Pendulum Clock
Fig: My Completed Pendulum Clock
Objective:
Design a pendulum, fabricate a model clock mechanism, and analyze its timing.
Compare analytical prediction to experimental result of clock timing.
Make a cool design for the pendulum!
Fig : 3D Model of Pendulum
Fig: AutoCAD Sketch for Lasercutting
How?
The pendulum was designed in Fusion 360. The sketch was then transported to AutoCad and prepared using AutoCad for use by a laser cutter.
Clock was fabricated using various machine shop tools such as drill press, press etc.
Before assembly, theoretical analysis was done using two assumptions: (i) Point Mass Analysis (where the entire mass of the pendulum is assumed to be concentrated at a point) and (ii) Rigid Body Analysis (this analysis takes into account the entire body of the pendulum and the rotational inertia that influences the time period of one rotation of the escapement wheel).
Results (See Clock Report for details):
After assembly, the measured time of one revolution of the escapement wheel was 10.54 seconds.
Calculated time of one revolution of the escapement wheel using a point mass assumption was 8.685 seconds, i.e., an error of 17.6%
Calculated time of one revolution of the escapement wheel using a rigid body assumption was 10.3448 seconds, i.e., an error of 1.85%
Fig: Physical Properties and Moment of Inertia values of Pendulum obtained from Fusion 360 for use in analysis.
Clock Report_Arham Nawaf.pdfPendulum Clock Report
Video of Working Clock!