Light Up Roto Copter

TIME TO COMPLETE

Less than 30 min.

WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?

You will learn to build a simple circuit with copper tape and LEDs. You will also learn to carefully measure and cut to make your roto copter.

WHAT WILL YOU NEED?

Conductive Tape
Crafting Materials
Electronics
General Hand Tools
Other Materials
Paper
Tools
Upcycled / Recycled materials

STEP 1

Halve your sheet

Measure 4 1/4 inches in from the long side of your card stock at the top and bottom. Connect the dots with a line and then cut along that line to divide your sheet in half.

STEP 2

Another half

Measure 5 1/2 inches from the short edge of your sheet and draw a dashed line. Do not cut this line, dashed lines will be used for fold lines later.

STEP 3

Now quarters

Measure 2 1/8 inches from the long edge and draw a line from our last line to the top edge of the sheet.

STEP 4

Another line

Measure 2 inches down from the center line and draw a line across the short section again.

STEP 5

Two more

Measure in 1 1/2 inches on this new lower line and mark each spot. Erase the line between the two marks. Now draw a dashed line down to the bottom from each mark.

STEP 6

Cut the lines

Cut the three solid lines that now remain.

STEP 7

Fold it up

Fold the two lower flaps back along the dashed lines you drew. You should now have one thick center section on the bottom.

STEP 8

Trace the battery

Place the battery on the lower center section near the bottom and trace a circle around it. Move it up about a half inch and trace it again.

STEP 9

Mark and fold

Mark the bottom circle with a + and the top with a - to indicate how to place the battery later. Fold the paper up between the two circles, lining them up with each other, and press tightly to create a crisp fold.

STEP 10

Start adding tape

Measure 9 inches of copper tape and then run it from the center of your - battery circle up the right hand top strip.

STEP 11

Second strip

Measure 7 inches of copper tape and lay it down about 1/8 inch to the right of the first strip so it comes down to just below the cuts for the bottom flaps.

STEP 12

Tape to the side

Measure an inch of tape and tape it down so it connects to the right hand strip of tape and then comes further right onto the right hand lower flap.

STEP 13

Last tape

Measure 2 inches of tape to come down straight from the previous line. Now measure enough tape to connect that line to the center of the + circle at an angle.

STEP 14

Add LEDs

Take out your circuit stickers and find the + and - markings. Stick them so those markings line up with the strip of copper tape that connects to the same marked circle: + to +, - to -.

STEP 15

Fold and clamp

Fold the bottom two flaps back again to protect the strips of tape on the right hand flap. Place the battery on the circle, paying attention to the polarity of the battery, then fold the bottom of the flap back up, completing the circuit and clamping it in place with the binder clip.

STEP 16

Fold the top

Fold the two top flaps along the dashed line opposite of each other. This should be done without crimping them too hard. You are ready to fly! Toss it in the air (or better yet drop it from a stairwell!) to see it fly.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Try making the smallest Roto Copter you can. How small can they¬†get before they stop¬†working? Try without the electronics. Take a look at a maple tree seed pod, do you see any similarity?

Please Note

Your safety is your own responsibility, including proper use of equipment and safety gear, and determining whether you have adequate skill and experience. Power tools, electricity, and other resources used for these projects are dangerous, unless used properly and with adequate precautions, including safety gear and adult supervision. Some illustrative photos do not depict safety precautions or equipment, in order to show the project steps more clearly. Use of the instructions and suggestions found in Maker Camp is at your own risk. Maker Media, Inc., disclaims all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense.