What is this?

This is a 3D printed Electromagnetic 7 Segment display. 7 Bifilar Coils are wound around 3D printed bobbins. The magnetic field created by the coils will either attract or repel the 7 individual segments, showing or hiding the segments to display the desired Digit.

When the segments are moving they make a satisfying clicking sound.

Don't enjoy the clicking sound at night..... add a photoresistor to your project or write your code for quiet time.

Why did you make it?

This size display is difficult to come by and expensive, if you can find them at all. I liked the sound they make and wanted to see if i could make my own. I am very happy with the results and wanted to make it available to others that enjoy this type of display. I hope you enjoy them as much as i do.

What makes it special?

These displays can easily be chained together. Up to 8 displays can be chained together. They can be easily controlled with an Arduino. With only 6 connections from your Arduino you are able to control all 8 displays.

Connections:

• 12 V
• GND

• 5 V
• GND
• SCL
• SDA

How it works?

The Digit is an Electromagnetic 7 Segment display. Each segment has a bifilar coil that is used to show or hide the segment. Each coil has 3 wires, one wire has 12 volts, the 2nd wire is used to show the segment and the 3rd wire hides the segment. A voltage is applied for a short period of time (50ms) which show or hide the segment. A magnet then holds the segment in the current position, until the next command is sent.

What can they be used for?

• Clocks
• Counters
• Timers
• Website views/Subscribers
• Anything that needs a 7 Segment

Required libraries

Adafruit - MCP23017

Sig7Seg library by b3nn

Getting Started Example 1

Display will show 0-9 and A-F with 200ms delay

#include "sig7seg-i2c.h"
Sig7segi2c sig1;

void setup() {
sig1.begin(0x00);  // All 3 jumper pins at zero will be 0x00
}

void loop() {
// write from 0 to 9 then A-F on the display
for(int i=0; i<16; i++){
sig1.write(i);
delay(200);
}
}

Getting Started Example 2

Displays numbers 4 then 5, will clear then display a Dash with 1 second delay between each function

#include "sig7seg-i2c.h"
Sig7segi2c sig1;



void setup() {
sig1.begin(0x00);  // All 3 jumper pins at zero will be 0x00
sig1.setFlipTime(50);  //pulse width to flip segments (50 is optimal)

}

void loop() {

sig1.write(4);  // This will write number 4 to the display
delay(1000);

sig1.write(5);  // This will write number 5 to the display
delay(1000);

sig1.clear();  // This will clear the display
delay(1000);

sig1.setDash(); // This will on display middle Segment (Segment G)  
delay(1000);

}

What's included

• 1 Click Digit Display
• 12V jumper wire (to connect additional display)
• 3x jumpers (for selecting address)
• 4x 3mm x 20mm standoffs (for backside mounting)
• 1 support base (for bottom mounting)
• 1 Black support base connector (Used to connect multiple bases together)
• 2x 3mm x 10mm screws (used to mount Click Digit display to support base)

Support Base Connector allows Multiple bases to be connected together...

If you decide to use the bottom mounting base. Attach segment using the 2 provided Phillips head 2mm x 10mm screws. Four holes are provided for you on the bottom of the base allowing you to mount to any additional platform.

Address jumper settings

Just Follow jumper settings chart below to set the correct address (a 1 represents where a jumper should be added)!!

Product Specs and Dimensions

• Character size -- H x 100mm W x 70mm

• Click Digit display-- H 115mm x W 86mm x D 58mm

• No power required to maintain displayed Digit

• Pulse Length-- 50ms

• Coil Resistance --70 Ohms

• Input voltage 12 Volts 500mA ( will power 8 digits)