Tick Tock Make It Not Stop: Crafting a Wooden Clock (Galileo Escapement)

Summary

In this video, the creator embarks on a journey to design and build a gravity-powered mechanical clock using an anchor escapement. Starting with trial and error, they address friction, rigidity, and precision challenges, eventually crafting a working clock. By using simpler materials like plywood gears and pegs, they enhance the design, achieving a smooth, ticking motion. After fine-tuning the escapement and adjusting the pendulum, the clock runs for 33 minutes, showcasing the creator's progress. The project not only demonstrates mechanical design but also emphasizes the joy of hands-on problem-solving and the beauty of functioning mechanics.

Takeaways

• 😀 The project involves designing and building a wooden mechanical clock powered by gravity, specifically using an anchor escapement mechanism.
• 😀 An escapement mechanism is used to make the clock's movements stop and go at regular intervals, which is key to its operation.
• 😀 The creator initially encounters multiple challenges, such as friction, misaligned wheels, and jamming components.
• 😀 Despite the difficulties, the creator learns valuable lessons from the failed design and seeks to refine the mechanism for better functionality.
• 😀 The second design iteration is based on a Galileo-inspired design, focusing on forgiving construction tolerances and using pegs instead of precise teeth for simplicity.
• 😀 The goal is to have the clock run for at least a couple of minutes, and the design should be able to tell time in seconds.
• 😀 CAD designs are created to plan out the construction of gears, and plywood is used to craft the gears with printed templates for precision.
• 😀 The creator uses a router table to cut the gears, although the process is described as risky and lacking proper safety precautions.
• 😀 The escapement mechanism is created by drilling holes in plywood and inserting nails as pegs, making it much easier to build than the gears themselves.
• 😀 The final step is to assemble the components, adjust the weight on the lever to control the swing rate, and wind up the clock to make it start ticking.
• 😀 After testing, the clock runs for 33 minutes, demonstrating a functional and satisfying mechanical clock that combines pleasing motion, sound, and utility.

Q & A

What type of clock is being designed in the video?

The video demonstrates the design and construction of a mechanical wooden clock powered by gravity, using an anchor escapement system to regulate the movement of the gears.

What is an anchor escapement, and how does it work?

An anchor escapement is a mechanical device that controls the movement of a clock's gears in regular intervals. It uses a lever arm that blocks the wheel's movement until it is lifted, allowing the clock to tick at constant intervals.

What challenges did the initial design face?

The initial design faced issues such as excessive friction, wheels not staying centered, jammed string, and a lever arm that either got stuck or swung loose. These problems made the clock barely functional.

What improvements were made to the second design?

The second design focused on reducing friction, increasing rigidity, and allowing for more forgiving construction tolerances. The gear teeth were simplified, and pegs were used instead of teeth, making the construction process easier and more reliable.

What role does the pendulum play in this clock design?

The pendulum in the design swings at a constant rate, providing a regulated motion that helps control the movement of the clock's gears, ensuring the clock ticks at regular intervals.

How were the gears made for this clock?

The gears were created using plywood, with a printed design attached to the wood. After drilling the necessary holes for the teeth, the gears were cut into circles using a router, ensuring the parts fit together to function properly.

What safety precautions were mentioned in the video?

The video mentions that proper safety precautions should be taken, especially when using tools like the router. Although the scale of the system was small enough for the creator to work with minimal safety measures, it is recommended to use more safety gear in similar projects.

What was the result of the final clock design?

The final clock design ran successfully, ticking at regular intervals with minimal friction. After winding it up, the clock ran for about 33 minutes, which was a satisfactory duration for a small mechanical clock powered by gravity.

What lesson did the creator learn from this project?

The creator learned valuable lessons about mechanical systems, including the importance of reducing friction, ensuring rigidity, and maintaining accurate gear ratios. The process also highlighted the satisfying and useful nature of building functional mechanical devices.

How did the gear reduction help improve the clock's performance?

The gear reduction helped by reducing the speed at which the main gear turned, allowing the escapement to tick every second. This helped make the clock more accurate and allowed it to run longer with greater stability.