WordClock (2022)

WordClock using LED stripes with English and German layout with lots of functions and web interface.

UPDATE 19.04.2025: There is a new modern variant available now, which has many more improvements and does not need any soldering to build this new WordClock 14x14 Classic. =)

UPDATE: 22.12.2022: N1cls was so kind to provide version 3 (V3) of his STLs with several improvements in the design, like arrows on the matrix part to take care of the LED direction of the LED stripes, an improved desktop stand as well as wall distancer and a better screw placement in the backplate which should cloes the back better. I have sorted the previous files to a "V2" folder and the new files to a “V3” folder. Note: I never uploaded V1 here, in case you miss V1… ;-) We would recommend to use the V3 named files from now on… 

UPDATE 29.01.2023: Code updated to V5.9 to fix 2 small bugs that prevented color and intensity updates when the Day/Night mode was turned on. Added an option in German language to switch between 2 writing methods for x:45 for “VIERTEL VOR“ or “DREIVIERTEL“. Please update to this new release.

UPDATE 18.05.2023: The here used WiFi Manager library seems to have a bug in the current on GitHub available version which can lead to not to be able to setup your WiFi credentials and will show “No AP set” only. I have reported this bug to the developers with this issue that they hopefully fix soon: https://github.com/tzapu/WiFiManager/issues/1609

This easy 3D printable, beautiful WordClock that fits on a 210x210mm print bed was first introduced by N1cls with basic software features. I liked it a lot and I have updated the code since then over the past months. Now that it supports an English layout as well, we decided to take it to Prusa Printables.com too. We hope you have as much fun with this WordClock as we and many others have so far with it too. If you have interesting ideas for new functions, please let me know. This is a really fun project and we hope you will like it. N1cls is working hard on updates to the printed parts and if you have good ideas for them, please let us know too. =)

Time here on this German version is 07:43 or 19:43 o'clock:

How to read it?:

• The text says 07:40 or 19:40 in words: “It is 20 (minutes) to 8” and in addition 3 corner LEDs are on, so it is 07:43 or 19:43 o’clock.
• If you just read the texts, you know the time in 5 minutes steps, just like you read an analog clock to quickly read the time.
• If you want to know the time more precise, you count the up to 4 corner LEDs which actually are turned on, to know home many single minutes you need to add to be time you already know by simply reading the text. So the up to 4 corner LEDs show how many single minutes you have to add to the 5-minutes precise text information…

EN:

Video:

Music credit: Used some free music from Apple iMovie


Functions:

• The WordClock can be fixed to your wall with the hanger on top of the backplate or with the 2 little “t”-shaped foots placed on your desk/sideboard in an angle.
• WiFi Manager integration to avoid setting your WiFi credentials manually in the code.
• The from your WiFi router received IP-address can be shown as a scrolling text to inform you about the current value.
• During startup in default a LED test function is shown to check your wiring. All LEDs should light up in green color and turn off again.
• During startup a text “SET WLAN“ (DE) or “WiFi“ (EN) is shown until the WiFi settings were done for the first time or afterwards until the device received a new IP-address.
• The configuraton can be set with an integrated web portal by f.e. „http://WordClock0” or “http://192.168.178.50” (depending on your network settings).
• The LED color can be configured to a static value.
• The LED intensity can be set for a day time and optional for a night mode usage.
• To every new hour the hour text can flash orange to notify about the new reached hour.
• Optional you can choose to show the date as scrolling text every minute + 30 seconds.
• A time span can be selected to turn off the LEDs fully or reduce their intensity for night time usage for each day separately.
• Updates of the software can be done with the web portal as well to avoid connecting the device to Arduino IDE again. The needed .bin file is included.
• During startup you can choose if the following functions should be displayed: IP-address as scrolling text, the SET WLAN/WiFi text and/or the LED test function.
• The LED color can be shown as randomised 'rainbow' color changed every new minute or the separate words can be shown in a static rainbow color.
• You can choose if the minute LEDs in the corners should be rotated in clockwise or anti clockwise direction.
• The in the internal WifiManager stored WiFi settings can be set to default on request to switch to a new WiFi router afterwards.
• In case the WiFi is no longer available the device will reset the WiFi settings automatically after 240s to avoid flashing with Arduino IDE again.
• You can configure the hostname of the device that will be tried to tranfer to your routers DNS configuration to reach the web portal via DNS name too.
• A restart request can be forced with the web portal as well.
• The timezone and NTP-Server configuration can be configured as well to fit to your demands.
• Optional you can set up to 3 IP-addresses (of f.e. your smart phones) connected on your network to be monitored via PING requests 2x per minute. After a set amount of failed PING attempts the WordClock LEDs will turn off to reduce power consumption when you are not at home.
• Automatic update without the need of a computer. The configuration page will show the available version to update to and with a single click on the note the update will be done automatically. The download and update progress is shown on the clock display.
• Language support for german and english language in the web interface. REST command texts always written in english language. Feel free to add more languages.
• Language support for the german and english layout variant of the WordClock. The switch between the german or english layout is done by selecting the language in the web configuration:

EN:

DE:

Web configuration interface:

Required Hardware:

• 1x Node MCU V3 - ESP8266 board
• Optional: 1x RTC (DS3231) board
• 114 LEDs of an 5m WS2812B 60 led/meter stripe
• 1x Power supply 5V / >=3A
• 1x USB cable
• Some wires in different colors
• 4x M3x10mm screw
• 1x DinA4 piece of paper as white diffusor behind the front and in front of the matrix part
  
   

Wiring instructions:

Note: Take care of the LED strip direction as shown in the pictures. The LEDs have little arrows that will tell you their direction.
 

Code:

• The code can be downloaded on our GitHub repository. Have a look for more details and HowTo‘s there as well.
• Once the code is on your ESP, the clock should open an “WordClock” WiFi access point which you have to connect to. A page should open in which you can enter your WiFi credentials and then you are ready to go. During the startup, the Wordclock shows its network IP with a running numbers. Enter this into the browser of your choice on a device connected to the same network to enter the setup menu of the clock.
  
   

Printing instructions:

• The clock consists mainly of three printed parts, the front cover, the middle part and the back plate. You should use a dark filament for the front cover to prevent light from the LEDs to shine through the front cover material (solution for that coming soon). For the middle part, you should use support structures (already working on an update for that). In my experience, it is easiest to print this part with the side on which the LEDs will later be attached on is facing downwards.
• 0.3 draft profile if you use the textured sheet. 0.2 speed profile for the steel sheet.
• Brim set active to 4mm for the front and back part to avoid warping.
• Skirt line set inactive for all parts to be able to print it on the Prusa MK3S(+).
• Supports needed for the middle interior matrix part.
• Printable fully with PLA.
• The front part should be printed in a dark color to avoid light shining through around the letters.
• The matrix part needs to be printed in black color to avoid light shining through to other sections.
• All parts are continually updated to optimise the WordClock case too. If you build another one please check for new files here too. 

Happy printing :)