Sharing the process of making a single-chip integrated digital clock

    Easy to make, beautiful digital clock with WiFi time collection function.

    One-piece structure: consists of only one functional part (except the back cover)

    Overall appearance: When powered off, looks like marble tiles

    Automatically adjust time over WiFi using NTP

    WiFi setup via smartphone

    Supplies

    25 pixel WS2812B (aka Neopixel) LED strip, 60 pixels per meter (16.67mm pitch), not covered by waterproof pipes. I used BTF-LIGHTING products (IP30 non-waterproof).

ESP32 (ESP-WROOM-32) microcomputer. The back cover is specially designed for short ESP32 development boards, such as MH-ET LIVE MiniKit for ESP32 or its compatible products.

    Four 2 x 10mm self-tapping screws

    Wire, soldering iron

    Decorative sheets: refurbished sticker sheets/wallpapers (wood, marble, fabric, etc.)

    Step 1: Print the Monolithic Lightguide

    Use a 3D printer to print a monolithic light guide.

    Print in the pose provided.

    No support is required for printing.

    Overall.stl

    Step 2: Prepare LED Strip

    Cut the LED light strip into 7, 7, 1, 7, 3 (corresponding to 1min, 10min, colon, 1hour, 10hour respectively)

    Reconnect the LED strip with wires (5V, GND, Din/Dout)

    Connect the LED strip to the ESP32 (VCC, GND and GPIO16)

    Check that all LEDs are lit

    Step 3: Glue the LED strip

    Use tape to attach the LED strip to the main body.

    Step 4: Prepare the back cover (optional)

    Print cover.stl in the provided pose. No support required.

    Insert the ESP32 board into the slot.

    Secure the back cover with 4 self-tapping screws.

    cover.stl

    Step 5: Cover with Diffusing Material

    Cover the clock with a thin diffusion material.

    I bought some decorative panels at the 1 dollar store (100 yen store).

    One is natural wood plank (very thin solid wood plank with adhesive).

    The other is marble-like stickers. Both are translucent and diffuse enough.

    It would be nice to use your favorite photo as a diffuser.

    Another idea is to use a half mirror on this clock. In this case, tape copy paper over the entire back of the mirror to diffuse the light.

    Step 6: Flash the Code

    Use the Arduino IDE to flash the code to the ESP32.

    smartConfig.ino

    Step 7: Configure WiFi

    You can configure the ESP32's WiFi settings via a smartphone app. Use smatConfig.ino as Arduino sketch.

    The ESP32 stores the SSID and password in its non-volatile memory.

    If the previous (memorized) SSID and password do not work, it will automatically enter SmartConfig mode after 30 seconds. The clock shows "SC" (meaning SmartConfig).