DIY Artificial Sunlight: A Software Engineer's Hardware Adventure
2025-03-27
Inspired by a YouTube video, a software engineer embarked on a project to create artificial sunlight at home. Rejecting the bulky parabolic reflector design, he cleverly employed a grid array of multiple lenses and LEDs. The article details the entire process, from 3D modeling and PCB design to CNC machining and final assembly, including challenges faced and solutions implemented. While the final product's brightness fell slightly short of expectations, it achieved a satisfying geometric effect and provided the author with valuable hardware engineering experience.
Hardware
Optics