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Internet Split Flap Weather Clock

Internet controlled weather station that shows the current weather with a split flap display.

sephendevosSephenDeVos
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Internet controlled weather clock that shows the current weather with a split flap display. The weather is retrieved from an API that i build on the openweathermap.org API. It uses an Arduino Nano with an ethernetshield, infra red sensor for correct positioning the display cards and a 28BYJ-48 stepper motor

I'm always intrigued with those large split flap displays that you'll find in train stations. I like the mechanics and the sound. So i wanted to make something that used only one display. So an internet controlled weather clock was the next that came to mind. :)

  • 1 × Arduino nano
  • 1 × Arduino nano Ethernet shield
  • 1 × Infra red sensor
  • 1 × 28byj-48 stepper motor incl controller board
  • 1 × 3d printed materials

View all 9 components

  • Almost done

    SephenDeVos • 03/28/2015 at 12:02 • 0 comments

    Finally had some time to make a video of the "complete" weather clock. The only thing i want to do is make new matte cards instead of the current glossy ones.

  • Attraction

    SephenDeVos • 03/25/2015 at 07:20 • 0 comments

    Drilled eight 5mm holes by hand about 3mm deep in the case and the front panel. Then glued in some 5x3mm magnets that i bought from aliexpress. after that i primed and painted the case. I think the paint will scratch from the magnets. But a black marker will fix that.

  • 3d printed scrap

    SephenDeVos • 03/24/2015 at 12:32 • 0 comments

    A lot of times you have to rethink and remake parts because things change along the way. These are the parts that didn't make it. :)

  • Piecing the frame together

    SephenDeVos • 03/24/2015 at 11:34 • 0 comments

    Space is tight so everything has a fixed place. First i used tie-wraps to secure the wiring but then the frame wouldn't fit in the case no more, now i'm using very strong yarn which works fine.

    A ethernet cable just fits in its slot

  • Modifying the clock case

    SephenDeVos • 03/24/2015 at 10:20 • 0 comments

    I wasn't happy with the opening in the clock front so i removed the front panel and bought a new multiplex 3.6mm panel (0,20 euro cents!). Cut the correct opening in the panel using an jigsaw.

    Sanded the case and used filler to touch up some damaged parts.

  • Motor wiring

    SephenDeVos • 03/24/2015 at 09:14 • 0 comments

    The motor was not turning fast enough and had very little force which resulted in the cogs jamming and showing the wrong position. This was fixed when i found this link (http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/SmallSteppers). On this page i found that my wiring was wrong. If you're using e.g. pin 8, 9, 10, and 11 you must wire them like 8, 10, 9, 11.

    after that this was the result no more jamming...

  • Fitting the IR sensor

    SephenDeVos • 03/24/2015 at 08:58 • 0 comments

    You'll see the IR sensor blink when the display shows the sun symbol and the display stops briefly and then continues to rotate to a fixed position.

  • Adding cogs and motor and Testdrive

    SephenDeVos • 03/24/2015 at 08:28 • 0 comments

    Added the cogs and motor for driving the display

  • Frame expansion and cards

    SephenDeVos • 03/24/2015 at 08:07 • 0 comments

    Test fitting again

    I work for a large print company so I made the card in Ai and printed them on a HP Indigo laminated them using 75u laminating pouches. so they are about 350micron thick.

  • Adding components to the frame

    SephenDeVos • 03/24/2015 at 07:50 • 0 comments

    Added the parts that would hold the cards. Used some F623ZZ bearing that i had laying around from an old 3d printer build.

View all 13 project logs

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Edward AHN wrote 07/07/2016 at 00:11 • point

Hi. I'm edward


i'm korean and i'm engineer..


I think Your project is cool.


So, I want introduce your project. on our web site.


www.wiznetmuseum.com..


Are you okay?

  Are you sure? yes | no

SephenDeVos wrote 07/09/2016 at 06:39 • point

Hi Edward AHN, Sure i have no problem with that.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Dave Ehnebuske wrote 10/18/2015 at 14:07 • point

A great idea, nicely built. It should make you smile every time you see it change.

  Are you sure? yes | no

SephenDeVos wrote 10/19/2015 at 05:50 • point

Thanks! it does.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Neon22 wrote 05/31/2015 at 11:02 • point

Nice job. Will you be releasing any files. Online I found these variants:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:840212/#instructions

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:544312/#files

https://github.com/Fablabsitges/BeachLab_flip_flap

http://unknowndomain.co.uk

  Are you sure? yes | no

Adam Fabio wrote 05/29/2015 at 03:57 • point

Hey @SephenDeVos this is an awesome project! Any chance you will release the source code and STL files so we can build our own? I may not have the same donor clock, but I do have a few woodworking tools I could use to create a custom case :) 

  Are you sure? yes | no

Toby Jackson wrote 04/03/2015 at 22:07 • point

Great idea! How long did it take you to get the sizing right for the cards!? Did you find some plans for the split flap gearing and mechanism, or plenty of trial and error?

I see you've got a stepper motor to give the precision needed to stop at the right positions; but I wonder how you calibrate for initial setup; is that what the IR inputs for?

I wonder if a small magnet at the base of the flip, with a paperclip along the base of the cards would stop the flapping when they rotate; Probably cause more issues than it's worth but it might make for more of a 'snap' when the positions change...

  Are you sure? yes | no

SephenDeVos wrote 04/04/2015 at 10:41 • point

Thanks! Basically trial and error, Before I had the donor clock i wanted to make the cards about 100x50mm so the total image would be 100x100mm. I had to cut them to size twice but that only took a few minutes, just made one and used that as a template.

Yep, the IR sensor is for positioning the cards, everytime when the cards will pass the home position the home position is set to zero.
The clock only updates every half hour (and "flips" only if the weather changes) so it's not constantly rotating and i don't want to stress the stepper to much.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Scott wrote 03/28/2015 at 16:17 • point

This thing is absolutely awesome .. love it.

  Are you sure? yes | no

SephenDeVos wrote 03/29/2015 at 10:20 • point

Thanks!

  Are you sure? yes | no

davedarko wrote 03/24/2015 at 10:21 • point

first thing I had in mind was "beauty" said in the tone of Dave Jones from the EEVblog. 

  Are you sure? yes | no

SephenDeVos wrote 03/24/2015 at 10:33 • point

Thanks! :)

  Are you sure? yes | no

davedarko wrote 04/04/2015 at 12:13 • point

whoops, must have clicked the skull twice because of awesomeness :D hope that now the skull stays!

  Are you sure? yes | no

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