This project takes an everyday measuring tool and turns it into a timepiece. The motorized tape measure is programmed to increments over the course of the day to show the time in hours, where one inch equals one hour.
This project uses the tape from a pre-existing tape measure. Separated from its original shell, we built a new case to support the mechanism and our electronics. A stepper motor replaced the inner steel spring to drive the tape in and out. It’s controlled by an Arduino nano attached beneath it, along with a real-time clock chip and h-bridge attached on the sides. The real-time clock allows the device to know the time even when unplugged and resume timekeeping when it’s plugged in. All of these electronics are contained in the space inside the metal tape’s spool. Lastly, a limit switch on the front is triggered by the end of the tape and allows us to home the tape measure.
This project was a collaboration with Alex Fiel.
Recognition:
Featured in Raspberry Pi's Hackspace magazine (Not yet published)
More details on the process and prototyping can be found here.
