Dragon's Breath Light

Experience the sight of a mythological beast spitting flames of molten fire from its mouth on your desk. Featuring a glowing fire using a USB powered COB LED, a rocky base with rock button covers, and a realistic dragon model.

 

I experimented with many different shapes and print settings for the flame. The ripple texture diffuses the light across more evenly, and the wall thickness was chosen for a balance between clarity, strength, and print speed. The flame diffuses the light nicely from different angles, and the light glows from the centre to portray the hottest part of the flame. The electronics are also easily removable if you want to use them in another project. You can use transparent PETG or PLA for the flame, just make sure to enable the correct settings in bambu studio.

 

Assembly:

Electronics:

• 1x Power Distribution Board
• 1x COB LED strip light (200 mm)
• 1x Potentiometer Board with SH1.0 Connector
• 1x Self-Locking Button Switch
• 1x USB-A Power Cable with PH2.0 Connector
• 3x Wire Pair with SH1.0 (100 mm)
• 15x BT2x8mm screws

Tools:

• 1.5 mm Allen key (Included with bambu lab printer). Or electronic screwdriver with 1.5 mm hex end.
• Small blade or flat head screwdriver
• Glue

Step 1: For the base, use snippers to lift out the supports. 

 

Step 2: Pre-thread the 6 holes shown in the base cover. Then pre-thread the 4 holes in the bottom of the flame piece.

 

Step 3: Pull the USB cable wire through the hole in the base.

 

Step 4: Wire the following electronics into the board as shown.

 

Step 5: Before screwing down the press switch, put the end of the USB wire underneath it (at the red and black end piece). 

Next, screw the press switch down, but leave it a tiny bit loose to it can slightly rock side to side.

 

Step 6: Screw down the board. Then the dial switch. Be careful not to over-tighten screws or the threads will strip. Hook the cables under the cable loops to keep them out of the way.

Step 7: Now to add the flame to the base. Screw one screw up through the base, and leave it poking out the top about 1 mm. This makes it easier to locate the hole in the flame.

 

Step 8: This part is a bit fiddly. First line up the fire with the base. Then screw into the fire. Using an electronic screwdriver will make this easier. You might have to screw and unscrew a few times to make the fire sit on the base flat. Also push down on the fire while screwing.

 

Step 9: Screw the rest in one at a time. You might have to re-screw some of them again.

 

Step 10: Hold the model upside down and thread the LED strip through the hole. It should come out the end of the flame. The board should sit in the gap with the connector facing inwards.

 

Step 11: With one hand, hold the end of the LED cable. With the other, use an Allen key to push the LED into the notch. Then gently pull the led so it sits straight in the flame. 

Next, connect the remaining cable, being careful not to pull the led out of the notch.

 

Step 12: Remove the support inside the dial button cover using a knife, but be careful not to damage the piece inside. Then add the button covers to the correct switches. The dial button has an inside piece which needs to be lined up. 

Next, press the cover lid into the base. Holding the model upside down makes it easier. 

 

Step 13: Push the lid in all 4 corners so it snaps into place. It should not protrude from the base. If it does, its because the screw pieces on the inside of the base have lifted their plastic. You just need to make them flat again by shaving the top surface off with a knife.

 

Step 14: Carefully remove the dragon's supports, making sure not to cut its horns or spikes. Remove the body connector supports using a thin knife. 

The hole inside the wing which connects to the dragon will need some clean-up, to make sure the hole is square and not blocked.

 

Step 15: Using a tiny amount of glue, glue the body parts together using the body connectors. Do a test fit before gluing to see if the gap sits flush, as there might be leftover support material in the holes. 

Finally, glue the wings to the body. Make sure they are orientated as shown.

 

Step 16: Place the dragon's mouth over the top of the flame. It should rest on top. The extra LED wire sits in a small gap in the mouth.

Congratulations, you have completed the model!

 

Hope you enjoyed this one! Feel free to ask any questions.

 

Update 1 (27/08/2025): Changed support settings and fixed wing issue.

 

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