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DIY Automated Watch Cleaning Machine

SwissSeiko
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SwissSeiko WRT Addict

SwissSeiko

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Hello everyone. As promised, I am showing off my diy cleaning machine. This was built with NEMA 23 stepper motors, controllers, a power supply, and an Arduino nano. I will list the parts used below when I'm at my computer. The frame is made from 3030 extruded aluminum, which I had made by Misumo online. The cleaning basket was purchased in eBay. Some miscellaneous parts needed are an 8mm shaft, some couplers, buttons, and wire. The codes I wrote for it can be completely adjusted and changed however it is needed. I have since adjusted the speed the linear shaft moves up and down. In the future, I plan to add another stepper motor to include a turntable at the base, with 4 jars, so the entire cleaning process is one process. Right now I still need to get jars that fit, and to build a fan for a drying cycle. 

 

Please post any questions you might have, and if you're interested in the code used to build your own. 

 

 

 

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Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

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42 minutes ago, SwissSeiko said:

Hello everyone. As promised, I am showing off my diy cleaning machine. This was built with NEMA 23 stepper motors, controllers, a power supply, and an Arduino nano. I will list the parts used below when I'm at my computer. The frame is made from 3030 extruded aluminum, which I had made by Misumo online. The cleaning basket was purchased in eBay. Some miscellaneous parts needed are an 8mm shaft, some couplers, buttons, and wire. The codes I wrote for it can be completely adjusted and changed however it is needed. I have since adjusted the speed the linear shaft moves up and down. In the future, I plan to add another stepper motor to include a turntable at the base, with 4 jars, so the entire cleaning process is one process. Right now I still need to get jars that fit, and to build a fan for a drying cycle. 

 

Please post any questions you might have, and if you're interested in the code used to build your own. 

 

 

 

Coming along nicely SS, neat set-up 👍

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SwissSeiko WRT Addict

SwissSeiko

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On 12/30/2024 at 8:17 AM, WaveyDavey said:

Wow, looks cool. I would love to collaborate with you on this. I was about to start building something similar. The physical build is not the issue for me it’s the code, so if you are cool with sharing I would love to build one.

 

Once I have the code cleaned up, I can share it with you. It wasn't as easy as I thought to code it, as I had written a full program for it before I Had the parts, and the code didn't work. So I started from scratch and had to use a different library, which is like changing languages practically. Its working well now, and has cleaned a movement quite well, but I still want to clean up some snags that it currently has.

 

 

 

 

I have recently purchased a 3D printer for my business, a Bambu Labs P1S. Its quite the machine, and fully enclosed, which I wanted for cleanliness and noise. With this, I plan on designing and printing some new parts for the cleaning machine, namely a cleaning basket that I can use on higher end watches that I don't want to scratch with the typical steel mesh baskets. I will also make a panel for the buttons to attach to on the front of the machine, and an enclosure for the power supply and stepper drivers. This project has taken me longer than I thought, but I'm still ahead quite a bit of cash when compared to commercially made automatic cleaners which range from $5,000-$6,000. When I started this, I had toyed with the idea of setting these up as a kit, with my code and all the parts needed, to sell to other watchmakers. I'm not sure that is feasible at the moment, as I am very backed up with repairs. 

 

I'll keep updating this post with changes I make to the machine, and I'll gladly take any design advice from other forum members that might see a better way to do things.

Edited by SwissSeiko
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SwissSeiko WRT Addict

SwissSeiko

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I have started printing things for my cleaning machine, and started with these basket inserts. They fit quite well, although I haven't tested the resistance to chemicals. These were printed in the standard filament that comes with the printer, as the filament I ordered is still on its way. I ended up printing many more of these so I can have a few disassembled movements ready in baskets while it's in use.

PXL_20250108_012952754.jpg

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SwissSeiko WRT Addict

SwissSeiko

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I'm back again with another small update. The machine is working well, and I finally printed a panel for the buttons to attach to. One thing I was struggling with, was inserting and removing the baskets. You kind of have to just drop them in and sometimes they land crooked. So to fix that, I designed and printed this little helper. 

 

 

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SwissSeiko WRT Addict

SwissSeiko

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Another small update. All these loose basket parts were annoying. So I designed and printed this holder. Having a printer is too much fun!

 

On a side note, I had some case parts in one of these baskets going through the ultrasonic after polishing. I had it heated to 40C and totally forgot about them for about 2 hours. As expected, the parts basket melted a bit and is discolored. These are printed in just PLA, so I didn't expect them to be resilient.  I will probably end up printing them in ABS in the future, but for now, they work just fine.

 

PXL_20250120_050402772.jpg

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SwissSeiko WRT Addict

SwissSeiko

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1 hour ago, KiwiKlockworks said:

Great work so far!

I was toying with the idea of making one (non automated) and was struggling with the main motor and motor controller choice.

what did you use if you don’t mind me asking?

The motor is a nema 23 stepper. The driver is a DM556. the controller is an arduino nano

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