LAMPED

LAMPED - A SIMPLE LIGHT CONTROL MECHANISM

A simple, desk-friendly LED “lamp” built around the LM3914 LED driver: a 10‑LED circular array that lights up progressively based on a potentiometer input. Powered from 5V USB, designed in KiCad, and ready for fabrication (Gerbers + BOM + pick&place included).

Table of Contents

• Overview
• How it works
• Repository structure
• Hardware (schematic & PCB)
• Manufacturing files
• Bill of Materials
• Assembly notes
• Usage
• Project journal
• License

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Overview

LAMPED is a small hardware project: turning a potentiometer makes LEDs light up sequentially (like a “level meter”), creating a lamp-like visual effect. The LEDs are arranged in a circle to mimic a bulb aesthetic.

Key points:

• 10 LEDs in a circular pattern
• LM3914 handles the LED level display logic
• USB 5V power (USB-A connector footprint on the board)
• Designed in KiCad
• Includes production outputs for fabrication & assembly

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How it works

The LM3914 is a dot/bar display driver. In this design it’s used as a 10-step indicator: as the potentiometer changes the input level, the IC activates LED outputs sequentially, producing a smooth “brighter/dimmer” visual progression.

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Repository structure

• README.md — project documentation (you are here)
• JOURNAL.md — build log / progress notes
• src/ — KiCad source files (schematic, PCB, 3D model export)
  • LAMPED.kicad_sch
  • LAMPED.kicad_pcb
  • LAMPED.kicad_pro
  • LAMPED.step
• production/ — manufacturing / assembly outputs
  • gerbers.zip — fabrication package
  • LAMPED_bom.csv — bill of materials export
  • LAMPED_positions.csv — pick & place / component positions
  • LAMPED_designators.csv — designators mapping
  • netlist.ipc — IPC netlist export
• images/ — renders/photos here

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Hardware (schematic & PCB)

This project was inspired by an existing LM3914 LED lamp idea and then reworked into a custom KiCad design:

• Custom schematic in KiCad
• Bulb-shaped PCB outline
• Routing intentionally keeps the center area clear to preserve the visual design
  

SCHEMATIC

PCB

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Manufacturing files

Ready-to-use outputs are included in production/:

• Gerbers: production/gerbers.zip
• BOM: production/LAMPED_bom.csv
• Pick & place: production/LAMPED_positions.csv
• Designators: production/LAMPED_designators.csv
• Netlist: production/netlist.ipc

Typical flow:

1. Upload gerbers.zip to your PCB manufacturer.
2. Use the BOM + positions file for assembly (if your manufacturer supports it).
3. Otherwise hand-solder using the BOM as reference.

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BOM

Assembly notes

General recommendations:

• LED polarity: ensure all LEDs are oriented correctly before soldering.
• Solder order: start with low-profile parts (resistors, IC socket if any), then LEDs, potentiometer, USB connector.
• USB connector: ensure mechanical alignment so it plugs in cleanly.

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Usage

1. Plug the board into a 5V USB power source (computer USB port or USB power adapter).
2. Turn the potentiometer to see LEDs light up sequentially.

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Project journal

Progress notes and timelapses are in:

• JOURNAL.md

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

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