# NeoPixel Bracelet
## Overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc32KN9ec0A
## Hello NeoPixels!
Are you looking for an awesome blinky project? Do you like the idea of wearing RGB light spectrum on your wrists? Well, we have a project for you! This project is great for anyone that's getting started with electronics and 3D printing. This guide walks through the whole process of building this project so you can follow along step by step. The wiring, circuit diagram and code used in this project can easily be adapted for making other projects.
## Trinket Powered
This slim bracelet is powered by a Trinket, mini skinny NeoPixel LED Strips and a rechargeable battery! The USB port is accessible from the side of the bracelet and uses a small but super strong magnets to keep it on while wearing!
Check out these improvements to neopixel bracelet in the forums:
[Flat Braclet with Trinket M0](https://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=174205)
## Parts
You'll need the following parts to build this project.
- [Adafruit 5V Trinket](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1501)
- [Mini Skinny NeoPixel Strip (60m)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2959)
- [150mAh Lithuim polymer battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317)
- [JST extension cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1131)
- [Slide Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/805)
- [Micro Lipo w/MicroUSB Jack - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1904)
## Tools & Supplies
You'll need the following tools and supplise to build this project.
- [Soldering Iron & Solder](../../../adafruit-guide-excellent-soldering)
- [Diagonal Flush Snips](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152)
- [Helping Third Hands](https://www.adafruit.com/products/291)
## Magnets & Paper Clip
We used these strong diametrically magnetized cylindical magnets:
- [1/8" dia. x 1/4" thick Diametrical Magnets](http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=D24DIA "Diametrically Magnetized Cylinders")
We'll also need a paperclip to make a pin for the hinge.
### Adafruit Trinket - Mini Microcontroller - 5V Logic
[Adafruit Trinket - Mini Microcontroller - 5V Logic](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1501)
**Deprecation Warning: The Trinket bit-bang USB technique it uses doesn't work as well as it did in 2014, many modern computers won't work well. So while we still carry the Trinket so that people can maintain some older projects, we no longer recommend it.**
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1501)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1501/guides)
### Adafruit Mini Skinny NeoPixel Digital RGB LED Strip - 60 LED/m
[Adafruit Mini Skinny NeoPixel Digital RGB LED Strip - 60 LED/m](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2959)
So thin. So mini. So teeeeeeny-tiny. It's the 'skinny' version of our classic NeoPixel strips!
These NeoPixel strips have 60 digitally-addressable pixel Mini LEDs per meter and are very affordable and are only 7.5 mm wide, 5 mm if you remove the strip from the...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2959)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2959/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 150mAh
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 150mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 150mAh for a total of about 0.6 Wh. If you need a larger battery,
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1317/guides)
### Breadboard-friendly SPDT Slide Switch
[Breadboard-friendly SPDT Slide Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/805)
These nice switches are perfect for use with breadboard and perfboard projects. They have 0.1" spacing and snap in nicely into a solderless breadboard. They're easy to switch no matter what size fingers you have, but not so easy that they'll get flipped by accident. Work great as...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/805)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/805/guides)
### Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Wire - 30AWG in Various Colors
[Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Wire - 30AWG in Various Colors](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2051)
Silicone-sheathing wire is super-flexible and soft, and its also strong! Able to handle up to 200°C and up to 600V, it will do when PVC covered wire wimps out. We like this wire for being extremely supple and flexible, so it is great for wearables or projects where the wire-harness has to...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2051)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2051/guides)
### JST-PH Battery Extension Cable - 500mm
[JST-PH Battery Extension Cable - 500mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1131)
By popular demand, we now have a handy extension cord for all of our JST PH-terminated battery packs (such as our LiIon/LiPoly and 3xAAA holders). One end has a JST-PH compatible socket, and the other end has a matching plug. Between the two, 500mm of color coded wire. Handy for wearable...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1131)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1131/guides)
# NeoPixel Bracelet
## Circuit Diagram
## Circuit Playground
The circuit diagram above shows how the components will be wired together. The actual lengths of wire will be different. Use this diagram to reference how the connections can be wired.
