Maker builds 3D-printed marble clock that scrolls text
Ivan Miranda's clock uses black and white marbles and stepper motors to form scrolling letters, with a few issues still unsolved.
Maker Ivan Miranda has completed a large 3D-printed marble clock that displays scrolling text using black and white marbles, according to Hackaday. The build was assembled from 3D-printed parts bolted together.
The display is built around a round wheel that holds steel ball bearings, with stepper motors driving both the wheel and an inner selector mechanism. The motors align the marble channels and choose which colour of marble drops into the wheel's slots, producing the letters as the wheel turns.
Getting the mechanism to work took several rounds of trial and error. Among the problems Miranda had to solve were IR sensors that were confused by daylight.
Remaining issues
Two limitations remain in the current build. The wheel has to be homed manually before starting, and the ratio of black to white marbles leaves gaps in the text.
No release date or pricing has been announced for the project.
Quick answers
How does Ivan Miranda's marble clock display text?
A round wheel fitted with steel ball bearings and driven by stepper motors aligns marble channels and drops black or white marbles into slots to form scrolling letters.
What problems does the marble clock still have?
The wheel must be homed by hand before starting, and the ratio of black to white marbles causes gaps in the text. IR sensors confused by daylight were fixed during development.
Is the marble clock available to buy?
No release date or pricing has been announced.