instructables

Automated Perpetual Calendar

by tomatoskins

Years ago I came across a wooden perpetual calendar project will have something for everyone to learn.
and I loved the idea. After thinking about it for
months I decided I wanted to make one myself ;
however, there was a long list of things I wanted to do
to improve on the idea. The most important change I
wanted to make, is to automate the rings. I know me,
and based on current wall calendars not showing the
correct month for some time, if a daily change is
necessary it would likely only be accurate a small
percentage of the year.

Combining microcontrollers, 3D printing,

woodworking, and laser jet image transfer, this

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Materials:

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 Arduino
Stepper Motors
Hall E ect Sensor
Real Time Clock
Power Jack
Power Cable
USB Power Adapter
Heat Shrink Tubing
Hardwood (maple)
Magnets
Wood Glue
Painters Tape
Screws
Polycrylic

Tools:

Table Saw
Segmented Bowl Sled
Spring Clamps
Sandpaper
Printer
3D Printer
Disc Sander
Spindle Sander
1/4 in. Rabbit Bit
Router
Drill
Drill Bits
Band saw
Jig Saw
Soldering Iron

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Step 2: Cut Segments for Seven Segment "Week Day" Ring

Using the same method and calculations shown in my Segmented Bowl instructable, cut 21 segments that are 3/16
Automated Perpetual Calendar: Page 3
in. thick.

Glue together seven segments at a time resulting in three rings that are 3/16 in. thick each. This ring should be able
to t a 10 in. OD and 7 in. ID ring inside.

Step 3: Combine RIngs

I knocked o the corners of the rings, but this is not necessary. Sand the faces of each ring until they are at. I used
80 grit sandpaper glued to my table.

Glue together the three rings so the seams are alternating. This gives the rings high strength from gluing the side
grain of the wood.

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Step 4: Cut and Assemble 12 Segment "Month" Ring

Follow the same math included in my Segmented
Bowl instructable to cut 36 segments for three 12
segment rings 3/16 in. thick.
Glue this ring and the next ring together in smaller
sections. Sand each face as before and combine the
three rings by alternating the seams to increase ring
strength.
This ring should be able to t a 16 in. OD and 13 in. ID
ring inside.

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Step 5: Cut and Assemble 31 Segment "Number of Day" Ring

Follow the same math included in my Segmented
Bowl instructable to cut 93 segments for three 31
segment rings 3/16 in. thick.
Glue this ring and the next ring together in smaller
sections. Sand each face as before and combine the
three rings by alternating the seams to increase ring
strength.
This ring should be able to t a 22 in. OD and 19 in. ID
ring inside.

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Step 6: Apply Ring Template

Print out and tape together the 1:1 template and cut out the individual rings. This will aid in getting the rings the
exact size necessary. There are blue tick marks to help with aligning the template to each segment.

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 Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FHS/H5TE/KCOT2A0U/FHSH5TEKCOT2A0U.pdf
…

Step 7: Trim Each Ring

Using a disc sander and spindle sander, remove the wood to the outside circle of each ring.

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Step 8: Print Ring Gears

Download and print the ve les on this step. The names of each le include a set of numbers. The second number
in the le name indicate how many of that le to print.

Assemble the rings and press three magnets into the at hole (not countersunk screw holes) with the south pole
facing the top. Magnets need to only be included on one segment of each ring.

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 View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F7I/1EF3/KCOT2BQO/F7I1EF3KCOT2BQO.stl
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View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FC9/04W6/KCOT2BQP/FC904W6KCOT2BQP.stl
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View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FGU/BY8U/KCOT2BQQ/FGUBY8UKCOT2BQQ.stl
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View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F20/MIJF/KCOT2BQR/F20MIJFKCOT2BQR.stl
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View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F17/SB3D/KCOT2BQS/F17SB3DKCOT2BQS.stl
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Step 9: Route Ring Gear Groove

Using a 1/4 in. rabbiting bit, cut a rabbit on the back of each ring. If the ring gear doesn't quite t, take light passes

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o the inside of the ring on the spindle sander then re cut the rabbit on the router until it ts. Use a 1/4 in.
roundover bit to smooth the not rabbit edges.

Step 10: Attach Ring Gears

Using the depth stop on the drill press, drill pilot holes through the ring gear into the wooden ring. Secure with
screws.

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Step 11: Print Bracket and Spur Gears

Print o brackets, three spur gears, Arduino mount, and 12 stando s for holding electronics (not shown here) on
this step.

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 View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FE4/MF54/KCP1VVJV/FE4MF54KCP1VVJV.stl
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View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FMW/ZJOP/KCP1VVJW/FMWZJOPKCP1VVJW.stl
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View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FWF/L71M/KCP1VVJX/FWFL71MKCP1VVJX.stl
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View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FMM/CYWZ/KCP1VVJY/FMMCYWZKCP1VVJY.stl
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View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FD8/SGV3/KCP1VVJZ/FD8SGV3KCP1VVJZ.stl
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View in 3D Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F9K/6QYF/KCP1VVXF/F9K6QYFKCP1VVXF.stl
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Step 12: Ring Supports

Cut ring supports from a piece of hardwood that's 3/4 in. thick. Use disc and spindle sanders to re ne shape.

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 Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FNN/S1AY/KCP1VWAA/FNNS1AYKCP1VWAA.pdf
…

Step 13: Attach Stepper and Bracket to Support

Shave the top open part of the bracket down to allow room for the machine screws holding the stepper motor in
place. Drill pilot holes through the bracket and secure with screws.

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Step 14: Add Spline

The brackets needed to be shaved down in a next step. To keep everything aligned, I added a spline across the back
using the table saw.

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Step 15: Cut Front Face

On a 1/4 in. board that measures 13 x 6 in. apply the included template. I used a jig saw to roughly cut the sections
out then smoothed them out with a sanding stick.

Finally use an 1/8 in. roundover bit on the front of the board.

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 Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FRU/N8IK/KCP1VY5P/FRUN8IKKCP1VY5P.pdf
…

Step 16: Attach Supports

Glue supports in place. Position them using the completed rings.

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Step 17: Attach Top and Bottom Standoffs

Attach wooden stando s that measure 6 x 1 1/2 x 1 3/4 in. at the top and bottom. This will hold the rings away from
the wall and give enough clearance for the electronics.

My pieces were just a bit larger, but I trimmed them to t after the glue dried.

Sand and roundover edges.

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Step 18: Attach Lables

For the transfer of ink I used the polycrylic method provided. You can also touch up the labels with a
shown here. It's a simple but time consuming process. sharpie or black paint.

Print o a few copies of the attached PDF so when you Apply 3-4 coats of polycrylic to all rings and face.
mess up you can try again right away. I was impatient
with a few of the labels but I like the rustic look it

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 Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FLX/CZB7/KCP1W1CV/FLXCZB7KCP1W1CV.pdf
…

Step 19: Insert Power Plug

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Drill a hole the size of the threads on your plug. Then carefully drill a larger hole the outside diameter of the plug
until the threads just stick out on the inside of the stando .

Step 20: Assemble Electronics and Upload Code

Following the attached schematic, wire everything up.

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 Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FVX/S1S7/KCP1WJYD/FVXS1S7KCP1WJYD.ino
…

Step 21: Enjoy!

Now hang up your new calendar and always enjoy knowing what date it is without needing to use any brain power.

That's pretty cool TS. Like you, my monthly calendar hanging on the wall is sometimes two months
behind. Fantastic outcome, well done.

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