Word Clock

Word Clock gadget

Overview

In early 2020 I took an instructor-led course that encouraged us to use a variety of equipment and materials in the makerspace by completing a hands-on project. The project was to create a functioning clock that would tell time by lighting up phrases such as "It is now a quarter to seven." The instructor provided some SVG templates, CAD modules, and boilerplate code, but each student's clock was a different size, shape, and layout. I chose the largest picture frame (12 inches) and designed a circular layout that included additional information such as the day of the week.

Functioning word clock showing the transition from 2:32pm to 2:33pm on a Tuesday afternoon. The clock gets the current time from the internet, requiring a Wi-fi connection.

Interior diagram of the word clock, courtesy of the course instructor. From top to bottom: picture frame; picture frame glass painted and laser-etched with the clock layout; 3d printed light baffle; LED neopixel grid and ESP32 chip attached to a chipboard backing; picture frame backing.

Custom layout of clock lettering. The clock supports phrases such as "It is around five minutes after twelve Wednesday night" or "It is around a quarter past twelve Wednesday night."

Design

Inkscape
OpenSCAD

Equipment

Paint brush
Laser cutter
3D printer
Soldering iron

Materials

Picture frame: thick frame, glass, foam spacer, backing
Black paint
PLA
Chipboard, plywood
Adhesives and fasteners: tape, glue, screws
Wiring: insulated wires, solder, heatshrink tubing, capacitor
Electonics: LED neopixels, ESP32 chip, level shifter, power source

Outsourcing

Resources provided by the course instructor:
- SVG template for clock lettering layout.
- CAD modules for light baffle model.
- SVG template for neopixel grid layout.
- Python boilerplate for ESP32 chip program.
Exact size, layout, and execution varied per student.

Overview

Design

Equipment

Materials

Outsourcing

Assets