When needing a custom PCB, most of us will whip up design files and send them off to a board house. Prices are low and turnaround times are bearable, with quality that’s difficult to replicate at home. The old methods still have some value however, as [Bantam Tools] demonstrate with this attractive glowing hummingbird necklace.
The necklace is made of copper-clad board, the type typically used by those who would etch their own PCBs at home. In this case, the board is placed on a [Bantam Tools] mill, which removes copper strategically and cuts out the final shape. This creates a series of traces on the back for a battery, LEDs and a small swtich, while creating areas on the other side of the board for light to shine through.
With a battery installed, the LEDs on the back side of the necklace glow through the fiberglass for a beautiful effect. With a PCB mill and a reflow oven, it’s remarkably easy to make, too. Of course, if you like your parts density a little higher, these FPGA earrings might be more your speed!
Should the caption of the second photo read “back side” or “bat side”?
You might want to cover the exposed copper with nail polish once everything checks out to prevent corrosion.
And to prevent skin abrasion aswell.
Nice job, always liked the jewelry side of electronics…
I read [Batman Tools] first. Probably a tumor
I got a link to this post in my RSS reader, which doesn’t show the top image, but did show the bat picture. So I was momentarily confused by the part about “this glowing hummingbird necklace”.
“But that’s not a hummingbird…”
Had great fun at https://www.tindie.com/products/svdbor/art-palette-colored-led-earrings-pair/ – could not resist buying!