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DIY Watch Cleaning Machine: 'Akrid'

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Akrid New Member

Akrid

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Hello everyone!

This is my first post here on WatchRepairTalk, and I wanted to share a project I've been working on—a DIY Watch Cleaning Machine that I designed and built myself. Since it's difficult to find a good-quality machine at a reasonable price, I decided to use my engineering skills and create one. Why not, right?

Look at a demonstration video on my instagram page. You can follow this page if you are interested in my watchmaking journey!
Demonstration video of Akrid the Watch Cleaning Machine

I named this machine after my alias from the Dutch watch forum, Akrid (which is also my alias here). It features three stations: one for cleaning and two for rinsing. The final cycle is for drying the watch parts, allowing the movement to be reassembled immediately after the cleaning process. I've been using it for two months now, and it's been working flawlessly! The cleaning results are far superior to what I used to get with my ultrasonic cleaner.

See the cleaning results here: 

Cleaning results of Akrid

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the design!

Akrid_design.png

Akrid_picture.png

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  • 4 weeks later...
Akrid New Member

Akrid

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On 10/5/2024 at 5:10 PM, htodd said:

How difficult was it to put together? Have you published any of the construction details like 3d printing files?

Thanks.

Sorry, I was not planning to publish the files as every 3D printer has different tolerances and quality. This keeps people asking me for updates and modifications. I had this problem a few times before with grabcad in the reprap era 🥲.

 

On 10/6/2024 at 4:12 AM, fclass308 said:

You might be able to make some money off of that.  👍

Well, we have a small test group in the Netherlands. I hope to finish this batch by the end of the year such that they can use the device. Let’s see how that goes,  however, considering the price I ask for one device, this would most likely not be worth doing all the time. Nevertheless, I like building a few, and also to see fellow hobbyist using my designed machine. 

htodd New Member

htodd

Posted
Posted

Ah, I understand. I doubt I'd be able to source the same jars that you have. But if you're willing to share any info, let me know. My degree is in electrical engineering and I think I could probably figure something out. Now that I think of it, I could probably wire up a drill motor for part of it.

  • 1 month later...
neevo WRT Addict

neevo

Posted
Posted
On 10/11/2024 at 2:57 AM, htodd said:

Ah, I understand. I doubt I'd be able to source the same jars that you have. But if you're willing to share any info, let me know. My degree is in electrical engineering and I think I could probably figure something out. Now that I think of it, I could probably wire up a drill motor for part of it.

Do you have some guidance on the controller for a motor? It’s an interesting concept to engineer.

I’ve just finished a record cleaning machine for an US cleaner. So this just seems like a more elaborate device:

 

IMG_1314.thumb.jpeg.98e37f9f00a4711868e694a11c69c4a7.jpeg

caseback WRT Addict

caseback

Posted
Posted (edited)

Does your machine have any way to cover the jars when spinning off the excess liquid? 

If it hasn't, you might consider making something like there is on this Roth Freres machine (still in it's "original" 😀 state..).

17321713284346735662562416415720.jpg

17321713586247863611278692749452.jpg

Edited by caseback
Added option
  • 1 month later...
WaveyDavey New Member

WaveyDavey

Posted
Posted

Love the machine, I was about to embark myself on making something similar. I am based in Amsterdam and would be great if I could pick your brains sometime on any pitfalls you encountered. 

  • 3 weeks later...
HaxSmash New Member

HaxSmash

Posted
Posted

For those looking to DIY a machine, I like to point out that the control electronics and firmware from the KiwiCleaner is freely available as open source hardware and software.  

this gives you tunable cycle speeds, oscillation times, durations, heater preheat/cooldown, spinoff etc.  it could be a good starting point. 

PCB and Gerbers:

https://github.com/futurexdesign/KiwiBoard  or order a PCB from preloaded gerbers at  https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/KiwiBoard_Upgrade_Board_9522878a.html


Firmware: https://github.com/futurexdesign/KiwiBoardFirmware 

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