slides.oddbird.net/oddbird/clocks/

Mechanical Clocks An Intro to Horology

slides.oddbird.net/oddbird/clocks/

Miriam Suzanne @ OddBird (Virtual) Retreat
Grandfather clocks
Wall clocks
Mantel clocks
Pocket watches
Wrist watches

Essential Parts

  1. Oscillating Resistor
  2. Escapement
  3. Power Source
  4. Gear Train
  5. Dial Indicator

Called a… Clock Movement

Closeup of skeleton clock with visible gears
The insides are usually brass and steel
Watch movements have similar parts, but a more compact layout and (sometimes) synthetic rubies holding the axels
A time-only clock has one power source to wind, and one gear train
A time and strike clock has one two, the second one is attached to a small padded hammer
A spiral wire gong
Several long straight gongs with two or more wires
A time-and-strike movement with a wire up to a cuckoo instead of a hammer
A chiming movement has a third power source, set of gears, and a larger set of hammers in the back

We’ll focus on The Time

  1. Oscillating Resistor

  2. Escapement
  3. Power Source
  4. Gear Train
  5. Dial Indicator

Reliable Harmonic Oscillation

Oscillating period Determined by Length

See the Pen Pendulum Math by @miriamsuzanne on CodePen.

Just Theory

Reality Sucks

Reality Sucks
Reality Involves Friction

Reality Sucks
Reality Involves Friction
And Variations in Gravity
And Variations in Temperature
And…

Do More Math?

No, Do Less Math

We (roughly) know Both Pi & Gravity

Close enough, now… Make Everything Adjustable

Responsive Clock Design™

  1. Oscillating Resistor

  2. Escapement

  3. Power Source
  4. Gear Train
  5. Dial Indicator

Convert… Oscillations to Rotation

Controlled Release

pendulum interrupts the movement

Adjustable Crutch

Loose interface with pendulum

Great but… Perpetual Motion is Fake

Pendulum’s Lose Momentum

from pivot friction air resistance

  1. Oscillating Resistor
  2. Escapement

  3. Power Source

  4. Gear Train
  5. Dial Indicator

We need a Very Small Force

Over a Very Long Time

Our goals… To Un-Wind Slowly

  • 30hr Clock -> Daily Wind
  • 8 Day Clock -> Weekly Wind
  • 400 Day Clock -> Yearly Wind

See the Pen Pendulum Math by @miriamsuzanne on CodePen.

  1. Oscillating Resistor
  2. Escapement
  3. Power Source

  4. Gear Train

  5. Dial Indicator

Teeth need Equal Size & Spacing

Tooth Ratio == Size Ratio

Design With Circles

Server-Side Logic

Higher ratios Run Longer

Higher ratios Need More Force

Not only Drawing Out The Power

The gear ratios also… Divide The Pendulum Beat

Pendulum runs At Any Speed

smaller clock, shorter pendulum, faster beat

We need any wheel To Rotate Hourly

Call that… The “Center Wheel”

Center Wheel is The API

  1. Oscillating Resistor
  2. Escapement
  3. Power Source
  4. Gear Train

  5. Dial Indicator

Front end logic Called “Motion Works”

User Interface

Strike Mechanism Uses Event Listeners!

(we don’t have time for that)

My Process

Laser Cut & 3d Print

✨ Physical Code ✨

Not Just For Time…

  • Mechanical Pedometer
  • Typewriter
  • Etc…

Resources…