Display your OpenROV Trident with Pride!

OpenROV Trident is an incredible machine. This low-cost underwater drone opens up the potential for ocean exploration and allows anyone to launch their own expedition. But what do you do with this fantastic little robot when it's not in the water? Surely you can't just leave it in the closet to wait patiently for the next adventure?

Trident is an engineering masterpiece. Why not display it proudly on your wall?

This lasercut mounting frame fits the first generation OpenROV Trident and illuminates it with a fanciful, ocean-themed RGD backlight. Cut on a glowforge from 3 and 6mm acrylic, the frame pays homage to the original OpenROV 2.3 that started it all. Customize by etching the ROVs name and serial number onto the nameplate for a truly bespoke robotic experience.

Bill of Materials

• Glowforge.
• Arduino Uno.
• Charging Unit.
• 2000mAh Battery.
• Button Switch.
• 3.7 to 5V Step-up converter.
• LED Light Strip.
• M3 Screws
• 3mm frosted clear acrylic.
• 3mm white acrylic.
• 6mm blue acrylic.

Software

I used the FastLED ColorPalette program with the palette set to OceanColors_p.

Assembly

SVG file is color coded. Blue pieces should be cut from 6mm blue acrylic. Grey pieces should be cut from 3mm frosted clear acrylic. White pieces should be cut from 3mm white acrylic. Use the provided images to assemble pieces from the inside out. Attach all pieces with standard superglue. I recommend dry fitting all components before gluing. Review above images for reference.

• Begin by building the white inner frame box using the long white pieces with corner notches.
• Attach 6mm blue brackets to the edges of the inner frame with superglue.
• Seat frosted acrylic sheet into the inner frame, frosted side up, and secure with super glue. It should fit snuggly and rest on the bracket tips.
• Assemble front frame using M3 screws and nuts. Widest piece should go on the bottom. Glue to top of brackets.
• Glue floating white side pieces to the outer edge of the brackets. Side pieces will not extend the full length of the frame.
• Glue 6mm support shims underneath the case, below the mounting screw holes. This will help support the weight of the ROV.
• Glue LED strip mounts to the back to the frame according to the ; path you want to route the LEDs.
• Assemble the LED system: Connect the battery to the charging unit, connect the step-up converter to the charging unit with the switch in line. Use a multimeter to set the step-up converter to 5V. Connect the step-up converter to the Arduino. Connect the LED strip to the Arduino.
• Tuck the LED unit into the base of the frame and route the LED strip.
• Turn it on and marvel at the glory.
• Attached the Trident using the 6 top mounting points. Mount the 6mm blue mounting bar to the top row of mounting points. Using framing wire to hang the frame, with the weight born by the 6mm blue mounting bar.

SEE Initiative

Don't have an OpenROV Trident? Sign up for the SEE Initiative and let's have an adventure!

Patreon

To support more weird and wonderful projects like this, please check out my Patreon.