An algorithm for creating an endless mirror, from material selection to assembly

LED tapes allowed designers to realize many original interior solutions. With their help, you can beautifully highlight furniture and create a real art object. One of the most unusual options for lighting design of the room is the so-called endless mirror - a light tunnel, which is fascinating at first sight. Such a decor item will not leave anyone indifferent, and you can make it even with your own hands.

What is a

An endless mirror creates a magical illusion of infinite depth, despite the fact that its design is actually completely flat. Looking into it, it seems that this is a well that does not have a bottom or is located at a great distance. In fact, the thickness of the mirror is a few centimeters. This effect is obtained thanks to small LEDs that illuminate the mirror surface: closer to the center they become smaller and shine less brightly, due to which optical illusion occurs. A person gets the impression that the tunnel narrows a little, and his bottom is in pitch darkness.

It is not difficult to theoretically explain such an optical effect. You can even create an illusory endless tunnel with the help of an ordinary candle: many girls of almost all generations have used this magic, performing sacred rituals of fortune telling. Due to the multiple reflection of the light source from the real and imaginary surfaces of the mirror, it seemed as if a candle fell into the tunnel without end and edge. All this can be easily explained in terms of quantum physics.

Infinity mirrors are a wonderful decor item that can become the main accent in the interior. Most often they are used in the design of commercial premises: nightclubs and bars, cafes, exhibition halls, offices. However, you can decorate an apartment with such an art object. It will be appropriate to look in the bathroom or hallway, made in the Gothic or industrial style, with elements of minimalism, pop art or techno.

A mirror with infinite depth can be used not only for its intended purpose, as a wall design with illumination, but also as an element of other furniture. It will become an original tabletop for a coffee table, a facet of a cubic design, decoration for the floor and more. It can be a full ceiling chandelier or an additional light source.

How to do it yourself

You can order an LED art object far from everywhere, but this is not necessary, because it’s not so difficult to make a mirror with an effect of infinity yourself. All that is needed is to purchase materials, build a frame and assemble the structure according to ready-made instructions and schemes. At the final stage, the LED strip is glued - and the installation is fascinating to the eye.

Necessary materials and tools

To create the effect of an endless mirror, you need to prepare materials and tools, namely:

1. Two types of mirrors. The first is ordinary, with one-way reflection. The second is glass with a partial mirror effect (plexiglass is also suitable). They must be the same size.
2. Light source. The most economical in terms of energy consumption are LEDs, so it is advisable to stock up on self-adhesive tape.
3. A collapsible frame frame for a mirror structure that holds the mirrors at a distance of about 2 cm from each other. If nothing suitable was found, you need to prepare a few wooden bars and silicone sealant for gluing them.
4. Sunscreen Mirror Window Film. It will create the necessary glass tinting effect.
5. Tools: scissors, cutter, glue gun, hammer drill or drill.

To make a mirror surface with a partial reflecting effect, most likely, you will have to do it yourself. To do this, glue ordinary glass with a sun-reflecting window film, having previously cleaned and degreased it. It will be necessary to cut off such a piece of material so that it is slightly larger than the glass surface in its area (go beyond it from all sides).

To apply a film to glass, you should start from one angle, gradually lubricating the surface with liquid soap. It must be ironed constantly to avoid the formation of air bubbles.

There are a number of specific requirements for a light source. Firstly, it should not give off heat. Secondly, to be bright enough and not get lost behind the mirror film. An ideal option would be an RGB LED strip. The working rating of its voltage should be equal to 24 volts. This is the best solution.

Frame manufacturing

The frame can be any wooden frame of the appropriate size with a depth of at least 1.3-1.5 cm. The design can be done with your own hands. To do this, you need 4 pieces of wood 2 cm wide. Next, you need to follow a simple instruction:

1. The bars are glued directly to the mirror using pre-prepared silicone sealant.
2. The made rack frame also needs to be prepared for the output of the wires supplying the light source. To do this, small holes are drilled in it with a drill.
3. Reiki glued in stages, one after another, and aligned at the edges of the mirror surface.

If the finished frame is taken as the basis, then tinted glass and an additional inner frame of a smaller size are inserted into it, which will serve as an emphasis for the inserted mirror. In it, grooves are made under the wire for the LEDs using a cutter (on the back side).

Assembly

Everything must be ready for assembling a structure with endless mirrors. Remains only:

1. Glue the frame rails to the mirror on its reflective side.
2. Fasten the inside of the RGB LED strip. To do this, simply plug the power cord through the pre-drilled holes.
3. Trim the mirror film to the width of the frame.
4. Apply adhesive or the same silicone sealant along the edge of the frame structure and put glass on top with a mirror film (reflective surface inward).

After that, you need to decide how to make the ends invisible. They can simply be painted over or covered with a U-shaped profile, which can be fixed with sealant. Alternatively, a plastic cable duct (without a cover) can be used.

LED strip connection

A traditional lamp with the effect of an endless mirror provides for the location of the LED strip around the perimeter of the frame, but it can be beaten in a slightly different way. Using LEDs, you can not only portray some geometric shapes, but also whole words. To do this, an additional construction of rails is glued to the mirror together with the frame.

If a self-adhesive tape was purchased, then fixing it will not be difficult. If it does not stick, then it is fixed along the inner perimeter of the frame using a conventional adhesive composition. As for connecting LEDs, there are always two options. If color effects are needed, the bulbs are connected via controllers. If you connect the RGB-lamp directly to the power supply, it will shine in white.

Video

Watch the video: How to Make a POV Display Persistence of Vision. Arduino Electronics Project (November 2024).