I present to you, the Star Trek Clock. Where no clock has clocked before!

This is the first clock in a series I plan to make, using my own Top Secret proprietary MCS (Modular Clock System). The idea is, when you get bored of the aesthetics, changing the face is easy. Simply remove the inner pieces and replace them with another! The base and the mount will be reusable.

The pieces are oriented so they pick up the texture of the build plate, so if you have a galaxy or starry build plate, it will look extra Sci Fi! I went through several iterations trying to get a good finish with conventional multicolored print, but the reality of FDM printing is that the top surface is always the worst looking, so I made this model with texture of the build plate in mind.

Assembly is explained in the image below.

Simply fit the pieces inside the frame, the friction will hold them in. The orange piece should be inserted first, align it to the top layer lines. Insert the rest of the pieces (gray, black and yellow). Once done, screw in the mechanism itself, and that baby ain't goin no where! Seriously, I dropped it twice and it held together!

The numbers... they are a challenge alright! But for your convenience, I designed a number/letter alignment jig, that is offset from the main surface so the glue doesn't glue the jig along with the letters!

I recommend any invisible glue you have around and use it sparingly, you do not need much of it. I used plastic magic that leaves no residue and melts the PLA a bit. If you are using super glue, use a little on the back to make sure the plastic doesn't change color.

If you want, you can just use the 12-3-6-9 system and be done with it, but for extra pain in the butt, I suggest you go all in! It took me just under 15 minutes to glue the letters and numbers.

Want it desk mounted or wall mounted? No problem! Print the wall frame or the desk frame, the piece takes 20 minutes to print and slots into the main disc and clips on to the Bambu Labs Clock Kit.

 

Not Federation? I knew you had the heart of a warrior!

The Klingon Empire Clock

Edits:

Added some extra minute and hour options

Added a revised desktop stand… the other one failed miserably