This results in plenty of interrupt handlers, flags, and callbacks across the code, which makes for some good fun. The stepping is handled with a timer interrupt, but because the LPC845 doesn’t have enough timer channels, all of the functionality is done within a single channel.
ANALOG CLOCKS SOFTWARE
The software controlling the motors is written in C, with boards running FreeRTOS.
ANALOG CLOCKS DRIVER
The master is also able to communicate with the host PC over USB to maintain RTC time.ĭuring the software development phase, made use of the SEGGER J-Link EDU mini CLI for keeping track of information about the driver and each individual stepper motor. A master coordinates all of the clocks using the bus, providing a command line interface. Neodymium magnets and hall effect sensors are used for tracking the position of the hands as the clocks move, with the magnets embedded into the clock hands.Īs for communication, rather than use the common I2C protocol, the more robust RS-485 was selected. Apart from the X12.017 driver silently driving the motors, the stepper motors also conveniently only need a ‘direction’ and ‘step’ pin, reducing the pin count needed for the microcontroller. The ‘stepper’ part of the stepper clock uses a 360 degree version of the VID28 stepper motor to reduce the height of the design and the cost of the project. The arrangement fixes the distance between clocks, though also made the clock size slightly smaller to compensate. While having one board per clock would be easier to implement, decided to use one board per four clocks arranged in rows to save on costs. The meta-clock resides in a laser cut enclosure, with 3D printed hands telling the time.
ANALOG CLOCKS FULL
The stepper clock is controlled by a network of LPC microcontrollers, displaying the time and room temperature, as well as several aesthetically pleasing loading animations.Įach clock operates from a 5 V USB power bank drawing less than 2 A for the full 24-clock setup. Have any last-minute projects you finished just before the end of the decade? To help pass the time, decided to build a meta digital clock made up of 24 individual analog clocks, the perfect item to help welcome in the new year. If you’d like to build some more vintage inspired instrumentation, have you covered with a Classy Weather Display or a Plant Moisture Gauge.Ĭontinue reading “Vintage Meters Reborn As Steam Punk Clock” → Posted in clock hacks Tagged analog clock, analog gauge, steam punk, vintage meter A piece of oak plank, surrounded by a metal angled frame, is used as a base for mounting the two meters so that the clock can be hung up on the wall. A pair of seven segment displays are connected to the Arduino to make it easier to set the time. Precision time signals are derived from a DS3231 RTC module connected to an Arduino. Two additional buttons provide a convenient interface to adjust the time. The set screw which was once used to align the pointer with the zero mark on the dial is now used to activate a micro switch that enables daylight savings time. To retain some of the original charm, the new dials have discoloration and blemishes replicated from the old dials.
Fresh dials are prepared to replace the original ampere markings with hours and minutes.
The original moving-coil movements are discarded, and the pointer is attached to a servo which will act as the new movement. A small cam is used to engage the DST switch.Īs you might expect, the conversion process is reminiscent of their previous projects.
The Drake & Gorham (London) meters going under the knife appear similar to vintage hardware from just after the end of World War II, such as this Ferranti Ammeter found at the Science Museum Group, making them at least 75 years old. Rinder the angle grinder, Weldy the welder, Sharp Eye the marker, rounded up by Sandy the Sander and Jiggy Saw. TS the table saw and his trusty band of clamps, G.
ANALOG CLOCKS MAC
The real heroes of the story are their trusty tools – Mac X the knife, Mr. , purveyors of comic strips “where tools are heroes”, have saved another pair of old, vintage, analog meters from the junkyard by converting them into a Meter Clock.
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