Wordclock 8x8 - Multilanguage (EN, DE, ES) - Completely 3D-printed

Always wanted to build a wordclock and saw these cheap WS2812B 8x8 LED-panels (you can find them by searching for WS2812B 8x8 on a shop of your choice), so I started to make a model.  All files are sized for the ones with the 6 holes, you see in the pictures, but I added the FreeCAD model so you can scale it to your needs. I personally like to use an ESP32-C3 SuperMini because they are cheap too and very tiny, but you can choose the one you like. The Github project https://github.com/ESPWortuhr/Multilayout-ESP-Wordclock is used for the software.

Models

Here everything got a bit crazy, it's quite hard that the inner parts of the letters stick to the build plate, but with a lot of patience I got it to work (see print settings). The diffuser for the LEDs is printed directly on the letters so you don't need a stencil font. I still added one for those who don't want the stress of trying multiple times till everything sticks to the bed (see pile of shame at the end). To have the characters as large as possible I edited the fonts slightly (only the letters W, Ö and Ü).

The .3mf file have two objects, the case it self and a diffuser which have to printed in white. This can be also done in PrusaSlicer (other slicer like OrcaSlicer can this per default) if you don't have a multicolor printer by adding a second extruder and the the commands for color change as tool change (you can deactivate the cleaning tower if you want):

M600
G1 E0.3 F1500 ; prime after color change

For the color of the clock I highly recommend a dark color and changing after the diffuser to black filament. Otherwise you will have light leaking through the walls and illuminating the nearby characters also. As a side effect you get a really cool dual-color case. If you use a lighter color for front you are risking, that not every color is well blocked. See at the Spanish variant, all red lights are not proper shielded. You can add a black character layer but this also is not working perfect (don't forget to also print a black layer at the cover to have similar colors).

Print settings

• 0.2mm layer height
• 2 perimeters
• 100% Infill
• 0 solid top layers
• elephant-foot-compensation: 0.2 mm
• for the Roboto font you will probably need little mouse ears for the inner of the letters

If you have problems with bed adhesion consider the following tips:

• Clean your build plate with warm water and washing-up liquid
• Clean your build plate with Isopropanol
• Redo first layer calibration
• Reduce speed
• Ensure your filament is dry

Assembly and Software

The assembly is quite easy: solder 5V, GND and Signal (Pin 3 is defined per default for ESP32 and RX pin for ESP8266 in the project). Flash the software e.g. ESP Web tool https://esp.huhn.me/ or ESP tool gui https://github.com/Rodmg/esptool-gui

You can you the releases from https://github.com/ESPWortuhr/Multilayout-ESP-Wordclock or you can download the firmware is compiled for the 8x8 wordclock:

https://github.com/BastiMu/Multilayout-ESP-Wordclock/releases

After flashing a WLAN Hotspot is opened and you can set your WIFI name and password. Entering the shown IP you can access the webserver of the ESP to configure your wordclock.

To assemble the wordclock you only need to click all parts together, no screws needed.

Used resources

FreeCAD 1.0: https://www.freecad.org/index.php

FontForge: https://fontforge.org/

Roboto font: https://www.dafont.com/de/roboto.font

Stencilia font: https://www.dafont.com/de/stencilia.font

My pile of shame

Successfully printed

Black character layer

If you find an error or you have any question feel free to leave a comment at the model.

Happy printing :)