Motto: in Verbis Domus. . . (
Power in words)
There are many other Word Clock projects in instructures and elsewhere on the Internet, so it\'s hard to choose just one project as a source of inspiration because each project gives me useful ideas.
But if I had to choose one, it would be a start to all projects, this beautiful project created by Doug Jackson, presented on Wikifab.
Also, I have to mention two items from here, namely: design and 3D print RGB word clock. A.
Whitlock\'s Ikea RIBA text clock has also had a big impact on my project.
Any future design is hard to bring something new, but hopefully my project will catch your attention with fresh and cool ideas.
What are the advantages of my project?
The idea behind this word clock is to have all the necessary words to tell the time and put these words in the layout of the 8x8 letters, just like the word search puzzle.
In this way, we can display the time in minutes with a small amount of LEDs.
Because the words are placed randomly, you can judge the time by reading the flashing words one by one (
The words are already displayed on the clock face).
I started with only one color, red, and a green 8x8 Matrix led array.
You can see how my first clock works. . .
I also posted an app that you can download from Google Play Puzzle WordClock.
Sadly, when using the max719
led driver and the ESP12 module of the ESP8266 micro-controller, the electronics are a bit complicated, the wiring is cumbersome and error-prone.
But with the appearance of the WS2812 RGB Led matrix, things get easier (and cheaper . . . ).
The schematic diagram is very simple. esp12 board is not required, ESP-
01 module can be used.
The flashing words are also missing, and I use the color change to emphasize the words that say the time (
It is a big deal to use many colors).
So I restarted the project with a new look and new electronics to see the renderings above and I want to make this new word clock look like that.
If you find my project interesting and useful, please take the time to vote for it in the mix contest. Parts. . .
Wooden photo frames you can make your own photo frames, and there are even a dozen articles about this on instructures.
But a simpler solution would be to find a framework company where you can order personalized frames with the required size and you can choose from multiple frame types.
That\'s what I did.
I ordered a frame of a specific size: frame photo, in my case object (display)is 80x80mm.
I also ask for the exact size and I don\'t want the frame to be too big for the plastic mesh for 3D printing.
Plexiglass holders can also be made DIY, but it\'s not easy for amateurs to cut and mix plexiglass.
So I ordered a few brackets from an advertising company that produces a variety of plexiglass objects.
The size I use is: width-
120mm, part 1 length-
Part 2 length: 180mm
Bending angle 15 °, 50mm.
The 3mm gray smoked plexiglass sheet can be cut from a larger sheet to obtain the required 80x80mm size.
The STL file for plastic grid 3D printing can be downloaded from the paper printed by TinkercadDisplay. SVG files for printed paper are attached and can be edited with Inkscape.
You can make your own display layout based on this SVG file, I used the Word Search build kit software to generate a Word layout for the time display.
You can print the file repeatedly on the same piece of paper to get a good opaque black background.
I got very good results with cheap inkjet printers and standard white copiers paper.
I cut the layout with scissors.
The files you can 3d print are also on Tinkercad.
I used some jewelry boxes that have been purchased and since the boxes are too high, I designed only a new box base.
The files on Tinkercad are based on this type of box.
Detailed description (
Follow the picture above)
The last two pictures show an almost finished shell. Parts. . . ESP-
01 cheap multi-functional micro controller module with WiFi function, if you don\'t know about it, please read the good instructions provided by TonesB ESP8266 WiFi module for Dummies. 3.
Stabilizer Module for ESP-3v
01 need to use 3 power supply.
3 v, I\'m using the 4pin module here.
Led matrix 64led rgb matrix with ws82 12 IC you can read more about getting started with NeoPixel/WS2812 RGB Led with open green energy.
3 needle and connector I use this connector as it allows easy assembly-
Disassembly of the housing.
DC connector and DC power supply. The power supply is 5v and 1.
5A Max, this is enough because not all LEDs are lit in full light and full white.
Also, I chose a separate DC connector because it was simple to replace the defective power supply. Schematics -
Very simple, made with Fritzing, see above.
