Semester Project - WATTWINS Clock

1 Introduction

The Micromechanical and Horological Design Laboratory (Instant-Lab) developed a novel family of 2-DOF horological oscillators (isoSpring). Contrary to the classical 1-DOF oscillator (hair spring-balance wheel), it does not need an escapement. The escapement is by far the most complicated part of a timekeeping movement, and thus the new 2-DOF oscillator promises considerable simplification. A possible implementation is the WATTWINS mechanism, a dynamically balanced 2-DOF flexure-based oscillator.

2 Goal of the Project

The goal is to retrofit a WATTWINS prototype to a commercially available table clock by replacing the pendulum and escapement. A mechanical interface between the clock movement and the oscillator has to be designed and manufactured. (a) Example of a table clock (b) WATTWINS prototype

3 Required Background

• Interest in watchmaking

• Mechanical design

• CAD

4 Deliverables

• Final report

• Two oral presentations (mid and end of semester)

• Mechanism design, 3D files

• Manufactured prototype

5 Administration

• Location: EPFL Associated campus of Neuchatel

• Section: IGM or other interested

• Contact: roland.bitterli@epfl.ch