The pads on the back of the Trinket connect to **power (Red)** and **ground (Black)**
**5V** on the **LED Strip** connects to **Bat** on the **Trinket**
**GND ** on the **LED Strip** connects to **Gnd** on the **Trinket**
**Din ** on the **LED Strip** connects to **#0 ** on the **Trinket**
## Battery Power & Switch
The circuit will be powered by a small 150mAh lipo battery via a JST connector. The slide switch will connect to the ground on the Trinket, to the ground on the battery – This essentially opens and closes the circuit.
# NeoPixel Bracelet
## Code
## Getting Code Onto Trinket
Before we start disassembling or building the circuit, it's a good idea to get code uploaded to the micro-controller first. If you don't write / understand code, don't to worry! You don't need to be a programmer to be able to upload prewritten code :-)
We'll walk you through the whole process.
First, visit the Trinket tutorial page by clicking the button below. Follow the instructions to download & setup the Arduino IDE and install drivers.
[Getting Started with Trinket](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-trinket/)
Make sure you are able to get sketches compiled and uploaded, especially the blink example in the tutorial. Once you are comfortable with using the Trinket, you can continue!
## Install Adafruit NeoPixel Library
Next, we need to add support for NeoPixels.
Visit the [Adafruit NeoPixel tutorial](../../../../adafruit-neopixel-uberguide/arduino-library-installation) to install the NeoPixel library!
[Install NeoPixel Library](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide/arduino-library-installation)
## Download Code to Sketch Folder
Now that we have the Adafruit boards & NeoPixel library installed, we can get our code ready to upload onto the board. Click the button below to download a zip file of the Arduino sketch. Uncompress it and place the folder to the Sketches folder. Open the file named "GemmaHoopAnimator.ino".
## Uploading Code to Board
Then, in Arduino IDE, paste it in the sketch window (making sure to overwrite anything currently there). Next, goto the **Tools** menu \> **Board** and select **Adafruit Trinket** (if you're using the **3V Adafruit Trinket** version use **Trinket 8Mhz**. If you're using the **5V Trinket** , select **Trinket 12Mhz** ). Now you can click on the " **check mark**" icon to verify the code. If it's all good, we can continue to upload the code to the board.
## Connect USB Data Cable to Trinket
Be sure to use a micro USB cable that can transfer data - A USB cable that ONLY charges devices will simply not work. Plug it into the microUSB port on the Adafruit Trinket board and the USB port on your computer (try to avoid connecting to a USB hub). As soon as you plug it in, you'll see a red LED blink on the Adaruit Trinket - This let's you know the board is ready to except code. While the LED is blinking, click on the Upload button (It's a right arrow icon, next to the check mark). The Arduino IDE will notify you if the upload is successful and completed.
[GemmaHoopAnimator.zip](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/038/662/original/GemmaHoopAnimator.zip?1485213148)
Info:
# NeoPixel Bracelet
## 3D Printing
## Download and 3D Print
The 3D printed parts can be downloaded with the link below.
[Edit Design](http://a360.co/2jjwqXa)
## Edit Design
You can easily update the size or add features by editing the Fusion360 designs. The sketches are all listed in the timeline, so it's easy to adjust the size to each component.
[Download from Thingiverse](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2056124)
[Download from Youmagine](https://www.youmagine.com/designs/neopixel-led-bracelet)
[Download from Pinshape](Enter%20a%20Link)
## 3D Printing Enclosures
I drew up an enclosure in Autodesk Fusion 360 and designed to print in **PLA**. I 3D printed the enclosure using the BCN3D Sigma. If you don’t have access to a 3D printer, you could use a service like [3D Hubs](https://www.3dhubs.com/) to make it for you.
## Diffusing LEDs
I used [Natural White PLA/PHA](https://www.adafruit.com/products/3059) material to 3D print the parts to give the LEDs a soft diffusion. You can also use [Translucent filament](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2451) for a sharper light diffusion.
## Slice Settings
Depending on your 3D printer, you may need to adjust the slice settings. We tested the enclosure on a BCN3D Sigma. The parts may **require support** materials. The parts are oriented to print "as is".
