A Fabulous Clock Built Like Domino Tiles (DIY)

Reinventing the clock might seem absurd to many, but nothing could be further from the truth. With a bit of creativity and enough resources, anyone can escape the classic hands and represent the passage of time in a different way. Today we came across the project by user 'Kothe', who created a clock inspired by domino tiles. All you need to reproduce it is a pack of LED lights, laser-cut fiber panels, a couple of 3D-printed pieces, and an Arduino Nano coordinating the action in the background.

Are you thinking about building something this weekend? Or perhaps continuing a project on hold? The pandemic has forced us to postpone many things, but if you have an idea to end that trend, welcome. Today at NeoTeo we're going to make a small suggestion, in the form of a clock. In early October we shared the construction of a clock based on magnets and metal balls that is shaping up to be one of the best DIY projects of the year, but it's a more demanding project than usual. In contrast, the idea by user 'Kothe' on Instructables can be modified on multiple levels without losing its appeal.

Domino clock with Arduino Nano

Kothe's clock is inspired by domino tiles, using their dots to tell the time. Behind each dot is a small RGB LED light, available in packs of 100 units through Amazon Spain for just 20 euros. In total, the project uses 42 LED lights, 14 for each domino tile. The 'brain' is an Arduino Nano (or compatible clone), and a TinyRTC module as a real-time clock (RTC).

The most complicated part (depending on availability) will surely be the laser cutting of the fiber panels (3 millimeters thick) to build the domino tiles. Personally, I think that whole set of pieces can be replaced with an equivalent intended for 3D printers, but the only thing Kothe offers in STL is the frame of the tiles, while the rest is distributed in DXF files. The guide also includes images with the wiring and the correct position of the LED lights. There's no need to read any diagram: The photos are very clear, and ideal for beginners in electronics.

The last phase focuses on loading the code onto the Arduino Nano. There are three available files: One to evaluate that the LED lights work well, the second is the code itself, and the third serves to modify the colors of the lights (don't forget they're RGB). The final result is excellent, but the most important thing is that nothing is carved in stone here. The size of the domino tiles, the type of LED lights, and even the power source can be altered. Don't hesitate to give it a try!

Official site: Click here