Can EMP Build It? Electronics Designed Around the Prop

Sometimes the electronics have to fit the prop.

Not the other way around.

A prop company recently came to us with a circular prop that needed to illuminate in a number of very specific places — with points of light appearing on both the top and bottom faces.

They knew what they wanted the finished prop to look like.

What they needed was someone to work out how to make it happen.

Start With the Prop

Rather than asking the client to design spaces for standard circuit boards, controllers, batteries and wiring, they simply provided us with the 3D model of the prop.

From that, we could start designing the electronics around the available space.

We used the model to establish the profile of a custom PCB, determine the mounting locations and identify exactly where each illuminated aperture would sit.

That meant we could position the LEDs on the PCB so that they aligned directly with the windows in the finished prop — including illumination on both faces.

The PCB becomes part of the mechanical design rather than something that has to be squeezed into it afterwards.

Then Put the Control On the Same Board

Once we have created a custom PCB, we can do considerably more than simply mount LEDs to it.

For this project, we could incorporate the technology from our PX1 wireless pixel controller directly into the design.

That gives us wireless control of the LEDs without needing a separate controller and the associated wiring, connectors and mounting space.

But why stop there?

The client also wanted the battery mounted directly onto the PCB.

So the same board can incorporate:

• The LEDs in their precise required positions

• Wireless control

• Battery mounting

• Battery charging electronics

• Power management

• Remote control of the lighting

• Remote on/off functionality

Instead of building a prop containing lots of separate electronic components, we're effectively creating one piece of electronics specifically designed to become part of the prop.

From Prop to Product

There's another advantage to approaching the problem this way.

It makes the finished item much more self-contained.

With the battery, charging, control and lighting integrated into the design, there is less internal wiring and fewer separate components to mount or connect.

The prop can be much more enclosed and finished.

In fact, it starts to feel less like a prototype containing electronics and more like a finished product.

Charge it.

Switch it on.

Control it wirelessly.

Use it.

"Speak to EMP – They Do This Sort of Thing"

This is exactly the kind of project where you don't need to come to us knowing which PCB, microcontroller or LED driver you need.

You can come to us with a 3D model and an idea of what you want to happen.

We'll work backwards from there.

Where does the light need to appear?

How much space have we got?

Where can the battery go?

How will it charge?

How will it be controlled?

And how can we package all of that into something that works reliably without compromising the design of the prop?

That's the bit we enjoy.

Can EMP build it?

Send us the model.

Let's find out.