Introduction: 3D Printable – Large Scale Divers Watch Desk Clock

If you ever wanted a really massive, fully 3D printable divers watch desk clock - your dreams have been answered! However, this little project isn't for the faint hearted!

The project was purely an exercise in my 3D modelling and the capabilities of my home-use desktop 3D printer (Ultimaker 2 and MakerBot Rep 2).

Step 1: Overview

131 individual parts (or thereabouts).

30 hours printing time - approx @ 0.2mm

(0.1 recommended).

50 metres of filament @ 3mm dia.

400g weight (approx).

Please note:

This project will require model making skills and lots of patients!

Ideally, all parts should be printed at 0.1 or higher if possible and some fine tuning will be required to make parts fit. Printed on the MB Rep 2 and Ultimaker 2 using PLA.

Additional items required:

Battery Quartz clock movement – example:

Quartz movement

Perspex/Acrylic 100mm dia disc, 3mm thick – example:

Perspex face

Scalpel, sand paper, smoothing files

Lengths of 3mm filament (or 3mm dowels)

‘Super’ Glue

3mm drill (to clean hole connections)

Correction fluid (face detail)

The following stages outline assembly instructions.

Step 2: Part Listing, 3D Printing Instructions and Download Link

All files can be downloaded from here: Download

Face_dial_Blank.stl

Face_dial_MB.stl

Winder_MB.stl

Dial_hour_inserts.stl

Main_clasp.stl

Small_clasp.stl

Clasp_hinge_latch.stl

Bezel_face_numbers.stl

Bezel_ratchet.stl

Hands.stl

Bracelet_inner_links.stl

Inner_ring.stl

Bracelet_outer_links.stl

Hands_inserts.stl

Bezel_number_face.stl

Bezel_outer.stl

Dial_hours_outer.stl

Bracelet_watch_links.stl

Back_outer.stl

Back.stl

Main_body.stl

Divers_Watch_desk_clock_v1.pdf

Face_dial_MB_flat.stl

Back_thread_1_v2.stl

Back_thread_2_v2.stl

MAIN_body_1_v2.stl

MAIN_body_2_v2.stl

Bracelet_outer_links_v2.stl

Main_clasp_no_support.stl

Clasp_hinge_clasp_v2.stl

Bracelet_inner_links_v3.stl


Step 3: Assembly Instructions – Bracelet

1. Layout the printed parts as shown below from the files:

Bracelet_watch_links.stl

Bracelet_inner_links.stl

Bracelet_outer_links.stl

Note: The ‘curve’ of all links should face up.

2. Connect each link set with a short length of 3mm filament or dowel.

Only glue the connections (both sides of link).

3. Repeat this construction for both sides, but remove the two final small silver links on the second bracelet

Step 4: Assembly Instructions – Clock Back

1.

Position and glue together printed parts as shown below from the files:

Back_outer.stl

Back.stl

Note:

These two files can be joined and printed as one piece if preferred.

2.

When the back is complete, turn the clock back over and position both completed bracelets as shown above.

Step 5: Assembly Instructions – Main Body

3.

Position and glue together the additional printed parts as shown below from the files:

Main_body.stl

Inner_ring.stl

4.

Glue the printed file: Winder_MB.stl

onto the main body.

Note:

The clock back is only used to position all parts -

do not glue clock back onto main body.

Step 6: Assembly Instructions – Uni-directional Bezel

1. Position the printed parts as shown above from the files:

Bezel_outer.stl

Bezel_ratchet.stl

2. Glue the racket ring onto the ‘Inner ring’ (two parts shown in red below)

Note: Make sure to leave the ‘bezel outer’ free to rotate.

3. Position the three racket pegs as shown above and glue onto the ‘bezel outer’ as shown in red.
Note: Make sure the racket pegs are orientated to only allow the ‘bezel outer’ to rotate anti clockwise.

Step 7: Assembly Instructions – Uni-directional Bezel Face

1. Position and glue the printed part as shown above from the files:

Bezel_number_face.stl

Note: Only apply glue between the ‘Bezel number face’ and the ‘Bezel outer ring’

2. Glue the Bezel_face_numbers.stl printed parts into the recesses onto the ‘Bezel number face’.

Note: The fit of these parts will depend on the print quality and resolution of your printer - this is a real test!
The number inserts have been given a -0.2mm tolerance to fit into the recessed areas.

However, some trimming may be required for a fit as shown in photo.

Step 8: Assembly Instructions – Clock Back

1. Position and glue the printed part as shown below from the file onto the completed clock back:

Back_thread.stl

Note: Ensure the inner threaded collar is precisely centered on the back.

2. Screw the outer part onto the back thread collar and position the back into the main body.
3. Once the back is positioned correctly into the main body recess, glue the outer threaded collar (shown red above) onto the main body. Ensure the threads are free to rotate and the back seats squarely.

Step 9: Finishing and Assembly Instructions – Clock Dial Face

1. Remove the base supports but leave the three back supports on the printed file (grip these to help sanding):

Face_dial_MB.stl

Depending on the quality of the printed piece, some sanding may be required to smooth the surface.

2. Sand the surface to remove any pronounced z-axis layering to achieve as smooth a surface as possible.

Use a Stationery correction fluid pen to ‘flood’ the de-bossed MB logo, wording and outer ‘minute’ markers.

3. When the Correction fluid is dry, surface sand away the over painted areas to reveal only the de-bossed features.

4. Repeat this process until all details are crisp and the surface is smooth.

If the surface dries to a powdery finish, an application of a light oil (Baby Oil) will help darken the finish.

Step 10: Assembly Instructions – Clock Dial Face, Cont.

1. Remove all support material from the finished dial face and position as shown above from the files:

Dial_hour_inserts.stl Dial_hours_outer.stl

2. Glue the ‘outers’ and ‘insert’ onto the dial face.

3. Ensure the face dial is positioned correctly.

4. Glue the Dial face onto the main body piece.

Step 11: Assembly Instructions – Clock Hands

1. Remove all support material from the printed pieces and position as shown above:

Hands.stl

Hands_inserts.stl

2. Glue the ‘insert’ onto the hands.

Note: The fit of these parts will depend on the print quality and resolution of your printer - this is a real test!
Some trimming will be required.

3. Obtain a battery Quartz clock movement (sweep movement, short shafts version):
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/quartz-clock-movement-yu...

4. Remove the movement ‘hanging hook’ if supplied and fix the movement through the face and connect the hands.

Note: The fit of the hands on the shafts will depend on the print quality and resolution of your printer - this is a real test! Some trimming may be required to secure the hands onto each shaft and allow free rotation.

Lightly glue a 100m dia Acrylic disc http://www.sheetplastics.co.uk/Acrylic_Disc_Circl... onto the main body ring.

Step 12: Assembly Instructions – Main Clasp

1. Remove all support material from the printed pieces and position as shown below:

Main_clasp.stl

Clasp_hinge_latch.stl

Clasp_hinge_clasp.stl

Small_clasp.stl

2. Using 3mm filament or dowel, connect all links together.

A 3mm drill may be needed to clean link connections. The ‘pins’ connecting the links will require glueing only to the outer faces .

3. Finally, connect the main clasp to the other bracelet.
Glue the outer connection.

Ensure all links, clasps and hinges ‘fold’ correctly and freely.

Lastly, set clock to correct time - finished!

Enjoy!

3D Printing Contest 2016

Runner Up in the
3D Printing Contest 2016