Engineering
Pixels dice are made in a way unlike any other factory or handmade dice on the market. Through a multi-step process combining many different pieces, we are able to create something entirely new.
With an incredibly complex construction, each die contains four main layers.
At the center of the caddy sits the rechargeable battery which is soldered to the circuit board that wraps around the caddy. The caddy acts as a skeleton, providing a stable shape for the circuit board to position against.
With caddy, circuit board, and battery combined, this inner core gets cast in resin providing a layer about 1mm thick.
The caddy, circuit board, inner core, and outer layer combine to make a fully finished epoxy resin die that feels like any other resin dice on the market. Though the measurements are slightly oversized, Pixels Dice with their lights off are virtually indistinguishable from any other dice.
Creating something that would blend seamlessly with the rest of your collection was key; they should feel comfortable and familiar to use without any clunky sizes or pieces that separate.
Diagram of Pixels Dice Assembly
Extensive design work created an end result that utilizes identical pieces for some dice types, streamlining the assembly process.
– Battery: identical across all dice types, the battery sits inside the caddy.
– Caddy: creating the internal structure of all dice types, the caddy holds the battery in place and provides a stable shape for the circuit board. Unique caddies are used for the d20, d12, and d8. One caddy design can be used for the d00 and d10 dice, another caddy design is used for the numbered d6, d4, fudge, and pipped d6.
– Circuit Board: made of a paper-thin flexible material, the circuit board holds everything that makes Pixels Dice what they are; with LEDs, a Bluetooth antenna, accelerometer, microcontroller, hall effect sensor, and various other electronic components.
– Inner Layer: the first layer of resin is cast in a dice shape with no numbers and oddly-shaped faces. When used in dice that have an opaque outer layer, these oddly-shaped faces help sculpt the light from each LED to shine evenly throughout the numbers, symbols, or pips. This layer is cast in a clear or semi-translucent white resin.
– Outer Layer: the second layer of resin looks more like traditional dice shapes with finished edges and numbers. this layer will determine the opacity and colorway for each die, creating the final look.
