Summary of 3D PRINTED MECHANICAL CONTRAPTION SHOWS LIVE WEATHER FORECAST
This article describes a mechanical weather display project by [Mike] for his "Mikey Makes" video. The device uses 3D-printed gears, levers, and arms to physically represent live weather conditions like sunshine, clouds, rain, and snow, inspired by BBC symbols. An Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 fetches data via an API to control stepper motors and servos through motor driver ICs, with micro-switches and optical detectors ensuring precise movement.
Parts used in the Mechanical Weather Display:
- BBC-inspired brightly coloured indicators
- Gears
- Lever systems
- Swinging arms
- 3D printed components
- Sunshine ray folding mechanism
- Arduino MKR WiFi 1010
- Open weather API
- Motor driver ICs
- Stepper motors
- Servos
- Micro-switches
- Optical detectors
“What’s the weather going to be like today?” is a question that’s near-permanently on the mind of those living in places like Britain, where brilliant sunshine can follow thick clouds, only to turn into drizzle an hour later. Nowadays you simply need to glance at your phone to know whether you need to pack an umbrella, but where’s the fun in that? Why not have a huge mechanical display to show you a summary of today’s weather?
As a fan of automatons and other contraptions filled with gears and pulleys, [Mike] decided to build just such a machine for his latest Mikey Makes video. It uses brightly coloured indicators inspired by the BBC’s famous “fluffy cloud” symbols that can show various combinations of sunshine, clouds, rain and snow. These symbols are moved around by dozens of gears, levers, swinging arms and other moving parts which were all 3D printed. We especially like the system that folds out rays of sunshine from behind the cloud; you can see it working in the video embedded below.
Live weather data is fetched through an open weather API by an Arduino MKR WiFi 1010. This then drives the mechanical system through a pair of motor driver ICs. The heavy work is performed by stepper motors and servos, while micro-switches and optical detectors determine the end point of each movement.
If you’re into weather displays, you’re in luck: we’ve featured many different styles over the years, including e-paper screens, analog gauges, split-flap displays and even a miniature recreation of the local weather.
Source: 3D PRINTED MECHANICAL CONTRAPTION SHOWS LIVE WEATHER FORECAST
- What inspired the visual design of the weather symbols?
The symbols were inspired by the BBC's famous fluffy cloud symbols. - How are the weather symbols moved around the display?
They are moved by dozens of gears, levers, swinging arms, and other moving parts that were all 3D printed. - Which component is responsible for fetching live weather data?
Live weather data is fetched through an open weather API by an Arduino MKR WiFi 1010. - What drives the mechanical system after the data is fetched?
The system is driven through a pair of motor driver ICs. - Which motors perform the heavy work in this project?
Heavy work is performed by stepper motors and servos. - How does the system determine the end point of each movement?
Micro-switches and optical detectors determine the end point of each movement. - Can you describe the specific mechanism for showing sunshine?
The system features a mechanism that folds out rays of sunshine from behind the cloud. - Why did the creator decide to build this machine instead of using a phone?
The creator wanted to add fun and automate the process rather than simply glancing at a phone.
