Holiday Ornament with Displays

3D print your own ornaments with a display! Use the TFT Gizmo or E-ink Gizmo to display custom images with the Circuit Playground Bluefruit. The 3D printed ornament is designed to snap fit together for an easy assembly!

TFT Gizmo Ornament

The TFT Gizmo features an IPS 240x240 hi-res full color display that is perfect for displaying family photos, text and graphics. With the Circuit Playground Bluefruit, you can wirelessly send images from a mobile device using the Bluefruit LE Connect app for iOS and Android. 

E-Ink Gizmo Ornament

The E-ink Gizmo features a tri-color e-ink/e-paper display. This is great for displaying images and graphics without a battery! Perfect for adorning your festive decor without having to worry about the a dead battery. With CircuitPython, you can easily display bitmap images on the crisp tri-color e-ink/e-paper display.

Circuit Playground Ornaments

The Circuit Playground Express and Bluefruit feature 10 NeoPixel RGB LEDs for lighting up 3D printed ornaments. With interchangeable covers, you can easily swap out the top for a different graphic. You can even add a photo to create a lithophane images.

E-Ink Gizmo Ornament Parts

These parts are designed to house the E-ink Gizmo and Circuit Playground (Express or Bluefruit). The parts snap fit together and secure the PCBs in place without the need or glue or screws.

• gizor-eink-cover.stl
• gizor-eink-bottom.stl
• gizor-eink-top.stl

TFT Gizmo Ornament Parts

These parts are designed to house the TFT Gizmo and Circuit Playground Bluefruit. The parts snap fit together and secure the PCBs in place without the need of glue or screws.

• gizor-tft-cover.stl
• gizor-tft-bottom.stl
• gizor-tft-top.stl

Circuit Playground Ornament Parts

These ornaments are designed to house a single Circuit Playground, battery and slide switch. Covers are designed to screw in and easily swapped. These covers can achieve great illumination if printed in a translucent material.

• cp-orn-mount.stl
• cp-orn-bottom.stl
• cp-orn-cover-blank.stl
• cp-orn-cover-photos.stl

Ornament Covers for Circuit Playground

From simple to more extravagant, snow flakes could be made by hand drawing, vinyl cutting, or 3d printing. Super gluing these details over the ormanet covers create a masking effect that really brings out the patterns. Try printing them in a dark material to achieve a masking effect. 

Snap Fit Ornaments

These ornaments do not feature any electronics. These snap fit together and feature an insert that spins freely (a la fidget spinner). We've included a number of different inserts to choose from and it's easy to swap them out.

• orn-snap-top.stl
• orn-snap-bot.stl

Slice Parts

STL files for 3D printing are oriented to print "as-is" on FDM style machines. Original design source may be downloaded using the links below.

The parts were sliced using CURA using the slice settings below. The parts were 3D printed using PETG filament. 

• PETG filament 250c extruder
• 0.2 layer height
• 10% gyroid infill
• 60mm/s print speed
• 60c heated bed

Design Source Files

The project assembly was designed in Fusion 360. This can be downloaded in different formats like STEP, SAT and more. Electronic components like Adafruit's board, displays, connectors and more can be downloaded from our Adafruit CAD parts GitHub Repo.

eInk Gizmo Parts

The eInk Gizmo is designed to be bolted on top of the Circuit Playground (Express and Bluefruit versions). To make the ornaments portable, use a 350mah battery – It is small enough to fit in between the PCBs and should have enough power for several hours. 

Install Battery

Place the 350mAh battery in the center of the PCB with the battery cable pointing towards the audio connector (opposite side of the USB label). The battery is small enough to fit in between the standoffs.

Install Circuit Playground

Place the Circuit Playground Express over the standoffs with the USB port lined up with the USB label. The PCBs are secured with M3 x 6mm machine screws (included with the E-Ink Gizmo). In order for the Gizmo and CPX to fit the 3D printed ornament, use only 10 screws. Reference the photo for the correct placement of screws. 

Install Mount

Place the 3D printed mount over the PCBs. The edge of the CPX will snap fit into the sides of the mount. Press the mount into the CPX so it is flush with the PCB. Reference the photo for correct placement.

USB Port

The USB port on the CPX is accessible for programming. The 3D printed mount features a notch to accommodate USB cables.

