Here's the presentation that was made at the unveiling of the Giant Lite-Brite at the Gulf Coast Exploreum in March 2013. It shows how @ITTTech in Mobile, AL students collaborated with the @theExploreum to design and build in just 11 weeks!

1. Giant Light Brite Project
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
With
ITT Technical Institute

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
• Based on the popular children’s
game Lite-Brite, created by Hasbro
in 1967.
• Two ITT Tech Capstone classes
worked as a team with the
Exploreum to design and build this
interactive exhibit in just 11 weeks.
• Design and Drafting and Electronics
Technology Capstone students
worked together to create this
display.

3. Conceptual Design Development
Other Giant Lite Brites
• Most built as a simple light box, where
holes without pegs installed are always
lit with white light.
• Although easier to build, that approach
does not allow for the creation of
interesting artwork with the colored pegs.
• Most use smaller diameter acrylic rods.
Goals for our version
• Make a more high-tech version of the
Giant Light Brite fit for a 21st century
Science Center.
• Have lights turn on automatically when
the acrylic rods are inserted into the
holes.
• Use 1.5” diameter colored acrylic rods lit
from behind by LEDs for a dramatic effect.
• Construct the full size exhibit before the
end of this quarter.

4. Initial Design Exploration
Various diameter rods were explored in a grid pattern
to determine the number of rods needed in the final
design. The spacing patterns were created by Drafting
and Design Capstone Students using CAD software.

5. Final Design for Lite Bright Playfield

6. Project Renderings

7. Prototypes
Testing the concept.

8. 1ST GENERATION PROTOTYPE
• Built by electronic
students to test their
circuitry design.
• This first prototype
was built oversized.
• However, It proved
the electronic design
concept.

10. 2ND GENERATION PROTOTYPE
• Final diameter of acrylic rods
was chosen by week 2.
• Prototype built with actual
size materials at accurate
spacing.
• Proved that the electronics
would fit within the space as
designed.

11. The construction of the final exhibit
It was a LOT of work!!

12. All holes for the plywood panel and acrylic cover were cut using
a CNC Router for, these pieces were manufactured directly from
CAD drawings produced by ITT Tech students
Fabrication Process

13. FABRICATION PROCESS
CUTTING PVC PIPE INTO 3-13/16” LENGTHS (320 PIECES)

14. FABRICATION PROCESS
CUTTING THE SLOTS INTO PVC PIPES AND CONNECTORS (640 PIECES)

15. Constructing PVC assemblies and
installing micro switches (x320)

16. Carrying in the plywood panel to the
ITT Tech campus for wiring

17. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Green micro switches are visible in
the PVC assemblies.

18. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Front view of the CNC-cut plywood panel with the PVC tubing glued in place.

19. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Masking off the switches in preparation for sanding the front of the piece. All ends of
the PVC pipes needed to be flush with the plywood surface so that the Black acrylic
cover plate lays flat when glued in place.

20. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Installing LED units

21. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Electronics Students beginning the lengthy process of wiring all of the LED lights and
switches.

22. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
More wiring!

23. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Testing the LED lights in the first row

24. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
And more wiring!

25. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Fully wired panel being brought back to the
Exploreum for integration into the cabinet.

26. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Exploreum staff just had to play with the wired panel when it arrived.

27. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Design Drawings for the Light Brite cabinet.

28. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Design Drawings for the Light Brite cabinet.

29. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Design Drawings for the Light Brite cabinet.

30. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Construction of the custom cabinet, built in the Exploreum’s loading dock.

31. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Installing acrylic cover plate and frame.

32. FINAL PIECE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Masking and painting the finished cabinet (this was at about 3:00AM!).
There is still a bit more work to do on this piece, but will be on permanent display for the general public soon!

33. Scratch Factory Phase Two
The Giant light bright will be integrated into the new “ArtWorks” section of
the gallery. The walls of the new space is inspired by the art of Piet Mondrian.

34. Scratch Factory Phase Two
Example of new “ArtWorks” gallery environment.

35. The Exploreum would like to extend a special
THANK YOU!!
To the students and faculty from ITT Technical
Institute for all of your hard work to make
this new exhibit possible!