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Finishing mechanical construction
01/07/2019 at 23:44 • 0 commentsNext step for this build was to install electronics into wired frame. OLED module was glued to the frame using double sided tape(wrapper around wired frame). Switches and header connector were glue using two component epoxy while MCU was fixed with dab of hot plastic on the bottom.
After all electronics were installed and tested I installed the glass lens. Lens just snaps into place with no glue used. This makes it easy to remove the lens to get access to electronics. 22mm NATO strap with navy camo pattern(to match the colour of OLED) is used.
I really like how the watch turned out. OLED looks super bright and sharp while magnifier lens gives it that unique distorted look. Only thing I would like to change is to show bigger part of the circuit through the lens(to adjust layout of components).
Here is video demonstrating finished watch (well, almost still need to tweak software). Hope you like it:
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Making the case
01/07/2019 at 00:45 • 0 commentsI started this project by first making the functional circuit. Brain of this watch is ATMEGA328P-AU microcontroller running arduino. Information is displayed on 128x64 0.96" OLED screen. Three button are used to control the watch functions and female pin header is used to program the watch via UART(and to charge the battery). I used only basic stuff since circuit will be suspended in the air.
To make thing easier i designed and printed template of the circuit so I could easier route the wires. MCU is in QFP-32 package with 0.8mm pitch. Wires used for traces are 0.3mm and passive components are in 0603 package.
Watch body is made out of 1.7 and 0.8mm thick copper wire. For bending, same template was used in addition with 3D printed plastic ring. Rotary tool was used to grind excess solder from joints.
After assembly body was sanded using 180, 240 and 240 grit abrasive discs then finished up with brass brush and polished using polishing compound.
For case cover I will be using old power led lens(bought on eBay, never used). It will act as a sort of magnifier for OLED screen and will add cool distortion effect.
Since project is made with recycled parts, I need to restore this used battery that will be used to power the watch. Battery is lithium-polymer with 110mAh capacity. Should be enough for 6-7 hours of active time, or 30-35 days in sleep with moderate use of OLED and other watch functions.