DIY: sundial showing time in numbers

The enthusiast of 3D printing and the author of the blog Mojoptix , acting under the nickname Julldozer , presented his project of “digital sundial”. The clocks work according to the traditional for the sundial pattern: they must be set in the sun and sent to the north. An interesting feature of these watches are specially made slots, thanks to which in the shadow of the case ( gnomon ) of the clock you can see the current time in the form of familiar numbers.

The configuration of the slots is painstakingly calculated by the author and embodied in the form of a 3D project, available for download and printing by everyone. The project also posted on the platform Thingiverse , where enthusiasts share information about their handicrafts. Judging by the counter of this project, many users have already liked the idea, and several dozen people even printed out a copy of such watches.


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However, if you need an original souvenir or a gift, but you don’t have a 3D printer on hand, the author even gives you the opportunity to purchase this funny device for $ 80 in the Etsy gift shop .

The author rightly notes that such a device can most likely be made only with the help of a 3D printer - because the design of the internal holes is too complicated to make using standard methods like casting. Also, the author advises to use for the manufacture of watches ABS plastic, which is better tolerated in direct sunlight.

The author kindly gives special advice for those fans of this hobby who live in the southern hemisphere of our planet - for geometrical reasons, in a three-dimensional editor of the project, the design of the clock should be displayed so that it turns upside down and direct the finished case to the south pole instead of the north pole.