When MakerWorld announced the S-Shape LED Strip KitChallenge, I wanted to create something that would use lighting to present a model rather than become the model itself.
One of the biggest challenges was developing the rotating platform. I experimented with several concepts, including printed bearings and Lazy Susan style mechanisms. While these worked, they generated more friction and noise than I wanted. The final design uses ball bearings and stainless steel dowel pins. Early prototypes used bearings that were too small and positioned too close to the center, reducing stability. The final version uses larger bearings placed further outward, resulting in a very stable platform that rotates smoothly with minimal friction.
Printed gears - 4 small bearings and finally the setup with 3 larger bearings
Final drive system with large bearings for smooth rotation
I also tested multiple drive solutions before selecting a 030 micro motor with a 1:48 reduction gear kit. To achieve a slow and smooth rotation speed, I designed a custom gear train using a 12-tooth pinion and a 124-tooth main gear.
Another challenge was the lighting itself. I wanted the LEDs to be visible through the structure without exposing the individual light points. After several iterations, I settled on a hexagonal diffuser pattern in the LED arch and custom diffuser grids in the truss towers and along the stage edges. These create a much softer and more uniform lighting effect while preserving the stage-inspired look of the design.
Top Diffuser
Like many engineering projects, the final design is the result of many iterations. Nearly every major component was printed, tested, adjusted and printed again. The rotating platform, gear train, truss structures and diffuser system all went through multiple prototype versions before reaching the final design. Looking back at the collection of test parts and discarded prototypes, it is clear that the finished model represents far more than a single print—it is the result of many design decisions, experiments and refinements along the way.
The result of many design iterations
During development, the S-Shape LED Strip was routed through numerous bends and twists and was assembled and disassembled multiple times as the design evolved. I was impressed by how well the strip handled this process. Despite repeated adjustments and tight routing through the trusses and arch, it remained fully functional throughout development — good thing too, because I only had one LED strip to work with.
The result is ShowStage360: a compact RGB display stage designed to showcase collectibles, miniatures and 3D prints.
Thank you to MakerWorld for selecting and supporting this project.
It was a lot of fun to design, and I hope you enjoy the final result.
Feedback and suggestions are always welcome!
