Wall Clock

thingiverse

Through popular request by Reddit, this is the clock I built and designed from scratch. The original plan was to use a stepper motor and have it controlled by Alexa, so users could simply say, "Hey Alexa, change the time to GMT" or similar commands, but I ran out of time and have moved on to other projects that take priority. I need to find my Arduino source code for the stepper motor drive, but it's not overly complicated if you want to work on it. The center wheel is the key here; your drive gear should be exactly half the teeth of the seconds hand. Set your stepper motor to spin twice in one minute, and while programming in time setting will require some effort. I have printed the clock, and it works just fine. However, I have a few notes/fixes that would be beneficial: 1. The supports for the middle gears tend to come loose since they're not securely fastened down; I would recommend adding a cap with a screw in both towers. 2. Size issues are present; I made all spinning surfaces a bit too tight, so it's best to take some sandpaper to the gear holes to make them spin freely, or increase the size of the STL holes. 3. To keep the gears in place, I purchased external retaining rings (Part 97633A170 from McMaster Carr). 4. The biggest problem with this project was that I originally intended to have a servo pick up the small carrier gear and lift it to minutes to save time when changing time zones, but this approach didn't work out. A better idea would be to pursue steady drive or make the middle gear a travel gear and lock it in place. 5. The 2-piece gear should be pressed together with mild sanding; glue also works well. 6. Please note that the final clock movement is intended for assembly help only, so don't attempt to print it – it will likely end poorly. It also includes the Mk1 motor mount, which was designed for my stepper motor but may need to be redesigned for your specific motor. The Arduino setup is standard size with a standard stepper motor controller. As I mentioned earlier, I've moved on to other projects, and I hope someone can take a look at this design and make something of it. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask here.