Sacred Geometry Clock: Full Instructions for Other Geometries!!

This is a 3D printable clock project that can be used as a guideline for creating similar geometries without prior knowledge of 3D modeling. Those who want can download the model files from step 9 and follow only step 9. We will use Fusion360 because of its easier learning curve and its power to model 3D objects.

All items needed for this project may be already in your hands!!

• A 3D printer
• A glue that can be used for plastics. ( I used a cyanoacrylate.)
• Low-grit sandpaper or sanding sponge.
• 2 nails
• Clock motor

There are lots of "sacred" geometry shapes which can be used as baseplate of a clock. First, we make a simple google search for sacred geometry and find some images which can fit our design needs. I had chosen the "vector equilibrium" for this project. We also need a clock image for comparison. To choose the correct geometry for our needs, we need to use a 3D CAD program. We can use other 3D CAD programs for our purpose but the simplest and most powerful tool I used is Fusion360. So, for designing with ease, we will stick with Fusion360.

To find a suitable geometry, we need to compare our geometry to a clock.

2a) Open Fusion 360

2b) Locate the Insert selection from the top-right of the program.

2c) Select Canvas from the dropdown menu. Then locate your image file. Insert the image to the top plane (Fusion360 supports plenty of image formats so feel free)

2d) Repeat 1c for inserting the clock image.

2e) Align two images for comparison.

After comparing the two images, delete the clock image for more visibility.

(Hint 1: You can hold shift to select multiple sketches or bodies.)

(Hint 2: You can scale the canvas to the desired length to skip scaling.)

3a) Create a circle from the center point of the image.

3b) Connect the four diameter lines. (Fusion360 helps with the positioning of lines.)

3c) Trace one of the ellipses half with a spline. ( Splines could be modified via the spline points.)

3d) Mirror the spline in two directions to create the first ellipse.

3e) Select the full spline. Do Ctrl+C. Do Ctrl+V. Rotate the spline to the correct angle. Select point-to-point move. Apply mirror afterward.

3f) Measure the diameter of the circle from the inspect dropdown. In my case, I want the clock 40cm in diameter and I have a sketched circle with a diameter of 5.413mm. So, 400mm / 5.413mm = 73.896.

3g) Offset the splines. My offset is -0.1mm. A negative value means the offset is inside of the geometry. Scale factor*Offset distance gives the real wall width of the geometry which is 7.4mm. (We calculated the scale factor to make offset distance viable.)

3h) Offset the circle with a positive value in my case 0.2mm and offset with a negative value of -0.155.

The final sketch can be seen in the last photo of this step.

We now start the solid body creation. Now we start extruding the sketch to form a body.

4a) Extrude the inner geometry to the desired thickness by using extrude function from the Solid tab.

4b) Show the sketch after extrusion.

4c) Extrude the inner circle with half thickness again using the extrude function.

4d) Optional: Scale the body to the desired size.

Now we create a plane to start our new sketch.

5a) Under the solid tab locate "Construct" and click to open the dropdown menu, select the offset plane option, and click on the sacred geometry shape, we want a plane at the bottom of the shape so leave the offset distance value as 0.

5b) Start the sketch by selecting the newly created offset plane from the construction folder.

5c) Select 3 point circle and create an exact circle as the extruded one. (3-point circle only needs points on the edges of the circle.)

5d) Create a diameter line passing from the half ellipses joining tip or starting tip upon the desired look.

5e) Offset the line in each direction with 5mm and create a vertical line connecting the two offsetted lines.

5f) Trim the excess lines by clicking the scissor icon in the sketch tab.

5g) Select the circular pattern from Create dropdown, and select the created sketch by clicking the offsetted lines and the vertical connecting line select the center point as the circle's center and make 3 copies. (One of them will be the sketch itself.)

Now let's measure the clock motor to create an appropriate housing in the body.

6a) Use a ruler or a vernier caliper to measure the length, width, and thickness of the motor. ( My motor is 56mmx56mmx16mm and it might be universal but I'm not sure.)

6b) Create a center rectangle from create dropdown, and apply the exact dimensions as motors.

6c) Offset the rectangle to make housing that can fit the motor. I will make my offset 0.6mm. So there will be a total gap of 1.6mm between the housing and the motor.

6d) Make another offset from the original rectangle with a 3mm offset distance.

6e) Optional: We can use the circular pattern tool again to create extra lines and for a better look. I will repeat step 5g and make 12 copies this time. Add a connecting line between the newly created patterns and trim the excess length.

Finish the sketch.

Now, we will create the body from the new sketch

7a) Under the solid tab, select Extrude, select all the closed contours that needs to be extruded, select join as the operation type, and give the exact same thickness as the previously created body.

7b) Offset a plane at 0mm by using the offset plane and clicking the bottom side of the object, create a two-point rectangle at the motor housing, and join 1mm to the inside housing.

7c) Under the solid tab, locate the fillet, select it, and soften the desired joints.

We have created our body and we have a regular-sized print area in our printer so a 35cm diameter circle is not possible to print without splitting the body into parts. In this step, we will produce 4 stl files from our original body and we will add connection parts to our split body.

8a) Create a sketch on the top side of the object.

8b) Create a circle that has the exact center as the object, and bigger in diameter.

8c) Create 2 lines that splits the body into a symmetric quadruple.

8d) Use the split command in the solid tab to split the body into 4 halves using the sketch as a guide.

8e) Save each part as a mesh, by right-clicking each body and selecting save as mesh.

• Print all parts with %5 infill, don't use supports, and a brim for adhesion will be enough for most cases.
• Snap one of the part's center quarter rectangle into a triangle as shown in the photo. (For accessing the adjustment knob.)
• Sand all of the faces that will join the other parts.
• Apply some glue to the faces you'll join then hold it for 10-20 seconds. (Wait for at least 2 to 3 minutes for thorough drying.)
• Apply some glue to the clock motor and fit into the center rectangle.
• Hold the clock to the desired position and mark two points for nails, and nail the locations.