KEvronista's Lego Clock (Featuring Arnfield Escapement)

[DLuders]

KEvronista posted YouTube video instructions to build this ACCURATE Lego Clock featuring an "Arnfield Escapement" mechanism. He wrote,

"This is my version of an eight-legged arnfield regulator in Lego. It features a seconds pendulum with "knife edge" suspension, ratcheting cog wheels and an adjustment screw for the 12 oz. bob. The two 12 oz. weights drop at a rate of 2"/hr; with 60" chains, it'll run for 30 hours.

It also features a gearless face; by using a tread hub (32007) and a 16t clutch gear (6542) as a flange, I've managed to put all of the hand movement gearing behind the face.

Still photo details can be viewed here: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=480826 .

Update (7/28/11): The clock has been running for 30 days now without a hitch...I've improved the coriolis effect/sympathetic vibration correction....In that time, the clock has lost what appears to be about half a minute...."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxAVy--IoBA

Building Instruction Video 1 -- "This is the first of three videos detailing the constuction and tuning of my lego clock with Arnfield escapement ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxAVy--IoBA ). This video shows the construction of the housing" [in bright-colored bricks for ease of viewing]:

"The second video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XEq3JlEtQA ) shows the construction of the arms, arbors, weights and pendulum. The third video ( coming soon ) will be a tutorial on tuning the escapement."

Edited September 28, 2012 by Ricecracker
Removed video...

[Superkalle]

That is really cool.

I think however this should go in the Technic section. I'll move it there. Hope that is OK?

[KEvron]

hey! you stole my videos! expect to hear from my lawyer.

heh.

i do hope someone will attempt to build the thing, not as a matter of vanity, but it'd be nice to have independent verification, just to assure the skeptics. i haven't yet made the tutorial video, but i'm happy to answer any questions in the meantime.

KEvron

[DLuders]

@ KEvron: Welcome to Eurobricks! How many weeks/months/years did it take you to fine-tune your clock design? It's got to be the most accurate, long-running mechanical Lego clock design. Were you inspired by other Lego clock builders?

[KEvron]

@ KEvron: Welcome to Eurobricks! How many weeks/months/years did it take you to fine-tune your clock design? It's got to be the most accurate, long-running mechanical Lego clock design. Were you inspired by other Lego clock builders?

thanks for the warm welcome, and for the gracious commendation.

since my re-introduction to lego a decade ago, i've focused almost exclusively on clocks. it's been on-again-off-again in that time, and even when it's on-again, i'm easily distracted, so the question of "how long to build?" is a tough one to answer. it was last fall that i attempted the arnfield escapement. proof of concept came rather quickly, but i fret ad absurdum over minor details, so the finished piece took another several weeks. even then, i continue to tinker on the thing. anal retention is actually a good trait for a clockmaker!

the idea of a lego clock was one i'd had since i was kid, so i can't say that anyone inspired me per se. however, i did find great encouragement in the successes of others. leo dorst freely offered his design. eric harshbarger's grandfather clock set the standard. benvandewaal has mastered the art of the lego escapement. horolego (as i like to call it) is a rather esoteric pursuit; i've taken it upon myself to try to foster a sense of community among its pursuers.

KEvron

[timslegos]

Nice clock. That must have taken forever to adjust so perfectly! How long will the clock run for?

tim

[KEvron]

How long will the clock run for?

it's not really a matter of how long it will run as it is of drop rate. the weights on this clock drop at a rate of 2"/hr (5.1cm/hr); after 24 hours, the weights will have dropped a total of 48" (1.2m). a proper "1 day clock" should run for 30 hours before the weight must be reset, and so i've added sufficient chain length to this clock to achieve that duration.

KEvron

[timslegos]

it's not really a matter of how long it will run as it is of drop rate. the weights on this clock drop at a rate of 2"/hr (5.1cm/hr); after 24 hours, the weights will have dropped a total of 48" (1.2m). a proper "1 day clock" should run for 30 hours before the weight must be reset, and so i've added sufficient chain length to this clock to achieve that duration.

KEvron

When i first read the previous post it thought you meant it has been running for 30 days without resetting the weight. Never mind then.

tim

[KEvron]

thought you meant it has been running for 30 days without resetting the weight.

no, i'm afraid not. 24 hours has been challenging enough.

KEvron

Edited November 2, 2011 by KEvron

[KEvron]

after a few weeks of heel dragging, i've finally put the finishing touches on the final instructional video.

Edited November 8, 2011 by KEvron

[DLuders]

@ KEvron: Your YouTube video 3 is very good! Folks will appreciate the many annotations and closeups of the various assemblies. Have you ever shown this clock at a public Lego convention?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQiN8OBlQ_w

[KEvron]

Have you ever shown this clock at a public Lego convention?

never have. i'm not a member of any local user groups. it's do-able, though. i've displayed it in the homes of friends and family by means of a stand i built for it out of lego and a double-weighted pendulum (allows me to make the pendulum shorter; the stand is only 64L tall). i've considered a public viewing, but the notion doesn't exactly overwhelm me. i'm not partial to crowds.

KEvron

[Nachapon Lego]

Very good job! I will try to buid one when have 3 more 40T gears and tons of chains. Can I replace chains with rope?

LDD WIP My link My link. I can send lxf file to you when done.

Edited November 9, 2011 by bbqqq

[KEvron]

Can I replace chains with rope?

of course. rope, string or monofilament. however, the cogs for this piece are designed for chains. you'd have to redesign that part of the clock. add a winding system, preferably with a differential.

LDD WIPMy link.

huh. it's demanding that i log in. i've never encountered that before when cruising flickr.

KEvron

Edited November 8, 2011 by KEvron

[DLuders]

@ bbqqq: I'm logged into Flickr, but your link is saying that your "Photo is private." Please change the "Permissions" setting on the photo so that the public can view it; thanks.

[Nachapon Lego]

Oops! I forgot that. It sholud work now.

Edited November 9, 2011 by bbqqq

[KEvron]

LDD WIP

neato! really, i'm honored.

I can send lxf file to you when done.

i'm pretty much done with that clock. i've moved on to other projects. being a luddite, i wouldn't know what to do with the file, but feel free to share it with anyone who wants to build the clock.

KEvron

[Nachapon Lego]

neato! really, i'm honored.

i'm pretty much done with that clock. i've moved on to other projects. being a luddite, i wouldn't know what to do with the file, but feel free to share it with anyone who wants to build the clock.

KEvron

Thanks, It's done. I will share the lxf file it on LDD forum.

Edited November 9, 2011 by bbqqq

[KEvron]

Thanks, It's done.

it's really cool! i'm gonna have to look into ldd.

KEvron

[Nachapon Lego]

it's really cool! i'm gonna have to look into ldd.

KEvron

LDD LXF file here.

Thanks again.

[KEvron]

you probably want to remove this video.

KEvron

[DLuders]