# Glue Stick Light Pipe Sculpture ## Overview For this project we will create a "fiber optic" rainbow archway using glue sticks and a NeoPixel LED dot strand. The NeoPixels hidden beneath the glue sticks guide the light in a curved path away from the LEDs. Because each glue stick connects two different NeoPixels, they are able to mix colors in the center, allowing tons of different color combinations to be achieved. You can make neat sculptures with light effects! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/897/medium800thumb/led_pixels_TNSY1410.2019-01-24_19_05_19.jpg?1548374913) This guide demonstrates how to make, assemble, and code your own glue-stick-fiber-optic art piece, demonstrating how to control the speed, color, and interactive potential of the light display, as well as alternative glue stick arrangements.  ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/847/medium800thumb/led_pixels_Rainbow_hero.2019-01-24_15_12_35.jpg?1548360789) ## Fiber Optic...-ish Fiber optic cables work by virtue of a unique property called "total internal reflection", allowing them to carry huge amounts of information in the form of light almost losslessly. Glue sticks do not make good substitutes for [fiber optic cable](http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/optmod/fibopt.html) because they do not have total internal reflection, rather they act like light pipes, both scattering and reflecting light that enters them. This does, however, make them great light diffusers, which suits this project just fine.  ## Electronics ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ![A Black woman's manicured hand holds a round microcontroller with lit up LEDs.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3333-05.jpg) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ![USB cable - USB A to Micro-B - 3 foot long](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/592-01.jpg) ### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch [Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630) Attaching NeoPixel strips to your costume can be a struggle as the flexible PCBs can crack when bent too much. So how to add little dots of color? Use these stranded NeoPixel dots! They're very small, so they're easy to embed into any structure, costume, or wearable. Each dot is... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3630/guides) ![Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2 inch Pitch](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3630-02.jpg) ### 3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST [3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) This battery holder connects 3 AAA batteries together in series for powering all kinds of projects. We spec'd these out because the box is slim, and 3 AAA's add up to about 3.3-4.5V, a very similar range to Lithium Ion/polymer (Li-Ion) batteries and have an on-off switch. That makes... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/727/guides) ![Front angled shot of 3 x AAA battery holder with on-off switch and 2-pin JST PH connector.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/727-07.jpg) Or, for a rechargeable version: ### Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery - 3.7v 2200mAh [Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery - 3.7v 2200mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1781) Need a big battery for your project? This lithium-ion battery contains a 2200mAh and a protection circuit that provides over-voltage, under-voltage, and over-current protection. Yet, it is slim and easy to fit into many project cases. This cell can provide 2 **C** of... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1781) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1781/guides) ![Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery - 3.7v 2200mAh with JST PH connector](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1781-04.jpg) ### Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger [Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1304) Oh so adorable, this is the tiniest little lipo charger, so handy you can keep it any project box! Its also easy to use. Simply plug in the gold plated contacts into any USB port and a 3.7V/4.2V lithium polymer or lithium ion rechargeable battery into the JST plug on the other end. There are... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1304) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1304/guides) ![Top view of Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger - v1 above a 2-pin JST cable.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1304-06.jpg) ## Other Materials For this project you will need: - Scrap corrugated cardboard - Scissors and/or box cutter - [Hot glue sticks](https://www.amazon.com/Surebonder-PRO2-100-Watt-High-Temperature/dp/B00627G6QC/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1548380526&sr=1-6&keywords=10+inch+glue+sticks) (10 inches long x 0.44 inches wide is ideal) - Laser cutter + acrylic (optional) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/glue-stick-archway/makecode.md) ## Featured Products ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch [Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630) Attaching NeoPixel strips to your costume can be a struggle as the flexible PCBs can crack when bent too much. So how to add little dots of color? Use these stranded NeoPixel dots! They're very small, so they're easy to embed into any structure, costume, or wearable. Each dot is... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3630/guides) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ### Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery - 3.7v 2200mAh [Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery - 3.7v 2200mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1781) Need a big battery for your project? This lithium-ion battery contains a 2200mAh and a protection circuit that provides over-voltage, under-voltage, and over-current protection. Yet, it is slim and easy to fit into many project cases. This cell can provide 2 **C** of... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1781) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1781/guides) ### Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger [Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1304) Oh so adorable, this is the tiniest little lipo charger, so handy you can keep it any project box! Its also easy to use. Simply plug in the gold plated contacts into any USB port and a 3.7V/4.2V lithium polymer or lithium ion rechargeable battery into the JST plug on the other end. There are... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1304) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1304/guides) ### 3 x AA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch, JST, and Belt Clip [3 x AA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch, JST, and Belt Clip](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3287) This battery holder connects 3 AA batteries together in series for powering all kinds of projects. We spec'd these out because the box is compact, and 3 AA's add up to about 3.3-4.5V, a very similar range to Lithium Ion/polymer (Li-Ion) batteries, plus it has a nifty on-off... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3287) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3287/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Make It Bubble](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-bubble.md) - [Circuit Playground Express Perk-up Ears](https://learn.adafruit.com/perk-up-ears.md) - [Circuit Playground Express Spinner Game in MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-makecode-spinner-game.md) - [Light-Up Costumes in Harsh Environments](https://learn.adafruit.com/light-up-costumes-in-harsh-environments.md) - [NYE Circuit Playground Drop](https://learn.adafruit.com/nye-circuit-playground-drop.md) - [Larson Scanner Shades (Trinket-Powered NeoPixel LED Strip Glasses)](https://learn.adafruit.com/larson-scanner-shades.md) - [Magic Light Bag of Holding](https://learn.adafruit.com/magic-light-bag-of-holding.md) - [Slider Crank Mechanism -- from Cardboard and Craft Sticks](https://learn.adafruit.com/cardboard-slider-crank.md) - [Bunny Ears with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/bunny-ears-with-makecode.md) - [Making oscilloscope images with DACs](https://learn.adafruit.com/dac-oscilloscope-images.md) - [No-Solder LED Disco Tie with Bluetooth](https://learn.adafruit.com/no-solder-circuit-playground-bluetooth-disco-tie.md) - [Crickit Lab Shaker](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-lab-shaker.md) - [Storage humidity and temperature monitor](https://learn.adafruit.com/storage-humidity-and-temperature-monitor.md) - [Ursula's Seashell Necklace](https://learn.adafruit.com/ursulas-seashell-necklace.md) - [Kaleidoscope Eyes (Trinket-Powered NeoPixel LED Ring Goggles)](https://learn.adafruit.com/kaleidoscope-eyes-neopixel-led-goggles-trinket-gemma.md)