Simple Arduino Based POV Display
π Overview
Using persistence of vision, a single fast-spinning LED bar can write text and patterns in mid-air: a motor spins the LED array and the Arduino lights the right LEDs according to the shaft angle.
The project covers a home-made PCB, soldering the LED array, rotation sync, and font data - and when it is done you own a physical effects machine.
π§° What you need
- Arduino board (a small one such as a Nano suits this best)
- Assorted LEDs (single or multi-colour)
- DC motor + slip ring/brushes (or wireless power)
- 3D-printed rotating mount (STLs provided by the author)
- PCB (fabrication files provided by the author)
- Hall sensor / IR photo-interrupter pair (rotation sync)
π§ Step by step
Where it came from
The author was inspired by classic POV projects and built a simpler version
Understand the principle: rotation plus timed lighting equals an image in the air
Gather the parts
The number of LEDs sets the resolution; 8-16 is enough for text
Power is the hard part: use a slip ring, or a battery with a wireless switch, on the rotating body
Make the PCB
Fab the board from the author's files with the LEDs in a row
Leave mounting holes for the motor shaft
Solder it
Solder the LEDs, current-limiting resistors, and the Arduino one by one
Test statically first to confirm every LED lights
Write the code
The firmware reads rotation speed in an interrupt and lights LED columns by angle
Font data: convert characters or patterns into a column-by-column table
Spin it up
Run the motor and see whether the text forms and whether it flickers
Unstable speed distorts the image, so fine-tune from there
Wrap-up
Next steps: multi-colour fades, graphics, and double-sided POV
A very cool project that combines physics and programming
π‘ Tips
- 10-20 revolutions per second works well; slower than that and the text flickers
- Do not skip the LED current-limiting resistors or the LEDs will burn out over time
- Balance the rotating assembly and add counterweights to cut vibration and noise