a little light to escape through the cladding along the length of the fibers, thus creating an even glow that looks a bit like a neon tube. Star ceiling kit is popular for home projects (bedroom, living room, children's room), and also for restaurants, clubs and hotels. Everyone I know who works with fiber optics seems to have come up with their own solution to this problem. 2 years ago. Since I was going to be sewing all my fibers down very securely anyway, this didn't really matter, but I would like to find even better ways make sure all the fibers are secure. Don't have easy access to the ceiling? In fact, the options seem to be growing every time I look online. Our fibre optics are perfect if you wish to create your own starlight ceiling project indoors or floor project outdoors. Do any of you know how on would go about fixing it? We can supply systems with a variety of fibre optic cable, PMMA & polymer cables or high quality glass harnesses, the choice is yours. However, as you can see in the second photo above, some light also escapes from the end of the fiber creating a bright point of light where the fiber is cut. I recommend looking at GloTrim.com for the best flexible glass fiber optic light guides available now to the public and not just major OEM's. Another option to light your fiber optics is to use small laser modules. The intensity of the fiber's glow depends on the intensity of the light source. Our sensory lights and fibre optics are suitable for star ceilings, patios and cars. *Be aware that hot glue loses effectiveness in extreme or extended cold or hot temperatures.Please let me know if this method doesn't work! If you need smaller quantities, or faster delivery, One thing to be aware of when ordering side glow fibers is that they often come with a thin clear PVC casing to protect them from UV light damage. Use the form below, or alternatively email [emailprotected], or WhatsApp message us on +44 (0) 7572 555 956. Whilst the light engines look great I can't afford one so need to find a cheaper option. 7) An additional shrink-wrap or bundling technique directly over the dried/cooled glue should make it permanent. This can be done with sandpaper for a more diffused look, or with an xacto knife or other sharp object to create individual points of light. I am trying to create a hat that is not dealing with a major league team logo.

Taking the fibers out of the casing can be a little tricky however, and often results in nicking the fibers in places. Fibre optic star kits are sets containing fibre optic bundles and a light generator. Question on Step 9, Hello, I am adding a picture of what I am making with fiber optics, but the problem I am having is I'm not getting enough light through my fiber strands, i made the mistake of buying end light strands and tweaked the lines so they light up but still need more light, IS IT POSSIBLE to get more light maybe by a higher watt emitter box?. Choose your application area first (ceilings, floors, cars, sensory), then select the right option based on the size of your area. I haven't played with this material much myself, but it is definitely an interesting possibility for wearable projects, and I'm sure it will continue to be developed in new and exciting ways. This is a great site with a ton of well presented info. White Core Side Glow Fiber, or Light Pipe: These are similarly flexible to the clear "solid core" side glow fibers, but have a white core embedded in the center of a clear strand. Does anyone know how these can be fixed. However I have one query: I have built a Christmas Village layout with printed backscenes and would like to add tiny stars to the sky in the backscenes - I attach a photo, The sky/backscenes are just visible at the back of the layout. There was a time when I mostly used el wire in my illuminated designs, but ever since the amazing Natalina and Technorainbows introduced me to the wonders of fiber optics in their various forms, I've been on a bit of a fiber optic bender. The fibres are protected with a PVC coating to withstand the force and pressure of various covering materials. One relatively simple way to do this is to use individually addressable RGB LEDs with a microcontroller. Corning Fibrance: A new product from the Corning glass company that is a very thin and flexible fiber with a structure similar to a white core light pipe. Solid Fiber Optic Ribbon: I first saw these as the light in the inside of illuminated ankle bracelets for biking, and later in a pair of costume suspenders I found a Michael's crafts. Question OR with side emitting fibers, possibly more! However I will have edge emitting