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Honeycomb Lamp

This project is still ongoing. The original inspiration came when my grandmother asked me to help her fix her lamp, and after switching out the bulb socket I realized I could build my own. I had just recently moved into my own apartment for the beginning of the new college year and could use some more light in my room. A neighbor was getting rid of an old lamp, so I recycled the bulb socket and reused the color changing smart bulb I had from my room at home. Then all that was left was to open Onshape and design a base and lampshade. After doing research on the internet for design inspiration, I settled on a cylindrical shape with a simple honeycomb design printed in transparent filament for the lampshade.

Version 1

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Base

For the first iteration of the lamp base, I created a basic cylinder shape, and cut a hot to fit the lamp socket, with a 1mm tolerance from the size of the socket which I measured with digital tolerance. I also added 3 triangle nubs to attach the lampshade, and a hole on the side for the power cord.

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Lampshade

I started with a thin cylinder and extruded a hex pattern around the side. I also cut 3 triangular holes for the attachment nubs, and filled in the half-hexes above the holes to hide the nubs once the shade was attached.

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Pros

I am happy with the overall look of the design. The honeycomb looks interesting enough without being an eyesore on the desk. The fit of the socket into the base is very snug, so I am not worried about the light wobbling at all. I also am satisfied with the space I gave for the cord to go out the back of the lamp.

Cons

The main issue I encountered with this design was the connector nubs. They all have different orientations, so there was only one specific orientation which the lampshade could be attached. It would be much more convenient if any hole could fit any of the three nubs. Also, one of the nubs quickly broke off. The nubs should be a little larger and more substantial so they are not so easily broken. The lampshade was also difficult because the tolerance of the nubs was too small, so the nubs fit in the holes too tightly.

Version 2

Plan

  • Align each nub so one point of the triangle is directly facing the center

  • Beef up the nubs so they are not so easily broken

  • Increase the size of the hole so the nubs slide in easily

Tech Solutions Illustration