DIY Modular ESP Word Clock Hardware Platform

Build Your Own Word Clock Without Starting From Scratch

Have you ever wanted to build a word clock, but felt overwhelmed by the cost, complexity, or countless design decisions?

I had the same experience.

After studying several popular open-source word clock projects, I realized that while the software was already excellent, the hardware side often required significant effort, customization, and manufacturing costs.

To solve this problem, I designed a modular hardware platform that makes building a word clock much easier.

Inspired by Existing Open-Source Projects

This hardware platform is compatible with popular ESP-based word clock firmware projects, including:

• wordclock_esp8266

• Multilayout ESP Wordclock

The goal is not to reinvent the software, but to provide a practical, affordable, and reusable hardware foundation.

Modular Sandwich Design

Inspired by the layered construction concept used in uSDX projects, the clock is divided into three independent parts:

Main PCB

• Double-sided PCB design

• Front side: 11×11 + 4 LED matrix layout

• Back side: control electronics

• Compatible with existing word clock firmware

Separator Plate

• Prevents light bleeding between letters

• Easy to manufacture using laser-cut wood, MDF, or 3D printing

• Reusable across different clock layouts

Character Faceplate

• Contains only the printed letters

• Can be customized for different languages and designs

• No PCB redesign required

Why This Design?

Most word clock projects require redesigning multiple parts whenever you want a different language or layout.

With this modular system:

✅ Reuse the same PCB

✅ Reuse the same separator plate

✅ Change only the faceplate

✅ Lower manufacturing costs

✅ Faster assembly

✅ Easier customization

Perfect For

• DIY electronics enthusiasts

• Makerspaces

• Open-source hardware fans

• ESP8266 / ESP32 users

• Laser cutting projects

• Personalized gifts

• Multi-language word clock builders

Future Expansion

Because the hardware platform uses the standard 11×11 + 4 LED configuration, additional faceplates can be created for:

• English

• German

• French

• Spanish

• Italian

• Chinese

• Custom layouts

The same hardware can support many different word clock styles.

All you need is three boards

1. PCBA
2. Support board
3. Silkscreen board

All files can find from my github, https://github.com/bi4wms/wordclock

PCBA

Support board

Silkscreen board

Secure these three plates together using M3 screws and nuts, flash the firmware from https://github.com/ESPWortuhr/Multilayout-ESP-Wordclock, and config as the guide, then all done