Need to know what time it is, but don’t own a phone, computer, microwave, or any of the other 100 clocks you probably already have? How about a huge mahogany digital clock to prove your geek prowess?
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Step #1:
Next
- Get some wood. I chose mahogany.
- Create a template for your 7-segment digit.
Step #2:
Next
- Use a scroll saw to cut the LED segments out of the wood.
- Use a plunge router to hollow out the back side of the wood.
- Stain the top side of the wood. I used a satin poly.
Step #3:
Next
- Connect the digits together using brass tubes and super glue.
Step #4:
Next
- Get some plexiglass and cut pieces to the shape of the LED segments. (I used the scroll saw for this.)
Step #5:
Next
- Get a few LEDs (I used blue 5mm).
- Drill holes in the edge of the plexiglass.
- Super-glue the LEDs into the holes.
Step #6:
Next
- Paint the back and edges of the LED segments with metallic paint.
- Sand the front of the LED segments. The scratches will diffuse the light.
- Apply some voltage.
Step #7:
Next
- Take 2 thin sheets of plexiglass and sandwich rice paper between them.
- Hot-glue the LED segments to the plexiglass.
- Solder wires to all of the LEDs.
- Hot-glue the plexiglass to the inside of the digits.
- Connect each of the LED segments to a ULN2003A, and a 74HC595 chip. See the schematic. I also added a 220ohm resistor per LED.
Step #8:
- Connect the chips to an Arduino and use the time library to "ShiftOut" the time to the 74HC595s.
- Stand back (way back) and check the time.
- Put it up on your cubicle for all your fellow drones to admire!
great idea!
well done . in step #7 the thin plexi glass sheets and rice paper are used for what purpose???
This is an astonishing idea! I plan to use this project for a robotics club this summer. Can I get a better schematic for the integrated circuits to the LEDs? I am having trouble understanding the connections.
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