fibers in a flowing water stream. No problem! Another, even easier way to access some great lighting programs, is to buy a pre-programmed chip like the Cool Neon Driver I used in my LED skirt project and wire that to addressable LEDs. I personally think they look a bit cheesy, but I'm sure they would be great for some projects. on Step 13. The fibers being used in these textiles are end glow fibers that have been strategically abraded to release light along the length of the strands, and the resulting fabric is fairly stiff and coarse. To take full advantage of the dynamic lighting possibilities of fiber optics, however, you really need programable lighting, or at least a light source that has been pre-programmed. When you are choosing lighting, keep in mind that the brighter your light is, the more visible your fiber optic illumination will be. I have seen it illuminated with moving lasers, or programmable lights in ways that give it a more dynamic, subtle look. I am using 5mm solid core side glow cable that is about 70 cm in length. Optical fibres can be installed on ceilings made of gypsum plasterboard, wood, perspex and stretch ceilings. Natalina made her dress and coat using a fiber optic whip that comes pre-assembled with a large bundle of fibers attached to a bright RGB LED with many pre-loaded programs. I am just barely beginning to learn Arduino programming, but even with a minimum of knowledge, it is fairly easy to find interesting lighting programs online and load them into your microcontroller. End emitting fibers do leak a little light along the strands however, and when gathered into bunches, this light becomes visible in the dark, as you can see in projects like Natalina's Fiber Optic Dress and Coat and my Fiber Optic Fairy Wings above. If you are planning a project that uses fiber optics, I recommend starting to gather your materials a few weeks ahead of time because the best sources are often overseas. Thanks for any advice. I need to cleanly cut through all of them at once. Once this has set, I would carefully sand back any exposed strands, (hopefully none). the strands would flair out from this point into swirls of light strands that will run throughout the floor. We have a range of fibre optics star kits in stock depending on the area of application and the size of your project. They seem to be available anywhere from 2mm to 12mm in diameter. Give your home the star treatment with our fibre optic lighting kit. You can also buy pre-made products that are designed to light fiber optics. The glow of the fiber is also brightest close to the source of illumination, and fades gradually, or sometimes discolors, as more light escapes along the length of the fiber. The light engines have twinkling and colour changing features and can be operated with a remote controller. I've just ordered up all the goodies and am looking forward to sharing my own version of your fairy wings with you soon. If this might be a viable alternative how would I attach the strands to the torch?Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.Thank you in advance. 7 months ago, I have a couple of 3D Christmas scenes with fiber optics inside that light up the scene. Make sure you read the rest of this Instructable before you dive into ordering so you understand exactly which fiber optic product you are looking for. As you can see in the second photo, these fibers are basically just like other large end glow fibers in a slightly different shape. I talk more about this method in my Fiber Optic Sea Warrior Instructable. All prices include VAT. on Introduction, Hi,Thanks so much - this was an amazing intro guide!I have a question about using side emitting fibers for sensing light (so basically the opposite of most of what's discussed here).Im hoping to shine a laser on the side emitting fiber fromthe side (not the end as in lighting, and also from distances of up to 50 ft)and wondering if I use a modulated pulse from the laser, and put a photodiodeat the end of the fiber do you think Ill be able to receive the signal? I have a bundle of about 100 x .75 mm fiber optic cables. I haven't personally experimented with this, but I have seen it done, and it definitely makes the fibers much brighter and more daylight visible. Our starlight floor kits can be placed under floors (for example in bathrooms, childrens rooms), decking areas, garden pathways.

I haven't actually used these, but they seem to be more like a side glow fiber that is encased so that light will only emerge from the end.

Solid Core End Glow (not pictured): These are single strands up to 14mm in diameter encased in black PVC casing.

