“Time is a fundamental aspect of our lives, and there are countless ways to keep track of it - from wristwatches to wall clocks to smartphones. However, for those who want a more personalized and visually stunning way to keep track of time, I propose the construction of a DIY LED clock, a construction that can be an exciting and rewarding project. In this guide I will try to show you how to create a unique and eye-catching curved LED clock using WS2812 LEDs, which are capable of producing a wide range of vibrant colors and patterns.
The clock displays the time on a 12x5 WS2812 LED matrix, with hours, minutes, and seconds represented as colored LED bars and pixels. This allows for a high degree of customization and creativity in designing the clock’s display.
Whether you’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer or a newcomer to the world of electronics, this guide will take you step-by-step through the process of building a custom LED clock that will not only tell time but also add a touch of visual flair to any room in your home or office. So, let’s get started and bend time to your will! :)
Supplies:
- 3D printed parts: support for LEDs, the grid, support box for the electronic circuit and the cover for it and some end pieces. The project with these parts is on Tinkercad. I also attached the STL files bellow. All parts were made 100% on Tinkercad.
- 84 WS2812 LEDs, which is about one and a half meter of a LED strip with 60 LEDs/meter.
- One Wemos D1 mini.
- A 2.5m female plug with wire.
- A 5V/2A power supply.
- M3 screws, 20-30mm in length, 2 pieces.
- M3 nuts, 2 pieces.
- Mini wood screws, 2.5mm in diameter, 3.5mm screw head diameter, and 10mm in length. These can be purchased from hobby stores and are used to mount locks and hinges on decorative wooden boxes.
- Printed paper for the display. (SVG files for two clock face variants are attached bellow)
- For the display, a piece of transparent PETG plate with dimensions of 215x130 mm and a thickness of 0.75 - 1mm.”