Spinning Wheel LED Lamp

🛞 Spinning Wheel Lamp – 3D Printed Desk Lamp

This Spinning Wheel Lamp is a fully functional, mechanically driven display lamp inspired by automotive wheel and brake designs.

The wheel (tire + rim) spins smoothly on the base, driven by two internal rollers with gears. A 5V DC motor is hidden inside the stand behind the base and transmits motion to the rollers, making the wheel rotate continuously.

To enhance the visual effect, the brake disc lights up using a 6500K white LED strip, mounted inside the brake disc along the outer edge. When powered, the glowing brake disc combined with the rotating wheel creates a clean and eye‑catching lighting effect.

🔧 Mechanical & Electrical Features

• Spinning wheel supported by two gear‑driven rollers inside the base

• Brake disc illuminated with a 6500K white LED strip (~30 cm)

• 5V motor hidden in the stand

• Motor and LED strip connected in parallel

• Motor is protected with a free‑wheeling diode and electrolytic capacitor (Elko)

• Optional on/off switch for wheel rotation (mounted with M2×4 screws)

• After soldering, only one USB cable is needed to power everything

Some basic soldering is required. You can either solder the components directly or use a small PCB. Once assembled, the setup is compact, reliable, and easy to power.

An optional RS logo can be glued onto the base. A placement template is included to ensure perfect alignment.

🧰 Hardware Needed

• 5V DC motor (low RPM recommended) Link

• ~30 cm 6500K white LED strip (5V)

• Free‑wheeling diode Link

• Electrolytic capacitor (Elko)

• Wires / cabling

• Switch + M2×4 screws (optional)

• Small PCB for easy soldering

• Lubricant (for gears)

• 3D printing glue

• USB power cable (can be used from motor)

🖨 General Print Settings

• Standard print settings:

  • Layer height: 0.2 mm

  • Infill: 15% Gyroid

• Most parts use standard settings, but some parts benefit from different infill, supports, or modifiers

• Lubricate the gears lightly for smooth and quiet operation

• Use 3D printing glue for permanent assemblies

📋 Parts & Print Settings Overview 

🔧 Assembly Instructions

I recommend soldering when the brake disc is ready and the before you start with the base & stand. That way you can keep the cabling short, and everything should fit into the stand.

Wheel Assembly

1. Glue the Wheel and the Rim together
   Ensure they are properly aligned before the glue sets.

Brake Disc Assembly

1. Attach the LED strip
   Stick the LED strip to the outer wall of Disk_back and route the cable out through the rear opening.

   

2. Install the rear brake caliper
   Attach Brake_Caliper_back to Disk_back using 3× Bolt_Disk.

3. Close the brake disc
   Place Disk_front onto Disk_back.

4. Mount the wheel hub
   Insert Wheel_hub into Disk_front.

5. Secure the hub
   Tighten everything using the Nut.

6. Attach the front brake caliper
   Mount Brake_Caliper_front onto the completed brake disc assembly.

   

 Base / Stand Assembly

1. Install the motor
   Insert the 5V DC motor into the Stand.

2. Connect stand and base
   Slide the Stand into the Base using the Dovetail.

3. Attach the motor gear
   Push Gear_Motor onto the motor shaft (gluing is optional).

4. Prepare the roller gears
   Insert 2× Bolt_gear into each Gear_Roller.

5. Install rollers
   Place both Gear_Rollers into the base.

6. Base Lid
   Install the Base_lid.

7. Optional: RS logo
   Glue the RS logo onto the base using the supplied template for correct positioning.

 Final Assembly

1. Route LED cable
   Feed the LED cable through the opening in the Stand.

2. Electrical wiring
   Solder all components together (motor with Diode and Elko + LED in parallel). Optional add a Switch to switch on/off the motor.
   Once finished, close the electronics area with the lid.

   

   

   

   

3. Mount the brake disc
   Attach the completed brake disc assembly to the stand using the dovetail connection.

4. Install the wheel
   Place the wheel onto the rollers — it should sit securely and rotate smoothly.

Most part should be snap fit, but because it was designed with a mix of materials (PETG, PLA-Silk, PLA-Metal) it might need a bit of glue.

Explode View:

You can also make the lamp without the spinning feature. You then need only to connect the LED strip to a USB cable.
If the wheel is spinning it is quit loud, if you have some tips, please let me know