{"data":{"model":{"id":"171348","slug":"mechanical-7-segment-digital-clock","name":"Mechanical 7-segment digital clock","authorship":"author","club":false,"excludeCommercialUsage":false,"price":null,"eduProject":null,"ratingAvg":"0E-10","myRating":null,"ratingCount":0,"description":"\n\n\n

Mechanical 7-segment digital clock with 23 segments, controlled by only one RC servo motor. Not only all segments but also carries between digits are mechanically resolved.

display size (size of the front panel) : 23cm x 10cm
digit size : 8 x 4cm (the area of center line of each digit)

It consists of 54 types, 115 parts printable with common 3D printers. You also need

1 RC servo motor (normal, full size servo. I used Sanwa SRM-102Z)
1 micro:bit and 5V power supply (break-out board, etc.)
7 rubber bands
19 M3 bolts
paint (ex. white paint for black 3D printer material)

Necessary tools

sand paper or file for deburring
soldering iron for welding plastic
M3 Screw tap (if you do not use tapping screw)
Silicone grease or spray for lubrication

Tips

all parts can be printed out without supports.
for smooth operation, deburring and lubrication is very important.
A few cases of breaking rothook.stl (ratchet hook) during the daily use are reported. To solve this problem, print the rothook.stl with a bit larger scale (ex. 103%). It will also solve the problem of very heavy load and loud noise of ratchet.

Update 2020/12/6

Single digit unit is released. It is easier to make and good for a trial. The video of that one includes a guide of assembly, so please check it out.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4676614

Update 2021/10/31

Improved single digit unit is released. Number of the parts is much reduced. It does not use rubber bands and requires very small force to drive.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5066794

Note

This 7-segment cam mechanism is invented by Peter Lehn\u00e9r, \nhttps://t.co/R4ZO4ZHFVy\nhttps://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3351710

Custom Section

\n\n\n

\nAssembly guide\n==============\n

I recommend plastic welding using soldering iron, because it is fast and secure. It is also possible to disassemble by melting the weld part.

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Mechanical 7-segment digital clock

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