Hi All,

I’ve been working on this project for some time now and I’m at point where I’m unsure if I should rethink the design do to readability.

So I designed these PCB stepper motors with a built in reduction, with each stepper motor representing a single segment in a 7 segment display. Looking for people to share there opinion.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

What does it do?

 

It's a 7 segment display. Each segment rotates showing either black or white making up a number. The attached image shows a five.

 

Here is a quick video of one motor.

 

Maybe Neon Orange or White? The black doesn't do much... Or maybe use a real 7 segment LIT display.

 

I'm thinking maybe bright red instead of black.

 

It might be a little better if the segment faces were square. But that could cause collision problems, you'd need to program around.

 

I’m at point where I’m unsure if I should rethink the design do to readability.

Okay, I get it now. I agree. There's not enough contrast.

Here is a quick video of one motor.

Post it on YouTube. Many of us won't open sip files from strangers.

 

It might be a little better if the segment faces were square. But that could cause collision problems, you'd need to program around.

I'm thinking on changing the shape but collisions like you mentioned does create a problem to would need to be addressed.

 

Here is a youtube link for the video.

 

Hello,

It seems to be rather slow.
When you could flip the segment, it would be much faster.
See here for an example:
http://lampes-et-tubes.info/cd/cd170.php?l=e

Bertus

 

I'm thinking on changing the shape but collisions like you mentioned does create a problem to would need to be addressed.

Just activate the segments with a short delay to avoid collisions. Change the horizontal segments first, then the top two vertical segments followed by the bottom two vertical segments. The delay need only be long enough to allow the corners to clear the fouling points and otherwise can be nearly simultaneous.

 

Hello,

It seems to be rather slow.
When you could flip the segment, it would be much faster.
See here for an example:
http://lampes-et-tubes.info/cd/cd170.php?l=e

Bertus

Bertus,
I would like to make it faster but the stepper motor steps become unreliable any faster then what it currently is. I could try a flipping movement though.

 

@bertus

Your picture gave me an idea. Rotating a segment orthogonally to its axis, requires more time to change (and more speed) and is more sensitive to positioning.

If @KCHARROIS were to rotate the segments axially, the force needed, the distance to travel would be minimized, would complete faster and be less dependent on positioning.

As far as positioning, one could use tiny neodymium magnets and Hall sensors to provide feedback on the segment’s position. But that may be overkill

 

@bertus

Your picture gave me an idea. Rotating a segment orthogonally to its axis, requires more time to change (and more speed) and is more sensitive to positioning.

If @KCHARROIS were to rotate the segments axially, the force needed, the distance to travel would be minimized, would complete faster and be less dependent on positioning.

As far as positioning, one could use tiny neodymium magnets and Hall sensors to provide feedback on the segment’s position. But that may be overkill

@djsfantasi
Could you elaborate on rotating the segments axially?

 

I've been thinking about building a "geek clock" for a while now... your idea might be the perfect fit for said project

 

You have taken a step backwards.



Why would anyone want to use mechanics when light output is so much more easy to implement.

 

You have taken a step backwards.

View attachment 223178

Why would anyone want to use mechanics when light output is so much more easy to implement.

Yeah I get a lot of feedback like that. It's kind of like why do they make watches so complex? I enjoy watching the moving mechanism.

 

Why would anyone want to use mechanics when light output is so much more easy to implement

I'd say it's the appeal of the "geek factor" ... complicating a simple task a little bit is always romantic for people like us.

 

I've been thinking about building a "geek clock" for a while now... your idea might be the perfect fit for said project

I can’t draw it, but consider one segment. The stepper would be mounted outside the outline of the 7 segments so that its axle is in line with the middle of the segment. The segment would be a cylinder with a diameter of the segment width and along the axis, would be painted with black stripes.

Using some numbers for an example, if the segment length is 2” and it’s width is 1/2”, to move your design requires the stepper to move 1.57”. With an axial mount, the stepper would only have to move 1/2 the distance or 0.78”.

Plus the mass of the segments would be much less. Also, instead of a cylinder, you could use a segment with two 1/2”x2” rectangles glued into an X