Warp 9… ENGAGE! This miniature version of a warp core (7"/178mm tall) from ‘the next generation’ Enterprise (made by me, so it’s probably not incredibly accurate if you’re a Star Trek nerd) has a low print time and looks absolutely awesome on your desk! The power conduit is extremely delicate so be careful during assembly. An ESP32 C3 and button mount is included in the base. Wiring diagram and parts list included.  A non-lit version is also included if you have neither the time nor inclination to mess with wiring. So, let's get started!

    Printing

    If you use the 3MF file provided there should be nothing to worry about. If not there are a few things I did special. Color wise choose what you want but I used clear for the diffuser for vibrant lighting effects and black silk or ‘gunmetal’ for the rest. Power conduit is extremely delicate and may fail. If this is the case slow down the print and level the bed. The central core has clear filament at the very middle of it to diffuse light and give it a more realistic look. Without an AMS this will require two filament changes . One to switch from base filament to transparent and then back again. This is optional. Top cap will require support. I did not use any brims as they are of pain to clean up so make sure your bed is very clean otherwise the tall prints may loosen and fall over.

WLED flashing

**Please note- ESP32 C3 controllers not from Tenstar Robot have major problems. Only Tenstar (in my personal experience) has the quality assurance that I can reliably say is good . Be careful using other manufacturers products. Cheaper is not better!

    ‘Flash’ the microcontroller with WLED firmware. Simply plug it into your computer and go to https://install.wled.me/ and click install and select the appropriate port that your microcontroller is plugged into. If you need help with this you can always go to the knowledge base on that website for further instructions and/or the WLED discord. Super helpful folks there. Enter in your Wi-Fi credentials after flashing the unit and now you will have access to the user interface. Click Config tab, then click LED Preferences. Change the ‘Length’ to 26 LEDs. Next, scroll down further and for 'Button 0 GPIO' click unused and disabled. For ‘Button 1 GPIO’ use 10 and ‘pushbutton.’ Click Save on top. Now head over to ‘time and macros’ tab and scroll down to button #1. For short on→off type in 21, long on→off 22, double N/A 23. Click Save. To make it a little bit easier I will upload some presets for the lighting effects. Download here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fxPebb6pMskOcTU286v8243Jg7XlJRCA/view?usp=sharing Next, go to ‘security and updates’ tab. Scroll down to ‘restore presets’ and choose the file you downloaded, click upload. Verify that it worked by going back to the main page. You should now see a bunch of presets on the right hand side. Screenshots included. Now it's time to assemble…

Assembly and Wiring

    I'm going to combine the assembly and wiring in the same section since they're intertwined. Start by cutting three strips of LEDs . One at 20 LEDs and two smaller ones at 6 LEDs then solder lengths of wire to the strips and in the proper direction following the arrows as indicated in the picture! Make sure the wires are long enough. Better to have it too long than too short. Use heat shrink tubing or electrical tape on all soldered ends except for the single data end on the longer strip. Mark the output end of the single data line coming from the long strip. This is critical as it will connect to the inputs of the two smaller LED strips later. These LED strips and subsequent solder pads are extremely delicate. The more you move them around the higher the chance that they will break off. Keep movement to a minimum! Slide LED strips through their corresponding to diffuser parts(pic). Install the two smaller LED strips and diffusers in the conduits. Be very gentle and careful as this part will break extremely easily if manhandled. Use a little glue for extra strength. Assemble the unit in two halves with super glue as indicated by the picture. The base/diffuser lens/small parts. The central core/diffuser lens/small parts. Pay special attention to orientation and centering. It will help greatly with the next step. Allow glue to dry. Install the 2 power conduits and fish the wires through the bottom. Glue in place. Now slide the central light core through, fishing the wires through the slot that I created. Try to keep all of the wires towards the rear of the unit to prevent shadowing. Now slide the central light core through the base, gently, keeping the wires from bending. Glue the two halves together and wait for it to dry. Now you can glue the top cap on. Allow everything to dry sufficiently and then you can start soldering the wires together. Glue the button into the base. Do not use too much glue or it will prevent the button from functioning. Follow the wiring diagram. There is a little bit of room in the base but not a lot so cut the wires sufficiently to be able to stuff them in the base. Protect all loose/bare solder joints with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to prevent shorting out anything. See picture. Wiring here can get a little bit messy so do your best. And again, minimize movement, as the connections will fatigue and break off if moved around too much. Slide the microcontroller into its respective slot in the bottom mounting plate.  Here is where you will want to give it a quick test to make sure the lights are functioning properly. After confirming, gently tuck all the wires in and glue to the base. Good luck and may the Schwartz be with you!

    If you have any questions feel free to comment and I'll try to help out as best I can. 

Parts List

( some links may be invalid due to stores opening and closing all the time or products no longer available)

ESP32 C3 controller(Tenstar Robot)- https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805781327184.html

WS2812B 2.7 mm 5V LED strip (160leds/M)- https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806510961905.html

24 AWG LED 3 wire- https://a.co/d/esLs8AC

Momentary button (4.5x4.5x7) https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805639981565.html