Timeless Clock! Infinity Mirror Clock
by HandyFox in Circuits > LEDs
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Timeless Clock! Infinity Mirror Clock
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How about timeless time?!?! Yeah that's what I thought. An infinity mirror setup coupled with a clock produced interesting results. So how to infinity mirrors work? Well all they need is a mirror back with a one way reflective mirror several inches in front of it with a strip of LEDs in between. So why not put a clock in the middle of it all. I gave it a try and here's what I got.
Supplies
The build list for this clock was actually pretty simple.
- A simple clock from Walmart (I bought the cheapest one there that I could find)
- One way reflective tint.
- Plexiglass (I used this but wouldn't recommend it instead get a acrylic or other easy-to-cut mirror)
- Arduino Nano
- Analog RGB strip lights
- Tools- (Wire, Solder Iron...)
Disassemble the Clock
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First I removed the six screws on from the back of the clock. Then I removed the hands and then pealed the paper face from the clock.
Printing the Spacer
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To add some depth to the clock I went and drew up a simple spacer to space the face glass out from the back of the clock.
Reflective Tinting
Next I went and put reflective tint on a piece of plexiglass to make the clock face. And I then I went and tinted the original glass clock face. Sorry that I didn't get any pictures of it.
Numbering the Clock Face
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For the numbers on the clock drew up some 3D text and printed it off. To help place the numbers I notched each little black wedge. Then I simply glued each number on with some Tacky Glue.
Wiring It Up
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The strip light need to be run around the inside of the 3D printed spacer ring. The second picture shows how I went and painted the outside of the ring but that is totally unnecessary because the trim ring will cover it. To wire up the RGB lights follow this guide: https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-led-strips/arduino-code
On my Nano I went and removed all the headers. To allow it to lay flat against the back of the clock. I also went and wired in a selector switch to allow me to toggle through the various colors. Here is the code. It's nothing fancy but it works!
Downloads
Finishing It Up
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I had to grind off the risers from the black trim ring that goes over the outside. I also had to router a small hole to allow the wires to pass to the backside of the clock. Lastly I simply powered it up and presto!! I like when things work out!
What Would I Do Different
I am really pleased with almost everything. But if I would do it again I would paint the clock hands white and print the letters with white filament. And I would order plastic mirrors if I could find them. I was pressed for time on this build. But I did a couple quick searches on Amazon and saw some mirrors that I believe would work better than my one way reflective window tint.