Introduction

Back in 2015, I did a hobby-project - a so-called "word clock". The front panel consists of a matrix of words, which are selectively highlighted to display the correct time. This very clock is up and running since. In 2019 I've decided to create a new version and to implement other languages. And here we are :)

Steps to follow

Refer the provided STEP model prior to printing or assembling the wordclock!

• Calibrate your 3D printer!
• Print frame and grid
• Snap them together
• Print 110 pcs of simplediffusor and snap them to grid
• Build and program the electronics
• Create the front panel (laser-cut or 3D print)¹
• Glue the front panel to the frame
• Print the back panel
• Glue the back panel to the frame

¹DXF files are not accepted by MyMiniFactory, so I've uploaded them to GitHub.

Arduino code and PCB design

Arduino code and the PCB design files are available at https://github.com/Balazzzska/OpenWordClock - currently, only an English version is available, Hungarian is being implemented. I look forward to implementing other languages, feel free to get in touch with me in case you want to collaborate. :)

Electronics BOM

• 1x PCB - see GitHub
• 110x 5mm LED (I regret using LTL2H3KEK, a wider angle LED would have been better)
• 1x Arduino Nano
• 3x 74HC595
• 10x 150Ω resistor
• 11x IRLML2502 (Any general-purpose N-Channel MOSFET should be OK)

To-do list

This project is unfinished from certain points of view

• The oscillator of the Arduino Nano is not quite accurate, therefore an external RTC is needed. Will have DS1903 implemented.
• The PCB design contains 2 push buttons, for time-setting purposes - as of now, these buttons are not used yet. (The time setting is done via serial communication)
• Other languages than English. Hungarian is a work-in-progress.