HDD clock mod

HDD based clock

I was dismantling an old computer, and thought I could make a cool clock with its 3'5 HDD.

So I disconnected all the cables, removed the cover, to get something like this (there are two platters in this model, but we can only see the top one):

You have to remove the screw of the cover of the reading head, so you can move it away from the platters. Then, remove the platter retainer, remove the platters and the ring between them. You are now at this step:

The central motor is press-fitted inside the casing. You should see a small part visible on the other side of the HDD; use a hammer with a small screwdriver to push it out. You now have this:

We do not need to remove anything else, since we have a hole to put the clock shaft in:

Secure the clock mechanism with the provided nut. You can now print the motor replacement piece, to fit it in the hole of the motor cover that we removed before. You can now add all the elements on it, in this order:

• 1st platter
• Inter-platter ring
• 2nd platter
• Printed dial (optional)
• Locking ring. The screws were too small so I didn't manage to model a screw threading in the motor replacement part, so I just put a bit of glue in the bottom of the screws.
• Printed hour hand
• Printed minute hand
• Provided second hand

When everything is assembled, simply push the HDD into the printed frame. There should be slight resistance that keeps the two pieces in place.

Clock mechanism used in this project : 

https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004242852076.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.11.55341802jBpQh9&gatewayAdapt=glo2fra

To be compatible with this design, please use a clock mechanism with the following shaft dimensions:

I reprinted the clock hands, except for the seconds one, which would be hard to fit on the mechanism

Printing recommendations: 

Frame: 0.20 is good enough 

Hands, dial and motor replacement: 0.12 mandatory. 

Print motor replacement with small tree support in this way:

Filaments used : 

• Eryone silk red bronze PLA
• Eryone silk silver PLA