⭐ Never struggle with standard opaque LED matrices again! In this video, I'll show you how I designed and built a fully transparent 15x10 LED matrix on a flexible PCB using 150 WS2812B addressable RGB LEDs. From schematic design to animations, you'll see every step including how to keep the board see-through by avoiding copper pours, ordering from JLCPCB, and attaching it to a 3D-printed stand.
What You Will Learn in This Video: 1️⃣ Designing a transparent LED matrix schematic in Altium with 150 WS2812B pixels. 2️⃣ Routing a transparent flex PCB with no ground plane for maximum clarity. 3️⃣ Ordering transparent flex PCBs with SMT assembly from JLCPCB. 4️⃣ Connecting and testing the matrix with an Arduino Uno. 5️⃣ 3D printing a stand and frame to mount the flexible matrix.
🛠️ TOOLS I USED Visit Altium Develop : Design your own PCBs → https://www.altium.com/yt/diyguychris JLCPCB (Discount): Order transparent flex PCBs → https://jlcpcb.com/?from=TIP JLC3DP (3D Printing): Transparent frame & stand → https://jlc3dp.com/?from=TIP Online Altium Project Files : Access here → https://diy-guy-chris.365.altium.com/designs/3EB14E6D-0054-4E4B-9D7C-5D6976582FB9#design
📁 PROJECT FILES Check full GitHub repo : https://github.com/BEEMB/DIY-Transparent-LED-Matrix Circuit Schematic : https://github.com/BEEMB/DIY-Transparent-LED-Matrix/blob/main/Hardware/Transparent%20LED%20Matrix.pdf JLCPCB-optimized Gerbers : https://github.com/BEEMB/DIY-Transparent-LED-Matrix/blob/main/Hardware/GERBER.rar BOM File : https://github.com/BEEMB/DIY-Transparent-LED-Matrix/blob/main/Hardware/BOM.xlsx Pick-and-Place files : https://github.com/BEEMB/DIY-Transparent-LED-Matrix/blob/main/Hardware/PickAndPlace.xlsx STL for 3D Printed Stand : https://github.com/BEEMB/DIY-Transparent-LED-Matrix/blob/main/Hardware/Stand.STL
🔧 BUILD ESSENTIALS PCB Assembly: 🔍 Transparent Flex PCB from JLCPCB (with SMT assembly) 💧 Low Temperature Solder Paste: https://www.amazon.com/Solder-Bi57-6-No-Clean-Lead-Free-Temperature/dp/B0195V1QEI?crid=16CSNCFB26IC8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.To7l6-y3C_Wg53Rbpgsvh1MJw7Xlg95G6V_B7zbdrHnKTeo_hLuvYV2PFwVM5ZiB25uiWNPAEIF8v2vSMeOY6Y58LYARfoIqmi5l5ZQBos4q7nPTMessCcPigbyvJSvtjGl0B1qIef-QSbw1vcvO5aOUDaiNMnSXmp3s0zywlT_vN4RA_07L1oBcbfieIQNkdbgilf_A_z8a43onEPwpa0SErCHfW_tKsFQpHwA4V4DsQPIJDzXe3HhsRx4lxJOcGFSDpmYxaWv0F39MOvWkmTJtZiipMk5qmvFbNONvK4M.zihNZlgihwwAB2JCnxp0PxqhXGaDPDzLHhN8bnGPNuQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=solder+paste+chipquik&qid=1777117221&sprefix=solder+paste+chip%2Caps%2C276&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll2&tag=megadas-20&linkId=3f2705cc1c7b8574f130ba98ce2ce719&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl 💧 Flux cleaner: https://amzn.to/4vO94Lo 🔥 Mini Hotplate: https://amzn.to/4e3BE5b 🔥 Soldering station: https://amzn.to/4cvwEoN 🎯 Precision Tweezers: https://amzn.to/4mNdXAe 🔧 PCB Stencil (from JLCPCB)
Debugging & Programming: 🔎 Digital microscope Camera: https://amzn.to/41ZlhPQ 🔌 Digital Multimeter: https://amzn.to/41VhvqF 📟 Arduino Uno (or compatible)
3D Printing (Stand & Frame): 🧱 PLA Filament 🧱 Transparent resin (optional for frame) 🩶 Super glue: https://amzn.to/4sQDqu5
⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 – Project intro & transparent matrix demo 0:37 – Schematic design in Altium (150 WS2812B pixels) 1:18 – PCB layout – routing without ground plane 2:40 – Ordering transparent flex PCB with SMT from JLCPCB 3:00 – Unboxing the assembled transparent PCB 3:27 – Testing the matrix with Arduino & FastLED 3:46 – 3D printing the stand & frame 4:05 – Final assembly and mounting
🔗 MORE PROJECTS Transparent Arduino UNO: https://youtu.be/CXMNoTEyvVs Learn How to Burn Bootloader: https://youtu.be/UUYz1T53EIQ Check my DIY Battery Spot Welder video: https://youtu.be/PaCtLfOyqVk
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Keywords: #jlcpcb #diy #electronic #pcb #transparent #flex #ledmatrix #ws2812b #hardware #maker #circuit #diycrafts #diybuild #rgb #neopixel #fastled