Timeless Clock! Infinity Mirror Clock
by HandyFox in Circuits > LEDs
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Timeless Clock! Infinity Mirror Clock
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
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
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
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
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
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.