Laser Clock!

With today’s easy access to 3D printers – and more exotic machinery if you’re willing to invest the time and money – sometimes we forget that awesome hacks are possible with the most basic of components. Creator ripred3’s laser clock is just such a device (video), using an Arduino Nano as a controller, along with what’s described as a “garbage laser pointer for projection." Other components include small DC motor, mirror, infrared detector, scrap brass and copper, and… an eraser.

The laser pointer is held in a static orientation, while the motor spins the mirror – oriented at a slight angle with respect to the beam – around and around. The infrared detector is used to sense how fast the motor is going, and the setup varies laser timing based on motor speed and the programmed time-of-day. Quick blinking, combined with the rotating mirror, form an analog clock display, including dots for each minute, brighter dots for every five minutes, and markings to indicate the hour, minute, and second hands.

Code for the build is available on GitHub, though actually putting one together would likely be a matter of scrounging required items from around the workshop. Possible future improvements include having a bright dot zip around the clock for minute or hour changes, variable “hand” sizes, and more. Ripred3 also mentions potentially using a real-time clock or ESP32 for further timekeeping enhancements. Perhaps this clock will become even better and more refined over time!