You have two options for creating your faceplate: it can be lasercut or 3D printed.
There are two versions of this faceplate available. One uses a blocky, stencil font, and the other uses a thinner, Helvetica-based font adapted for this project. The files are available on github in STL and SVG form:
https://github.com/andydoro/Wordclock-Wristwatch/tree/master/faceplates%20%26%20housing
Files are also available on Thingiverse.
Laser cutting
If you want to laser cut your own faceplate, it is recommended that you use a materical such as 1.5mm thick acrylic or something thinner. For acrylic, cut the faceplate with the text mirrored (see image below) so that it appears backwards while being cut. This ensures that the sharp, detailed edges on the underside are face up when installed on the timesquare watch, giving the display a crisp and easy-to-read quality.
The faceplate should be exactly 1.5" (38.1mm) on a side to match the outline of the timesquare watch.
3D printing
3D printing allows you to experiment with a wide range of materials and properties for your faceplate. If you're using an FDM printer to make your faceplate, make sure you have a 0.4mm nozzle or smaller installed on your printer to best capture the small text. A slow print speed is essential for this faceplate, and filaments with a shore hardness of ~100A yield the best results.
If you're interested in having the faceplate printed for you, they are also available through Shapeways.
Page last edited March 08, 2024
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