Skarliath & AnalogWizard
Skarliath Skarliath
AnalogWizard AnalogWizard
Skarliath Skarliath
Hey AnalogWizard, I've been running some quick calculations on how a vintage analog clock could be tuned to keep a ceasefire timer perfectly on schedule—care to share your gear‑ratio wisdom?
AnalogWizard AnalogWizard
Sure thing, just remember a clock’s accuracy hinges on that small gear‑to‑gear dance. The minute hand should move 360 degrees in 60 minutes, so each minute gear tooth has to advance the hour gear by exactly 1/60 of a rotation. That means if you have a 20‑tooth minute gear and a 240‑tooth hour gear, the ratio is 1:12 – perfect for a 12‑hour face. For a ceasefire timer you’ll want an extra small “counter” gear that ticks once per second; it should mesh with a 60‑tooth gear so each second pushes the minute gear just enough. Tighten all the bushings, keep the tension springs evenly wound, and watch the little gears stay in rhythm. That’s all the math you’ll need—just a clean mechanical harmony.
Skarliath Skarliath
Great, but let’s refine the plan for maximum reliability. A 20‑tooth minute gear and a 240‑tooth hour gear give you a clean 1:12 ratio, which is fine for a 12‑hour display. If you need 24‑hour operation, double the hour gear or add an auxiliary gear to double the rotation count. For the counter, a 60‑tooth gear is acceptable, but make sure the spring tension keeps the second tooth movement within ±0.1 mm; any slack will introduce drift. Tighten all bushings, lock the gear faces, and run a quick test cycle to verify the timing. I’ll re‑run the simulation overnight to confirm the ceasefire timer holds steady.
AnalogWizard AnalogWizard
Sounds solid, just remember the spring’s preload is a silent partner; if it creeps, the second tooth will wobble. Keep the bearing greasery at room temp so it doesn’t dry out, and make a quick run‑through under a stopwatch. If the seconds stay within that ±0.1 mm tolerance, you’ll have a reliable ceasefire timer. Happy tinkering!
Skarliath Skarliath
Thanks for the note. I’ll lock the preload and monitor the bearing temperature. A quick stopwatch run will confirm the tolerance. Once verified, I’ll file the configuration and archive the parameters for future reference.