I often begin these articles with an introduction that gives some context, however you don’t want that to understand this “Shadow Show” clock. It’s merely an electromechanical clock that appears actually cool.
That is the work of Good Options For Dwelling, which is a web site that has a careless identify and plenty of neat tasks. A kind of tasks is a WiFi-connected electromechanical seven-segment show and it additionally seems actually cool. The Shadow Show is a spin-off of that designed particularly for use as a clock. And its minimalist monochromatic aesthetic will enchantment to lots of people who take into account maximalism to be a travesty.
That is an open supply challenge, however the full construct tutorial isn’t but accessible. Nevertheless, it’s basically the identical because the aforementioned seven-segment show and that does have an entire tutorial.
The mind of the Shadow Show is an ESP32-WROOM-32 microcontroller. Different ESP32 fashions would most likely additionally work in the event that they’re pin-compatible, however it’s best to make use of the ESP32-WROOM-32 to keep away from potential compilation errors. That goes on a customized PCB and, importantly, every digit of the clock wants its personal PCB — although each PCB after the primary “major board” is an “extension board” and doesn’t require an ESP32.
These PCBs have the {hardware} (particularly shift registers and H-bridges) for driving the electromagnets that actuate the segments. There’s one electromagnet for every of the seven segments for every of the digits.
The mechanics of the Shadow Show are what set it aside from the older seven-segment show. The seven-segment show had flipping segments, however the Shadow Show has segments that transfer out and in on arms which can be interested in the electromagnets when energetic. That’s the place the “shadow” half is available in: the protruding segments forged shadows and that’s what makes them seen. Many of the bodily components may be 3D-printed, however the faceplate can be laser-cut.
You’ll want a programming adapter to flash your ESP32, however afterwards you should use the offered firmware. That’s fairly nifty and offers you an internet interface for establishing the clock performance. That even has a stay graphical view exhibiting the segments, which is absolutely polished.
