The Origami Forum

Does anyone know where i canget the 'improved LED unit' (ie battery powered portable single wide-angled LED light), used by Miyuki Kawamura in her modular lanterns from?

I was at the 5omse but couldn't go to her class, and she sold out of the LED units after

I have looked around on the net but there is nothing like that

For those of us who know a little electronics (I know where the local Radio Shack is in the US), but didn't attend the conference, can you post a photo, or draw some type of picture ?

- Hank Simon

This may help?

http://www.origami-usa.org/files/5osme_041_kawamura.pdf
You might be able to write her and ask for a schematic. Sounds simple: a couple of newer white LEDs, a resistor or two, and a small battery holder.

I had a look at the unit, and you should be able to get the parts from your local electronics or hobbyist store. You'll need to hook them up yourself though.

Online, you can probably get them from RS Australia:
http://australia.rs-online.com/web/

The ones Kawamura used are 120 degree viewing angle LEDs mounted back to back, for example:

http://australia.rs-online.com/web/sear ... &R=4663706

The only tricky part is that the LEDs are surface mount components, so you will need very steady hands soldering them together!

The circuit itself is straightforward, here's a tutorial on how to put it together: http://unclean.org/howto/led_circuit.html

PS Nice to have met you at 5OSME!

thanks for your info hank and wolf

unfortunately electronics has never been part of my education

fortunately i have a friend who has had the education so i might have a chat with him

(but i will also consider contacting kawamura san - if i can find her email address - she doens't seem to have website)

i will post a photo up but i have yet to set up a flickr account (and i can't do that until a few days later because hubby used up the high speed internet allowance for the month so everything is at snail speed)
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ok i finally got around to it......found an electronic store and bought the bits.....now a friend will solder the bits for me together and hopefully next week.....lantern!

So did you get two sets of parts ? One for you ... and one for the lantern that you'll fold for your soldering friend

- Hank Simon

i think soldering friend will have to wait - I can't produce the modular origami models fast enough

Finally got around to taking the photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48991666@N06/4959800222

Beautifully done. Nice fold and photo. BTW, if your electronics friend has a little knowledge, it may be possible to find a multi-colored LED...

- Hank Simon

thanks hank. My friend and I are still experimenting. this one is actually with an incandescent light rather than and LED (to get better light diffusion). the second one (which was made for my friend) is with LED and the paper is a very stiff tracing type paper with patterns so a cool white LED was used to highlight the colours. (no pics though)

Alternative Lighting Brainstorm:
1. Glow in the dark, phosphorescent paint, inside the model.
2. Fluorescent paint, and a black light.
3. Luminol or the $1 light sticks...(temporary)
4. Flat cold, panelescent night lights - I think you can find small chips.
5. Cellophane with polarized lenses for polarizing color effects.
6. Glassine or parchment, illuminated externally (with a laser)

Feel free to ignore one or all....

- Hank Simon