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Glass Clock

clock made entirely from glass
  (+11, -1)(+11, -1)
(+11, -1)
  [vote for,
against]

Glass Clock is made entirely from glass components. This is something not previously possible until the advent of precision water-jet technology to cut the cogwheels and other components with total accuracy.

I am confident that the power could be supplied with a spiral spring, and escape mechanism, linked to two glass weights secured via a glass chain. In the case of the spring, this would be made using a type of special type of glass capable of flexing enough to store and release the required energy.

I intend proposing the clock to Corning Glass so we will see what they say.

xenzag, Jun 23 2020

Glass balance spring in watches have been tried before https://www.watchpr.../16.261404.1705510/
[scad mientist, Jun 24 2020]

Claims to be an all glass clock https://web.archive...n.it/arte/vscialla/
Appears to have a metal weight. [scad mientist, Jun 24 2020]

Flexible Glass https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=12OSBJwogFc
The flexible glass bit is about 7 minutes in on the video. [xenzag, Jun 25 2020]

[link]






       Submerge in a liquid with the same refractive index
pocmloc, Jun 23 2020
  

       If there are weights, what is the spring for?
pocmloc, Jun 23 2020
  

       This made me say, "but why?" [+]
Voice, Jun 23 2020
  

       //a type of special type of glass capable of flexing enough to store and release the required energy//   

       Umm ... ?   

       Bun suspended, pending.
pertinax, Jun 24 2020
  

       Glass can be made into a spring, playing with a fiber optic will demonstrate that.
bs0u0155, Jun 24 2020
  

       Thank you, [bs]; bun awarded.
pertinax, Jun 24 2020
  

       What [pert] said.   

       //special type of glass capable of flexing// Sounds a wee bit like a WIBN.   

       If my fairy night light that flies over the beds of the kids and lightly touches their heads, can't exist because I was unable to explain how it could work...well I got booed, let's just say.   

       Otherwise a temporary + for the idea which I like, and a - for the implementation, I'm afraid.
blissmiss, Jun 24 2020
  

       The chimes are going to be crystal clear,
wjt, Jun 24 2020
  

       [kdf] The more current link you posted has bigger pictures, and it looks to me like this has metal pins on the escapement.
scad mientist, Jun 24 2020
  

       Technically an hourglass 'is' an all glass clock...   

       ...I'll just get my coat again.   

       Bun gladly awarded in the wake of [Pertinax] and [Bs]'s comments.
21 Quest, Jun 25 2020
  

       "Look at the time!"
AusCan531, Jun 25 2020
  

       //special type of glass capable of flexing// Look up Corning Willow Glass, which is a flexible type of glass. See link for one small example.
xenzag, Jun 25 2020
  

       Yes but what is the glass spring actually for?
pocmloc, Jun 25 2020
  

       A clock's no fun without at least one spring, and there are any number of functions to which it may be assigned. eg to provide the energy for a chiming hammer.
xenzag, Jun 25 2020
  

       OK so what are the weights for?
pocmloc, Jun 25 2020
  

       Falling on your head when you climb under it to collect the humbug you dropped.
xenzag, Jun 25 2020
  

       Glass weights are not optimal for that, they might fracture.
pocmloc, Jun 25 2020
  

       You win sir/madam, +
blissmiss, Jun 25 2020
  
      
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