Building a digital clock is usually a fairly basic DIY project, but the good news is that it doesn't have to stay "stuck" in that category. Its creative potential is huge, as are the possibilities for expansion. With that in mind, we head over to Instructables, where user 'enguyen021' shared his work on a hybrid "digital-mechanical" clock based on steel balls, magnets, and just the right amount of Arduino inside.
Clocks are among our oldest creations, and yet they've managed to incorporate new elements, gain precision, and evolve. From cheap Chinese clones to personal planetariums that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, it's not far-fetched to think that a clock can behave like a canvas, waiting for an artist to pour their talent onto its surface.
Mechanical, digital, or both at once? If you were to build a clock, where would you start? What would your ideal clock be like? I admit it might not be easy to answer, but nothing stops you from looking for inspiration, something different. A great example is the digital-mechanical clock built by Instructables user 'enguyen021', who recently joined the platform and is taking part in the 'Make It Move' contest, which awards the winner with a $500 Amazon gift card.
The Mechanics
The clock is based on four seven-segment digits, "created" with a combination of magnets and quarter-inch steel balls. Each segment corresponds to a servo, so it needs 14 for the hours and 14 for the minutes, plus one for the colon, four that lift the mechanism, and two responsible for rotation (these are special, much more resistant than the average SG90). All servos are connected to a pair of PCA9685 controllers, and timekeeping is handled by a DS3231 module, along with an Arduino Nano.
Regarding materials, 'enguyen021' used wood and acrylic, and recommends maintaining some consistency so that the cuts aren't too complicated. Unfortunately, the guide doesn't provide details about the code, since it initially serves as a presentation for the contest, but it does confirm that he added a touch sensor, which allows switching between 12-hour and 24-hour formats.
His original design dropped the balls when changing the hour, but in the end he didn't go down that path. One of the clock's disadvantages is the noise (which isn't that loud in the final build), and the rumble of more than a hundred metal balls per minute would be a torture. Apart from that, it works wonderfully, and it's a strong candidate to take first prize. If you decide to replicate it, we'd love to see it.
Access the project: Click here
https://old.neoteo.com/la-diferencia-reloj-5-000-dolares-85-000/
