Hi makers,
We are proud to present our new project, “EPOXY RESIN LED CLOCK."
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We were accepted to a contest with this project. We need your votes to win our project. We would be very pleased if you could vote.
**Voting link: **https://goo.gl/ikgqoE
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Before you start, What is epoxy?
Epoxy resin is known for its strong adhesive qualities, making it a versatile product in many industries. It offers resistance to heat and chemical applications, making it an ideal product for anyone needing a strong hold under pressure. Epoxy resin is also a durable product which can be used with various materials, including: wood, fabric, glass, china or metal.
This project was a first. There's no other place. And now we have presented it to you. We had some epoxy. We thought what we could use it for. We did a little research and found that there wasn't an epoxy clock.
We have designed. We print. We combined it with RGB. and we have brought this unique project to you.This project also used the addressable WS2812B led. In order to show you that we used 60 LED in 1 meter for hours and 144 LED in 2 meters for minutes and seconds. Of course, arduino nano is our everything. It is a brain.
This project is divided into 3 parts. Parts;
1 - Materials and Electronic Design 2 - Making Epoxy 3 - Assemble and Showtime
And no more words. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome the “EPOXY RESIN LED CLOCK." If you want to make this "EPOXY RESIN LED CLOCK," you'll need some materials and 3D printer part files.
You can find all files below with links to download.
Project Perspective
The Epoxy Resin LED Clock is a sophisticated exploration of manufacturing technology and aesthetic interaction. By focusing on the essential building blocks—the Arduino platform and your high-clarity epoxy resin mold—you'll learn how to communicate and synchronize your daily time using specialized software logic and a robust artistic setup.
Technical Implementation: Time Sync and Pixel Mapping
The project reveals the hidden layers of simple time-to-light interaction:
- Identification & Synchronization Layer: The Arduino Nano acts as the high-resolution temporal brain. It receives precise time data from the DS3231 Real-Time Clock (RTC) module, ensuring accurate timekeeping even during a power loss. Time can be wirelessly set via the HC-05 Bluetooth Module using a custom Android application.
- Conversion & Control Layer: The system uses the Arduino's high-speed digital pin to send precisely timed data pulses to the addressable LED strips, coordinating the mission-critical lighting tasks.
- Visual Interface Layer: The WS2812B LED Strips provide high-resolution visual feedback. In this design, a 60-LED strip (1 meter) represents the hours, while a 144-LED strip (2 meters) is used for minutes and seconds, creating a dynamic color display (e.g., Red/Green/Blue hands).
- Processing Logic Layer: The Arduino code follows a "pixel-walking" strategy: it interprets the RTC values and maps them to specific LED indices on the strips to provide safe and rhythmic clock patterns, lighting the correct LEDs for the current hour, minute, and second.
- Atmospheric Interface Layer: The Epoxy Resin provides a high-quality and reliable diffusive lens for each of the LED light bursts, transforming individual points of light into a smooth, glowing display.
Hardware-Artistic Infrastructure
EQUIPMENT LIST;
- Arduino Nano – The "brain" of the project, managing LED control and RTC communication.
- WS2812B LED Strip – Providing high-precision and reliable "Time Dials" for the clock. https://bit.ly/2Te7y2m
- HC-05 Bluetooth Module – Enables wireless time setting and control from a smartphone. https://bit.ly/2VCMEfk
- DS3231 RTC Real-Time Clock - Provides critical, battery-backed timekeeping accuracy. https://bit.ly/2AhUphz
- Epoxy Resin: Provides the high-capacity and artistic protective-diffusive layer.
- 3D-Printed Frame/Chassis: Provides a clear and professional physical interface and protects the internal wiring.
- 5V Power Supply (Adequate Amperage): Essential for providing clear and energy-efficient current for the high-brightness LEDs.
- USB Cable: Used to program the Arduino Nano.
FILES;
- 3D Printer Files - https://goo.gl/5muE6X
- Arduino Files – https://goo.gl/XzBvGX
- Application Apk. - https://goo.gl/nRdFBJ
Timepiece Automation and Interaction
The epoxy clock process is designed to be efficient, following the three main parts outlined earlier:
- Materials and Electronic Design (Initialize Workspace): Assemble the electronic components. Correctly set your LED strips and Arduino inside the 3D-printed frame, preparing for the resin pour.
- Making Epoxy (Setup & Encapsulation): This is a critical phase. In the Android Things app, initialize the LED driver and define settings. For the physical build, pour the resin carefully into the mold containing the electronics.
[!IMPORTANT] The Epoxy Resin must be poured in thin layers to avoid excessive heat during curing, which can damage your LED strips and wiring!
- Assemble and Showtime (Operation): Once the resin has fully cured, final assembly is completed. The clock enters its main loop: the Arduino constantly reads the RTC and updates the LED statuses in real-time. Watch your custom art piece automatically become a rhythmic status signal, displaying time through colored light.
Future Expansion
- OLED Dashboard Integration: Add a small OLED display to the clock to show system status like "Signal Strength" or a secondary timezone.
- Ambient Light Sensor Synchronization: Connect a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) to perform automatic brightness adjustment based on room lighting.
- Cloud Interface & Logging: Add a web dashboard accessible via WiFi/BT to precisely track and log display patterns or settings remotely.
- Advanced Pattern Customization: Expand the code to allow patterns to be changed automatically based on external triggers, like weather data or calendar events.
The Epoxy Resin LED Clock is a perfect project for any maker or science enthusiast looking for a more interactive and engaging horology tool!