Ultra Thin Minimalistic LED Word Clock

This wordclock took me several years to complete, working on this on and off. I'm glad that I've finally finished this and is very pleased with the results. The overall thickness is less than 3/4" and is aesthetically pleasing to look.

Through this journey, I've tried several different iterations and I'll do my best to explain (2) methods. The clock features (196) individually addressable LEDs and measures 24" x 24".

You will need the following materials:

• 12" x 24" x 1/8" Black Acrylic Sheets (2x)
• 24" x 24" x 1/8" Black Acrylic Sheet (1x)
• 24" x 24" x 1/8" Wooden Board (1x)
• 3/8" x 3/8" x 24" Wooden Strips (3)
• (196) WS2812B LEDs OR (14) Custom PCBs (see later section)
• 4-40 x 3/8" Machine Screws
• 4-40 x 3/8" Standoffs
• Assorted Ribbon Wires
• 24" x 24" Semi Transparent Vinyl or Tint
• Hot glue

Assembly of the frame is simple and easy. Simply trim the wooden strips to size and apply a small amount of hotglue and secure it against the edge of the 24" x 24" x 1/8" Black Acrylic Sheet (1x).

The black tinted acrylic sheet makes the pefect dispersion of LED and helps prevent bleeding into other letters. In my case, I added black tint but it is not necessary provided you can source a pre black tinted acrylic sheet.

CNC frame and files are provided, simply use any online CNC source, I use Oshcut for many of these services. Please also visit your local hackerspace for any opportunities to CNC locally.

LED wiring can be done in two different ways.

The first method uses available LED breakout boards, available on Amazon and many other locations. The wooden board has precut 10mm holes making it very simply for these individual boards to snap into place. Should you choose this route, I must warn you - there will be many, many soldering connections. For each LED breakout board, you'll need to solder (6) connections and multiply that across (196) LEDs. It is doable but you must have some patience. I'd also strongly advise you should consider stranded wire to prevent solder breakage.

Alternatively, I've created custom PCBs, available on EasyEDA (Project File Link here) to produce and get fabricated from JLCPCB. I recommend this approach given the amount of time and headache you'd avoid.

Once wired up, feel free to test each LED by connecting the LEDs into an Arduino and run a neopixel led test (link here).

Once satisfied with the result, assemble the wooden board along with the base and attach the standoffs in between and tighten all holes with machine screws. Hang it up somewhere visible but not in front and enjoy your masterpiece.

I'm currently working on creating a music synthesizer similar to graphic equalizers from boom boxes in the 90s. It is still in it's initial stage but I intend to continue working on this clock and adding more features. I'm in the process of creating a Git repository with the current python script running as well new additional features.

Some of these features include:

1. Music Synthesizer (have a beta version working)
2. Weather Alerts and animations
3. Google Home / Voice Integration