6/29/2015 Update

I have redesigned the caps, this one has a space to install a motion detector. I dont know what i will do with this sensor, but it seemed like it could be fun, so for now the hardware will go in and I can add functionality later.

Just some photos to share

A soon to happen post will have detailed pics of all the parts, but they arent all printed yet so I need a few weeks still to get it all ready.

also this pic showing the wiring, this setup now has 48 more LEDs than pictured.

Here are the parts I am currently printing, they are the largest and most time consuming of the project.

6/15/2015 Update

I have been working with Alex Gorbunov from work to get the code working and we had a brainstorming session that resulted in me ordering a thermometer, motion sensor, audio amplifier and a light sensor.
We have plans to integrate all this into the project, but for now i am concentrating on finishing up the printing so I can get this thing painted and installed. We can add features and updates after its physically complete.
I also still need to find good info as to how i could make an LCARS style UI that would run on the 5" touch screen that is on the back of this thing. I would love a plus and minus button to change the speed manually, some buttons to run some other fun programs Alex made, display the temperature and perhaps some other things we have not thought of yet.

i want to make a UI like the one below to control this on the raspberry pi. I was thinking i could make a web interface pretty easily if i can find instructions on how to control the python code from buttons in a web page. This all may sound silly as I am not a coder, but this is what i am imagining. If you have ideas please contact me!

6/3/2015 - Update

I have added 48 more LEDs to the design,
24 to the center core piece and then a strip of 12 behind each spacer ring.

also here are some print failures to chuckle at.