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Project Specific

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

SAO Infinity Mirror

An infinity mirror Supercon Add-On (SAO) badge featuring LEDs, laser-cut two-way acrylic mirrors, and a 3D printed bezel.

Originally published on Hackaday.io

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

10pcs - 220 ohm 1/4 W Resistor Set Rs. 39.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

This list includes a generic resistor set as a placeholder — it is not matched to the exact value or part number this circuit needs. The correct one is specified on the original source page linked above; check it before buying.

We don't carry yet: Keypad (Matrix)
Header Pins / Terminals / Connectors
3D Printed Parts / Filament / Printer
Custom PCB / PCB Fab
Back Mirror 0.040" inch thick

Browse all components

How It Works

The SAO Infinity Mirror is a compact, wearable visual display designed to interface with a badge via a standard SAO connector, which provides power to the circuit. At the heart of the electrical design are 18 white LED diodes arranged to illuminate an optical cavity. Current regulation is handled by a single 430-ohm resistor, ensuring that the forward current through the series-parallel LED configuration remains within safe operating limits when connected to the power source. Structurally, the system sandwiches these light-emitting diodes between a custom printed circuit board (PCB), a laser-cut back mirror, and a specialized two-way front mirror held securely in place by a custom 3D-printed bezel. When the white LEDs are powered on, their light repeatedly reflects back and forth between the highly reflective back mirror and the semi-reflective two-way mirror. This optical recursion creates the classic illusion of an endless tunnel of glowing lights fading into the distance, despite the assembly having a very shallow physical depth.

Why Build This

Design and fabricate custom wearable conference badge accessories for professional networking events.

Explore optical illusions and depth perception using physical mirrors and discrete LED layouts.

Integrate mechanical 3D-printed structures with custom PCB hardware and electronic components.

Real-World Application

Wearable conference badge accessories, novelty light displays, and interactive wearable electronics.

Skills You'll Learn

PCB layout and design

optical alignment

3D modeling with OpenSCAD

electronic schematic design in KiCad

basic current-limiting resistor calculations

Safety Precautions

Flagged during content review — not in the original source

This project involves handling bare electronic components, rigid circuit boards, and thin laser-cut acrylic mirrors which can have sharp edges; exercise caution during assembly to avoid minor cuts or eye strain when working closely with bright white LEDs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an SAO connector and how does it connect?

An SAO (Simple Add-On) connector is a standardized interface found on modern electronic convention badges that supplies power and sometimes data signals to modular accessories like this infinity mirror.

Can I modify the 3D printed bezel or PCB design?

Yes, the project utilizes OpenSCAD for the 3D-printed bezel and KiCad for the custom PCB, allowing you to open and modify the source files to fit your exact specifications.

Why is a 430-ohm resistor included in the circuit?

The 430-ohm resistor limits the amount of electrical current flowing through the 18 white LED diodes, preventing them from burning out due to excessive current from the power supply.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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