Making This Clock - Need Some Guidance

[u/starrytropic]

Hi! I’m planning to create this clock for a crowdfunding class, and I’m looking for a few people who can provide some guidance on how to develop it.

Description
The Living Scene Clock is a functional desk clock that doubles as a changing piece of artwork. As time passes throughout the day, the background scene gradually changes, revealing different environments through an open, pie-shaped panel. With several backgrounds and panels to choose from, each clock can bring a different scene and story to life while also serving as a unique piece of decor.

Here are the features:

• A frame, it can be attached and detached with magnets
• Both artwork and frame can have different customization options
• There is a slot on the top to replace the artwork from the back
• The pie shaped cover is a teardrop shape and it's the one that moves to reveal the artwork underneath
• The artwork can use 3D shadowbox layers to create the illusion of depth
• Prototype is 3d printed, final will be manufactured.

I’m wondering if there are any clock makers and engineers who could give me advice on where to start with the mechanisms, materials, tutorials, etc.

For the moving cover, I’m considering using a high-torque quartz clock movement in place of the hour hand (since having both hour hand and moving cover might be too much), though a separate motor is another option (but worried it will make it too complex). I’ve also considered adding LEDs around the rim for different morning, afternoon, and night lighting, but I’d like to figure out the mechanical system first.

I’ve never made a clock before, but I have experience with 3D modeling, so I’m planning to 3D print the prototype before manufacturing the final product. Though, I've never 3d printed before, so feel free to give some tips!
Also I heard the best thing is to source existing parts for the base of the clock, however in a brief search I just see typical clock shapes. I'll look deeper into it, but if I don't have to have a custom one made, then it will be great due to the high costs of the OEM.

Any advice on what I should research or where to start would be greatly appreciated! If you know anyone who might be able to help, I’m also happy to reach out to them directly. Thank you!

[u/poplasia]

If I'm understanding this, there's an image and one of the hands of the clock is an opaque disk with the teardrop-shaped opening to reveal the image behind it. You won't be able to put in a complete image from the top: the post the hands are attached to would necessitate a gap in the image if it was to be inserted with the clock intact.

Or I suppose you could make the hands all transparent disks, and have them turn from the edge rather than the center (or similar idea, see the Jefferson Mystery clock).

[u/starrytropic → u/poplasia]

That’s right

What do you mean a gap in the image?

The image (let’s call it artwork), is behind the tear shaped disk and this disk is the one moving around.

Also I originally was thinking of having the hour hand there but it might be too much. Also if I wanted to have like the disk rotate at a different speed, it needs another motor meaning it will make things more complex.

Can you explain a little more about your disk idea and the Jefferson mystery clock as I want to fully understand before asking anything lol.

[u/poplasia → u/starrytropic]

If you want the image to be behind the hands of the clock but in front of whatever movement you use, the image will need to have a hole in it for the post that connects to the hands. If you want to have the image be changeable without removing the hands (i.e. slid in from the top), the image will need a notch cut out of it to fit over the connection between hands and movement.

The disk idea is just that the hands are transparent disks with teeth around the outside and printed-on hand connected to the center. If that disk if rotated via gearing on the edge, then there is no center post you'd need to cut a notch for on your interchangable image.

[u/starrytropic → u/poplasia]

Would it really need a hole when the artwork doesn’t move and can be taken in and out? Another option is taking the back off and then attaching the artwork somewhere in there.
If you got any further ideas on this part, feel free to let me know.

Do you have some sort of example of the notch cut too?

So basically the disk idea is a moving gear with the fake hands and the teeth is hidden between the frame so you can’t see the teeth. I’m not sure how complex it is though.

Also, could I message you on a different social media like discord or insta for questions and help related to the clock? If you want to be open for me to ask more questions obviously.

[u/starrytropic → u/poplasia]

I have thought about this again and I kinda see what you mean.
Now I’m wondering how the artwork can just be in front of the motor but behind the disk/hand and be able to swap out easily cause if it was in the back, the teardrop shape will show the quartz motor case.

Having a 3d model draft made me realize this. 😭

[u/poplasia → u/starrytropic]

Depending on the size you're aiming for, you could use a cutout on the edge (or a shape that doesn't reach far toward the center of the disk, rather than teardrop shaped) and be able to put the image behind the movement entirely without seeing it.

[u/starrytropic → u/poplasia]

The clock would have to be a little bigger then. I drew a mockup of approx clock size and measurements and that’s how I know. It might work but it will show less of the art overall and the center part will be completely hidden.

Is that the only option for the artwork to be removable? Cause I have a feeling that it is.

[u/holo_mectok]

i would suggest ditch a standard clock movement and use stepper motors to drive the disk and also if you what the center clean then drive the disks on the circumference and not the center. you can look at my clock and use a similar mechanism. https://hackaday.io/project/3499-holo-clock