The Torlo: Clock Designer Releases New 3D Printed Model With Simple Oscillating Motor

Born in India but now working in Beijing, Ekaggrat Singh Kalsi is an architect and designer who also meets the very definitions of maker and tinkerer—as well as clockmaker. We have been following his 3D printable designs for several years now, to include such marvels as the Doodle Clock and the HOLO clock. His work is popular, and often leaves you with the impression that a sequel is to follow.

The HOLO Clock

The Doodle Clock gave way to the HOLO’s minimalist and industrial design, offered on Indiegogo last year, with four different easy-to-assemble options for those interested in 3D printing their own time pieces that are engineered in a most innovative way. Now, Kalsi has shared with us his new 3D printed clock design: the Torlo.

While this new clock definitely has Kalsi’s stylish stamp upon it, the Torlo definitely has a different and more distinctive look, reminding us of something vaguely IKEA-ish. The great thing is, you don’t have to go to the trouble of finding one of the massive Swedish furniture warehouses—or dragging your significant other there—as you can just 3D print it yourself, just like Kalsi’s other popular designs.

Even if you are busy using your smartphone as a clock these days like everyone else, the Torlo is worth having as a small work of art in itself—not to mention an obvious conversation piece on any level. Kalsi is currently featuring the 3D printed analog clock on Thingiverse, as well as Mectok. It’s quite fascinating to watch the pieces at work too, as you can see here:

Although he obviously loves the form and the mechanism of the basic clock, Kalsi stated that his motivation for creating the Torlo design was that he challenged himself to use the ‘simple oscillating motor as a power source.’ The progressive clock designer was able to find a perfect fit using the voice coil from laptop parts.

“The voice coil with its powerful magnets has enough brunt to push a bunch of 3d printed gears,” said Kalsi. “The basic idea of the torlo was adapted from the previous holo clock and taken further. The gears of the clock hang to one side and the rings to the other side of the frame.

“The voice coil is located in the center of the drive train and is driven by a attiny pulsing it every 2 seconds. The balance wheel when pulsed pushes a cam and a ratchet to turn the clock 2 seconds further. Rest of the clock is a simple drive train driving the minute and hour rings which display the time.”

Kalsi spends his time designing much more than clocks though, as well as winning several awards for creations such as the Caterpillar, Spire, and Jindal. You can find out more about the designs he has been creating for the last ten years here.

Discuss in the 3D Printed Clock forum at 3DPB.com.