Install Top

The top half of the 3D printed ornament is placed over the eInk Gizmo. Line up the hook loop with the USB port on the CPX. Fit the snaps of the top half with match one on the mount. Press the two halves together to snap them them. Start with one side first and work your way to all three.

Installed Top

The top half features open top and bottoms to allow for a modular design. The front cover can be easily swapped for a different color or updated design. 

Battery Connection

The JST connector from the battery can be directly plugged into the battery port on the CPX. The battery cable is just long enough (25mm / 1in) to reach. It can be pulled out to cut power from the eInk Gizmo and CPX. The cable can also be tucked under the notch on the edge of the mount.

Install Cover

Place the top cover over the display. Orient the cover so it's lined up correctly with the screen. Press the edges to snap fit them together. Start with one side and work your way through all four.

eInk Gizmo Ornament

With your ornament setup, it's now ready for a festive celebration! 

Parts

The TFT Gizmo can be attached to the Circuit Playground (either Express or Bluefruit versions). For this particular project, we're using the Bluefruit version. This allows for image transfer from a mobile device via Bluetooth. Use a 350mAh battery with short cable to make it portable.

Install Battery

Place the battery in between the standoffs with the battery cable facing the audio connector (opposite side of the 12 o'clock label).

Install Circuit Playground Bluefruit

Place the Circuit Playground Bluefruit over the standoffs with the USB port lined up with the 12 o'clock label. Install the included screws to the pads on the Circuit Playground Bluefruit. This particular project only needs 10 of the 12 screws installed. Reference the photo for correct placement. 

Install Mount

Fit the CPB and TFT Gizmo inside the 3D printed mount. Press the mounting tabs into the pads so the PCB sits flush.

Battery Connection

The battery can be plugged directly into the JST port on the CPB to make it portable. The battery cable is just long enough (25mm / 1in) to reach. It can be pulled out to cut power from the TFT Gizmo and CPB. The cable can also be tucked under the notch on the edge of the mount.

Install Top

The top half of the 3D printed ornament is placed over the TFT Gizmo. Line up the hook loop with the USB port on the CPB. Fit the snaps of the top half with match one on the mount. Press the two halves together to snap them them. Start with one side first and work your way to all three.

Installed Top

The top half features open top and bottoms to allow for a modular design. The front cover can be easily swapped for a different color or updated design. 

Install Cover

Place the top cover over the display. Orient the cover so it's lined up correctly with the screen. Press the edges to snap fit them together. Start with one side and work your way through all four.

USB Port

The USB port on the CPX is accessible for programming. The 3d printed mount features a notch to accommodate USB cables.

TFT Gizmo Ornament

With your ornament setup, it's now ready for a festive celebration! 

Slide Switch JST Adapter

A slide switch will allow the power to be turned on and off. The switch is wired in-line with a JST extension cable. For a detailed tutorial on wiring a slide switch JST adapter, check out our guide.

Connecting The CP Bluefruit to the Switch

Connect the female JST connector from the slide switch to the battery port on the CPB. Plug in the male JST connector from the switch to the battery cable. Use the slide switch to turn toggle the power from the battery on and off. Once tested, unplug the CPB and set it aside for now.

Install Switch

Fit the slide switch into the holder on the inside of the bottom half. Insert the body of the switch at an angle and press down to fit into place.

Installed Switch

The slide switch is accessible through the side of the bottom half. It features a flat surface to more easily turn the switch on and off.

Install Battery

Place the battery into the bottom half with the battery cable fitted inside. Arrange the battery and cable so it's full inside the bottom in a stationary position.

Connect CPB

Grab the CPB and connect the JST cable from the switch. 

Install Top Half

Fit the CPB through the top half of the 3d printed ornament.

Snap Fit CPB

Orient the CPB so the USB port is lined up with the hook loop on the top half. Press to snap fit the CPB into the top half of the ornament.

Snap Fit Case

Fit the top half over the bottom half. Press halves together to snap fit shut. Start with one set of snaps and work your way through all four.

Installed Top Half

The top half of the ornament features a thread for screwing a cover on top. This allows for multiple cover designs so it's easy to swap them out.

USB Port

The USB port from the CPB is accessible through the opening on the side of the ornament. The hole is large enough to fit even the most chunkiest of USB cables.

Install Cover

Twist the cover inside the top half of the ornament and fasten tightly. Remember, righty tighty, lefty loosey. 

Ornament

Flip the switch to turn on the Circuit Playground Bluefruit. Your ornament is now ready for adoring and celebrating.