Alchemist’s Magic Lantern

✨ The Alchemist's Magic Lantern.

Enter an alchemist's laboratory. This is no ordinary lamp; it's a magic lantern that responds to the energy of crystals. By swapping the crystals at its base, the light instantly transforms, channeling the essence of various mystical forces.

 

How does the modern creator replicate this ancient artifact? Thanks to a hidden "arcane core," powered by NFC technology and an ESP32. This is the perfect project to combine 3D printing, programming, and DIY fun, creating a truly magical interactive object.

 

 

🛠️ Required Materials

To build this project, you will need the following components:

• Board: ESP32 (30-pin version)

• LED Module: HW-479 RGB SMD LED

• NFC Module: RFID-RC522 Reader

• NFC Tags: Adhesive tags (NTAG compatible)

• Hardware: M2.5x5 machine screws (SHCS)

• Inserts: M2.5x4x4 brass threaded inserts

• Extras: Jumper wires (Dupont), a soldering iron (for the inserts), and cable ties (optional but recommended).

• Software: "NFC Tools" smartphone app (or similar) to write the tags.

 

🔌 Wiring Diagram

Before assembling everything, I recommend connecting the components with jumper wires to perform a test. Here is the wiring scheme for the ESP32:

═════════════

PIN CONNECTIONS

═══════════════════

RC522 MODULE → ESP32 PIN 

───────────────────

SDA → GPIO 21

SCK → GPIO 18

MOSI → GPIO 23

MISO → GPIO 19

IRQ → Not Connected

GND → GND

RST → GPIO 22

3.3V → 3.3V

────────────────────

HW-479 RGB LED → ESP32 PIN

──────────────────── 

R (Red) → GPIO 25 

G (Green) → GPIO 26 

B (Blue) → GPIO 27 

- (GND) → GND

 

 

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: The Magic Crystal

Print the 3D file for the crystal provided in the project. Once ready, apply the adhesive NFC tag inside the designated space within the crystal.

 

 

Step 2: Writing the Color to the NFC Tag

To give the crystal its color, use the "NFC Tools" app on your smartphone:

1. Open the app and go to Write ➔ Add record ➔ Text.

2. Enter the hex code of the desired color (e.g., #FFFFFF for white, #FF0000 for red). Remember to include the # symbol!

3. Click "Write" and hold your smartphone close to the crystal. (Note: If writing fails, go to the "Other" menu in the app and format the NFC tag before trying again).

 

Step 3: Uploading the Code

Download the code attached to the project and upload it to your ESP32 board using the Arduino IDE. 

⚠️ Attention: Make sure you have installed the MFRC522 library via the Arduino Library Manager.

Intermediate Test: Now, bring the crystal close to the NFC reader. If the LED lights up in the exact color you programmed, everything is working perfectly! Let’s move on to assembly.

 

Step 4: Assembly

Use a hot soldering iron to press the brass threaded inserts (M2.5x4x4) into the pre-designed cylinders in the 3D-printed base. 

⚠️Attention: Try to insert them perfectly perpendicular; otherwise, you will have a hard time tightening the screws later.

 

Step 5: Closing and Cable Management

Place the electronic boards inside the case. If available, use small cable ties to group the wires and keep everything tidy. Close the box by securing it with the M2.5x5 screws.

 

Step 6: Final Touches and Aesthetic Assembly

Complete your creation by placing the upper part of the lantern and attaching the decorative elements with a bit of glue. I designed these components specifically to be printed separately and then glued: this way, you don't need a multi-color system (like AMS), saving you a lot of time and, above all, avoiding unnecessary filament waste!

 

✨ Finished! Your Magic Lantern is now ready to come to life and change color every time you insert a different crystal.

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