ANTHONY NISTOR // LIGHT BAR

Stackr Light Bar

A top add-on for Stackr. Five addressable LEDs sit in a printed bar, and each one can be set to its own color.

WATCH THE LIGHTS VIEW THE PHOTOS
// SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

How the Bar Is Wired

Two black side plates bolt to Stackr and hold a printed bar across the top. Inside the bar, five addressable LEDs share one data line, so each lamp can show its own color. A three-wire cable carries power, ground, and data from the strip to the controller on the robot. A translucent cover spreads the light.

  • Five Addressable LEDs The LEDs are chained on one strip. Pads marked 5V, DIN, and GND pass power and data from one lamp to the next.
  • Printed Bar A black housing with five windows holds the strip. A white cover clips on and diffuses the light.
  • Side Plates Two printed plates bolt to the sides of Stackr and lift the bar above the body.
LIGHT_BAR.LOG ACTIVE
1. DATA

One data wire addresses the five LEDs in order

DIN
↓ Step along the strip
2. COLOR

Each LED is set to its own color

RGB
↓ Shine through the cover
3. GLOW

The cover spreads the light across the bar

BAR
// LIGHT RUN

The Bar Lit

Stackr with the light bar switched on, sitting beside the digger.

STACKR_LIGHTS.MP4 LIVE DEMO

Lights On

The five LEDs glow through the cover while the bar stays mounted across the top of Stackr.

// HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

System Component Breakdown

01

LED Strip

Five addressable LEDs on one strip, with 5V, data in, and ground at each lamp.

02

Light Bar

A printed black housing and a translucent white cover that spreads the light.

03

Side Plates

Two printed brackets that bolt to Stackr and hold the bar above the body.

04

Cable

Three wires from the strip to the controller: power, ground, and the data line.

// PROJECT MEDIA

Build Photos

The bar on Stackr, the LED strip, the printed parts, and the CAD model.

Lights On
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Lights On

The five LEDs glowing through the cover on top of Stackr.

On Stackr
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On Stackr

The bar mounted across the top, with the three-wire cable at the back.

LED Strip
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LED Strip

The five-LED strip next to the housing, with 5V, DIN, and GND pads.

Printed Parts
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Printed Parts

Two side plates, a spacer, and the bar with its white cover.

Assembled Bar
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Assembled Bar

The bar on its side plates before it is bolted to the robot.

CAD on Stackr
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CAD on Stackr

The FreeCAD model of the bar and side plates on Stackr.

// SLIDESHOW

All Project Pictures

14 photographs and drawings from this build.

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// TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

System Parameters & Metrics

PARAMETER SPECIFICATION / VALUE
Host Stackr
LEDs Five addressable LEDs
Wiring 5V, data, and ground on one strip
Cover Translucent white diffuser
Mount Two printed side plates
Cable Three wires to the controller
Design FreeCAD assembly