- Nozzle: 0.4mm
- Extrusion Multiplier: 1.0
- Extrusion Width: 0.4mm
- Layer Height: 0.2mm
- Nozzle Temperature: 240c
- Print Speed: 60mm/s
## Supports
The bridging on the hinge ports for the wires may need supports. If your printer has a good cooling fan, you should be able to print without any supports
If you do require supports, we recommend setting **structure underspeed to 30%** and lower **dense infill percentage to 30%.**
## Thin Wall Perimeters
Optimize the tool path by adjusting the thin wall perimeter to 50%. This will yeild a stronger part and speed up printing by insuring the nozzle only travels along the shape of the parts (no zigzag between walls).
# NeoPixel Bracelet
## Assembly
## Measure Strip
The enclosure has enough area to fit four strips of Mini Skinny NeoPixels (medium density) with 5 LEDs each to create a 5x4 matrix. Measure the strip by counting up the NeoPixels and noting where they need to separate. The strips will be installed into the **LED Body1.stl** part. Insert a piece of the strip and check to see if it can fit.
## Cut NeoPixel Strips
NeoPixel strips are designed to be cut to create custom sized strips. Use a pair of scissors or wire cutters to cut across the three pads, being as centered as possible. We want to cut right in down the middle of the three pads. We'll need four strips with 5 LEDs each.
## Wire Length
Lay the strips out in a 5x4 grid and orient them so the arrows are flowing from left to right. The arrows will appear in a zigzag pattern. We'll need to connect the strips together using 30AWG silicone coated wires.
Measure and cut three sets of wires (9 in total). These need to be as short as possible. Each wire for power, data and ground should have different lengths.
##
## Solder
Use wire strippers to remove insulation from the tips of each wire. Tin the tips of the wires by appying a small amount of solder – This also helps prevent the stands of wire from fraying. Then, solder each wire to the pads on each LED strip. A pair of third helping hands can help keep the parts steady while soldering.
## Enclosure Halves
The Trinket, switch and battery will be housed in the **LED Body2.stl** part while the four NeoPixel strips will go inside the **LEDBody1.stl** part.
## Trinket Wires
Insert the Trinket inside the **LED Body2.stl** part with the USB port fitting into the cutout. Now you can guage how long the connections will need to be to connect the NeoPixel strip to the Trinket. Grab a wire and measure how long it needs to be to reach the Trinket. Measure and cut three pieces of wire. Connect each wire to the three pads on the NeoPixel with the arrow point away from the wires (pointing towards the NeoPixel).
##
## Thread wire through Hinge
Now we need to insert the three wires from the NeoPixel strip into the **LED Body1.stl** part. Thread the wires through the inside going out the rectangular opening on the side. Make sure the wires are straightened out to avoid them from bending while opening and closing the hinge.
## Install Strip
Wedge the end of LED strip (with no wiring) into the **LED Body1.stl** part and push it all the way down inside. Hold onto the long wires from the beginning of the strip so it doesn't go inside the enclosure. Insert all four strips inside the part and stack one on top of the other. Try to have the pixels lined up with each other.
## Pull Wires
To fit the last strip, pull the wires from the end of the strip while wedging it in. Tuck the strip into the enclosure and adjust until they're fully enclosed.
## Pack Strips
You can use a flat head screwdriver or tweezers to pack the wires and sheathing into the enclosure.
## Wires won't fit?
If you have trouble fitting the strips inside the enclosure, the wiring might be too long. If that's the case, you could shorten the wires and resolder to accomodate the enclosure.
## Attach Lid
Now we can fit the cover over the enclosure. The **LED Top1.stl** part is the long one. It snap fits on top of the **LED Body1.stl** part.
## Thread hinge
Now we can thread the three wires from the NeoPixel strip through the **LED Body2.stl** part. Insert the wires on the outside of the enclosure and through the rectangular hole. Make sure the wires and straight and twisting. Then, join the two halves together and line up the holes.
## Hinge Pin
We'll use a paperclip as a pin for the hinge. Unfold a paper clip to create a long piece of solid core wire and insert it through the hole on the enclosure. Bend each end so that it can stay between both halves. We want the pin to be shorter than the length of the parts. Use wire cutters to trim the paper clip short.
