Minecraft Light Up Blocks
Kevin Doan and Liam Stearns
Goal:
Our project is to design 3D printed Minecraft blocks that light up when connected with each other. It will contain:
- A method to securely stack the blocks on top of each other.
- A method to allow a connection of subsequent blocks, causing them to light up as added.
Proposed Method:
The functionality of the light up blocks begins with a base which will be the foundation for the stackable blocks. These blocks can be stacked on top of one another, similarly to a totem pole. As each block is added to the stack they will light up. We expect to accomplish this by designing a modular cube which will be 3d printed in clear filament. These blocks will be hollow so that we may have LEDs and any necessary electrical connections housed inside. In order to connect these blocks together, we plan to use a 2.1mm barrel connector and an Arduino to power the LEDs and control any lighting effects. We will be using clear vinyl sheets to cover the blocks to resemble the textures in Minecraft.
Extended Ideas (If finished early):
- Add RGB lighting effects such as waves of color or flashing lights.
- Design a bigger base for multiple blocks.
Previous Brainstorming Ideas:
- Shield Cell (Apex Legends)
- MRVN Face lottery (Apex Legends)
- Anime glare glasses
- Minecraft lantern
Question:
What problems would you see arising from this concept?
Are there any other extensions of this project you could think of?
I think this is a really cool idea. I have heard about people using Arduino’s through smartphones through Bluetooth. This could be a really cool addition to the project to make it so you can control the lights through your phone and switch the settings to different colors, RGB wave, etc.
This idea sounds really cool to me. Hard to beat glowing Minecraft blocks. A few questions I do have though, is I assume the blocks will be stacked on top of each other with no exterior connections when eventually powered, like wireless (So I do wonder your game plan to connect and power the blocks). I do not know much of wiring and electricity, but the one concern I have in my mind about this idea is how many blocks you’d be able to stack before you notice a decrease in brightness, or a simple no longer functioning LED.
This idea is pretty sick. I think it would be really cool if you could add the effect that the Minecraft blocks have when you are digging them. Have you explored ideas on how the connection between the blocks would work? It’d be interesting to see if you could find a way for them to connect to each other magnetically or something.
This idea is awesome, I think it would be really cool if you used magnets and hall affect sensors to be able to connect the blocks as well as communicate between them.
This is a great idea that is absolutely doable. Perhaps the blocks have different effects depending on what they are attached to, similar to the note block from the actual game.
This is a compelling idea. You’ve received some great suggestions here as well.
Challenges I foresee: lots of batteries and charging components. Will you be able to see all that stuff inside the blocks?
LEDs are quite directional, so you’ll probably need an LED pointing towards each face.
Plenty of engineering challenges just in getting them to fit together and sense each other, and artistic challenges in getting it to look good. I’d be inclined to keep the electronics simple for the first version and save microcontrollers and wireless control for stretch goals.
I really like this idea. I am curious about what scale the blocks will be.
Sounds like you guys have a pretty good fleshed out idea combining your interests and skills. I look forward to seeing the building process and end result.