There are several methods for ESP programming-
01 board, please have a look if you would like to find more information and read the instructions, for example: my ESP-flashing method
01 adapter with pl230 3 chip is being used (
USB to serial converter)
Esp 8266 Esp-is also described in this description-
01 with Arduino IDE (
Master electronics).
Also, to simplify programming, I used a breadboard adapter like this and connected it to a USB to serial converter.
You can see the wiring between the two modules in the picture: 3. 3v-RED, Ground-
Black, RX from converter to TX on adapter-
Purple TX-from converter to RX on adapter-GREY.
I welded a switch on the adapter (PROG)
Between the GPIO0 and GND pins and switches (RESET)
Between pins and GND pins.
Step by step instructions: ESP-programming
01 the circuit board can be made before soldering any wire to the module (see step 2 -
Electronic products)
However, welding can also be done when the welding has been completed (
Everything assembled in an electronic box).
In this case, remove the red line between the converter and the adapter (Very important! ! ! )
Because you will use 3.
3 v from Stabilizer Module instead of USB to serial converter (see image).
Flash ESP correctly-after
01 module, start the clock.
On the display you will see the animation shown in the following figure.
You will find a new WiFi access point called VERBIS and serial on your phone (
A bunch of numbers).
You can connect to this access point without a password, open the browser (
Chrome is preferred)
Then go to page. (When the ESP-
01 in access point mode, it will always have IP 192. 168. 4.
1 This IP is hard wired in the firmware of the micro controller).
Now you will see the main menu of word clock.
Go to the network configuration submenu and wait for the search to be completed for the surrounding router.
Select the name of the router from the list (
\"Mi\" router in my case)
, The name will be copied to the sid text box, enter the password and press the save button.
Wait a bit and try to reconnect to the clock on the same IP (192. 168. 4. 1).
Select network information, where you can find the IP obtained by the clock.
Restart the clock (
Plug-in power adapter)
You will see a pattern on the display as shown in the following figure.
The clock is trying to connect to the router and ntp server.
If there is a connection to the ntp server, the internal time of word clock will be synchronized with the NTP server, and the corresponding words will appear on the display.
The mode will continue to display if there is no connection.
The clock will try to reconnect to the NTP server every minute until the connection is successful.
If there is no router, you can access the manual time settings submenu and enter the time in the corresponding text box.
Also, if the clock is connected to the router but is not connected to the ntp server, the time can be set using this submenu until the time is synchronized.
In this case, when connected to an ntp server, the time will be automatically synchronized in the background.
The \"Ntp settings\" submenu option is very explanatory and I don\'t have much to say about it. . .
If you access the display settings submenu, you can change the two colors that occur when the transition occurs when the word is displayed.
Also, if the word \"yes\" is displayed or not displayed at the beginning of the time telling, you can change. What\'s next?
An alternative shell can be made using a wide wood photo frame, and you can see the rendering and the actual image above.
The 15 ° tilt is made of a small plexiglass stand.
By using the WS2812 rgb led controller module, the electronic equipment can be greatly simplified (
In the image of the wide frame, the clock is made with such a module).
The box used in this case is also on Thinkercad.
Of course, you need an ESP-
01 module of this method.
If you can use the laser cutting machine, you can make the paper by laser cutting the black paper, in this case, please use the template font.
You can also make the VERBIS word clock in other languages.
I made the letter layout and programming for German, Hungarian and Romanian.
Change the language of the first line of the source code (
Clock, clock or clock).
A printable layout is also attached.
But why stop here?
Print a piece of paper (
Empty list in the above figure)
You can make a digital clock, very similar to this complete binary clock;
You can make a Fibonacci clock like a Fibonacci clock, or you can make a digital clock (
Alternating colors with hours and minutes, similar to the VERBIS word clock).
In the LED matrix, the amazing binary clock of this very cute clock is also worth a try.
Of course, you need to modify ESP-
01 firmware, but I don\'t think it\'s hard if you already have a template that you can rely on.
But with this cheap and easy-to-build design, many other projects are possible.