## Bend and Cut paperclip
Use a pair of tweezers to embed the pin into the hinge. Test opening and closing the bracelet. If the pin falls out, try bending the ends slightly so they are lodged inside the hinge.
## Measure JST Extension Cable
Next, we need a way to connect the lipo battery to the Trinket and have the ability to power the circuit on and off. To do this, we'll connect a slide switch and a JST connector to the Trinket.
Grab the JST extension cable and look for the end with the female JST connector. Position the trinket, switch and connector close to one another and measure the required length needed to connect them together. Now we can gauge how long the power and ground wires need to be to connect the Trinket. The switch will be wired inline with the ground(black)wire.
Cut, strip and tin the two wires from the JST extension cable. Solder the red wire from the female JST connector to the positive pad on the back of the Trinket.
## Solder Slide Switch
We'll only need two of the three leads on the slide switch. Trim the third lead (either the far left or right, but not the middle). Tin the two remaining leads with solder. Then, connect the black ground wire from the JST connector to one of the leads on the switch. We'll need a second ground wire to connect to the second lead of the switch. This new ground wire will then connect to the ground pad on the Trinket. We're essentially opening and closing the ground connection with the switch – allowing us to power the circuit on and off.
## Connect NeoPixel to Trinket
Now we need to connect the three wires from the NeoPixel strip to the Trinket. The circuit fits into the enclosure best if the wires are soldered from the back of the Trinket. The data wire from the strip will connect to **pin #0** on the Trinket. The positive pad from the strip connects to the **BAT** pin on the Trinket. Then, connect ground from the NeoPixel strip to ground on the Trinket.
## Fit Trinket
Now it's time to fit the Trinket and wiring into the enclosure. Insert the Trinket into the **LED Body2.stl** part and orient the wires so they're straight with the back of the Tinket.
## Fit JST connection
Push the wires from the JST connector tothe bottom of the enclosure. Position the JST connection facing upwards.
## Fit Slide Switch
Apply pressure to the slide swith and push it between the edges of the enclosure, right next to the Trinket. Push on one side and then the other to fit the slide switch inside.
## Insert Lipo Battery
Connect the JST connector from the battery to the female connector on the Trinket. Now we can install the battery into the enclosure. Position the battery so the wires are facing towards the top. The JST connectors and battery should have enough room to easily slide inside. Wedge the excess wiring to the side and curve it long the inside of the enclosure.
Danger:
## Attach Lid
Place the **LED Top2.stl** lid over the **LED Body2.stl** enclosure and press it in. If you're using the Trinket miniUSB version, you may need to cut a small part of the lid to properly attach the lid.
## Snap Lid onto Trinket
The Lid has a groove that snaps onto the side of the Trinket and holds it in place. To remove the lid, use tweezers to pop it off.
## Mark & Insert Magnets
Next, we'll use magnets to keep the two halves of the enclosure closed. These cylindrical magnets are diametrically magnetized so we can install them into the enclosure upright. Use a sharpie to label the matching polarities. Then, press a magnet into the indents on the edge of the enclosure halves. Ensure they're inserted with the correct matching polarities. We only need two magnets on each halve. Test the polarities of the magnets below fully embedding them. You should be able to lock the two edges together. Magnets!
## Complete!
And now we have an awesome NeoPixel 3D printed bracelet! Wear it over your wrist and flip the switch to try it out. When you need to recharge the battery, you can pop the cover off and disconnect the battery from the JST connector. You can use a [USB Lipo charging breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1904) to recharge the battery over USB.
## Light Painting
You can use these bracelets to creat stunning light paints using the long exposure photography technique.
## Featured Products
### Adafruit Mini Skinny NeoPixel Digital RGB LED Strip - 60 LED/m
[Adafruit Mini Skinny NeoPixel Digital RGB LED Strip - 60 LED/m](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2959)
So thin. So mini. So teeeeeeny-tiny. It's the 'skinny' version of our classic NeoPixel strips!