If you are using them outside, this is great, but for wearables it can make the fibers a lot less flexible. So come fall down this rabbit hole with me, and turn yourself into a mesmerizing bioluminescent sea creature you know you want to. This is in theory an awesome idea, but so far I haven't been that excited by the results. I am lighting it from both ends with super bright 5mm white leds. Kim, Question Regardless, it'll give me the effect I'm after at least for the initial unveiling of my project. End emitting fibers (also called end glow, or end light) are the classic fiber optics, with bright points of light at the ends and very little light escaping along the strands themselves. A big challenge in this is the fact that the fiber optics themselves are quite slippery and don't adhere to most glues very effectively. They don't need to change colour or flicker, just bright points of light would be great. Comprising of: demonstration, design, supply and fibre optic system refurbishment. This is how I attached the fibers to my fairy wings in the first photo. This can also create amazing blended color effects by having different colored LEDs at each end of the fiber. Share it with us! An elecrician? For a recent project I also created a double sided version of these LED nodes that holds a folded LED strip allowing fiber optics to emerge and be illuminated from both sides (photo 4). When I remove one led and shine the end down, the light is yellow. My project will be using exposed end glow fibers and is an outdoor installation with pretty much full exposure all year long (dappled shade of a tree). -Frank, 2 years ago They are definitely the lowest common denominator of fiber optics, but with a little creativity, they can still be a good addition to your costume. on Introduction. I have a 16 watt now. Fiber optics themselves are clear and colorless, so a fiber optic lighting system installed in a project will take on whatever color light you shine through it, or undulate with color patterns if your light source is programmable or dynamic. 2 months ago Different variations are better for different applications, so I'll talk here about all the different types I've encountered and the best uses I've found for them. The entry point of the Fibre optics from the light box, into the floor would then be framed and protected.Any information or experiences with this would be greatly appreciated. So far I haven't found anyone who has posted info on creating a Fibre Optic Dance Floor. End emitting fibers are great for directing individual points of light far from a single light source. Am I going to experience degradation over time? My question is could I attach my bunch of strands to the end of an LED torch as my light source? (I'll talk more about this later). Strategically abrading the fibers to add patterns of light to the fabric can also create beautiful results. For more inspiration, please check out our articles about customer projects. Like a lot of fiber optics, they seem to be designed for interior decor lighting, but after ordering and testing a sample of these, I really don't see that they have any advantage over large solid core side glow fibers, and they don't seem to work very well. I'll get in touch with Wiedamark as well with the same question. The clear inner core allows light to travel unimpeded down the length of the fiber while the cladding acts like a one-way mirror, containing any light that tries to escape the fiber by bouncing it back into the core in a process called total internal reflection. You can also strategically nick or abrade the fibers to create points of light along their lengths. I have never used these, but they look like they might definitely be great for wearables. The most popular application is for ceilings. In addition to the basic distinction of side glow and end glow, you will likely encounter some of the following variations in your search for fiber optics: Multi Strand End Glow Cable: this is a collection of end glow fibers bundled inside a plastic casing. Maker of clothing and accessories for time traveling cyborg superheroes, and lucid dreamers. Smaller, cheaper products like glowbys and fiber optic center pieces can also easily be incorporated into wearables, but they don't give you any ability to change the color of your lights, and they are often cheap and poorly made. One constraint is the available laser colors which are relatively limited. For installation in cars and floors, you will find further information on the individual product pages. Fibre optic star kit optimised for car roof installation and for small-scale indoor projects. A single light source provides enough light for hundreds of star points. Have a look at our New College Chapel project in Oxford if you would like to see an example of a recently completed lighting project using our latest fibre optic LED projector. The fiber optics I'm dealing with in this Instructable are the plastic fibers designed for lighting, not the slightly more sophisticated glass fiber bundles that transmit data rapidly over long distances, but they function on the same basic principle: Light shining in one end from a source of illumination, like an LED or a laser, travels down the fiber optic strand and emerges at the other end. Simple battery powered on/of lights like these floralights which come in variety of colors are a good option for very basic fiber optic illumination. The size of the floor would be 3m x 4m. Just a single light source can provide enough light for the perfect sparkle star effect. Fiber optics! In another piece of the same project I used 3D modeling to create a module that held a 12 a neopixel LED ring with holes above each pixel for a bundle of fiber optics (photo 5). I am not even sure if these ribbons are technically fiber optics or just another plastic material that transmits light fairly well, but I think they have a lot of potential for interesting uses. It also made the fibers glow brighter. The sky's the limit! I am not getting nearly the full length of white light I expected. Ashley Newton, who first introduced me to side emitting fiber optics, and worked with me to create my Sea Warrior outfit, has a very effective method that involves 3D printing a piece that holds the LED strip and has nodes with holes that the fiber optics plug into above each pixel (see photos 2 and 3 above). This will give you many different lighting patterns to choose from and can be controlled by a remote. I've already talked about a lot of my favorite fiber optic projects, but here's a longer list of great inspiration that will show you some of the beautiful things you can create with fiber optic lighting. As I mentioned in the previous step, standard 5mm diffused LEDs are fairly easy to attach to fiber optics because you can slip a heat shrink tube over both the LED and the fiber optic bundle, shrink it down, add a little glue and you have a fairly strong connection between the two (see first photo).