These NeoPixel strips have 60 digitally-addressable pixel Mini LEDs per meter and are very affordable and are only 7.5 mm wide, 5 mm if you remove the strip from the...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2959)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2959/guides)
### Adafruit Trinket - Mini Microcontroller - 5V Logic
[Adafruit Trinket - Mini Microcontroller - 5V Logic](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1501)
**Deprecation Warning: The Trinket bit-bang USB technique it uses doesn't work as well as it did in 2014, many modern computers won't work well. So while we still carry the Trinket so that people can maintain some older projects, we no longer recommend it.**
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1501)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1501/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 150mAh
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 150mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 150mAh for a total of about 0.6 Wh. If you need a larger battery,
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1317/guides)
### JST-PH Battery Extension Cable - 500mm
[JST-PH Battery Extension Cable - 500mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1131)
By popular demand, we now have a handy extension cord for all of our JST PH-terminated battery packs (such as our LiIon/LiPoly and 3xAAA holders). One end has a JST-PH compatible socket, and the other end has a matching plug. Between the two, 500mm of color coded wire. Handy for wearable...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1131)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1131/guides)
### Breadboard-friendly SPDT Slide Switch
[Breadboard-friendly SPDT Slide Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/805)
These nice switches are perfect for use with breadboard and perfboard projects. They have 0.1" spacing and snap in nicely into a solderless breadboard. They're easy to switch no matter what size fingers you have, but not so easy that they'll get flipped by accident. Work great as...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/805)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/805/guides)
### Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Wire - 30AWG in Various Colors
[Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Wire - 30AWG in Various Colors](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2051)
Silicone-sheathing wire is super-flexible and soft, and its also strong! Able to handle up to 200°C and up to 600V, it will do when PVC covered wire wimps out. We like this wire for being extremely supple and flexible, so it is great for wearables or projects where the wire-harness has to...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2051)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2051/guides)
### PLA Filament for 3D Printers - 1.75mm Diameter
[PLA Filament for 3D Printers - 1.75mm Diameter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3059)
Having a 3D printer without filament is sort of like having a regular printer without paper or ink. And while a lot of printers come with some filament there's a good chance you've been printing up a storm and need something new. That's why we've started carrying a...
No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3059)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3059/guides)
### Helping Third Hand Magnifier W/Magnifying Glass Tool
[Helping Third Hand Magnifier W/Magnifying Glass Tool](https://www.adafruit.com/product/291)
The classic 'third hand tool,' as seen on every desk! We have one next to our [Panavise jr](//www.adafruit.com/products/151), they complement each other well. This tool is good for holding small PCBs and wires for tinning or soldering to parts.
- Every...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/291)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/291/guides)
## Related Guides
- [3D Printed Daft Punk Helmet with Bluetooth ](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-daft-punk-helmet-with-bluetooth.md)
- [Trinket USB Keyboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-usb-keyboard.md)
- [Ultrasonic Ruler](https://learn.adafruit.com/ultrasonic-ruler.md)
- [Zelda Master Sword](https://learn.adafruit.com/zelda-master-sword.md)
- [Crickit Powered Maker Ice Cream Truck!](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-maker-ice-cream-truck.md)
- [Trinket React Counter](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-react-counter.md)
- [Trinket / Gemma IR Control](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-gemma-ir-remote-control.md)
- [Weather Wise Wifi Umbrella Stand](https://learn.adafruit.com/weather-wise-wifi-umbrella-stand.md)
- [DIY Rechargeable LED Makeup Compact](https://learn.adafruit.com/diy-rechargeable-led-makeup-compact.md)
- [MicroPython Smart Holiday Lights](https://learn.adafruit.com/micropython-smart-holiday-lights.md)
- [A NeoPixel Blinkendisc](https://learn.adafruit.com/a-neopixel-blinkendisc.md)
- [3D Printed LED Fire Horns](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-led-fire-horns.md)
- [3D Printed LED Knuckle Jewelry ](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-led-knuckle-jewelry.md)
- [Bluefruit Playground App](https://learn.adafruit.com/bluefruit-playground-app.md)
- [NeoPixel Cyber Falls Wig](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-cyber-falls.md)