Multilayer company clock

# CSM 3-layer clock — xTool M2, 4 mm plywood

Dial ø240 mm on a 300×300 mm sheet. **1 clock = 3 sheets** — the layers cannot
be nested, because each has the same outer diameter.

## Files for XCS — in this order

Names = order of work. Each file is a **separate 300×300 sheet** and
a separate task in XCS. From the simplest layer to the hardest, so that you tune
the settings on a cheaper error.

|# | File | Layer | What's included |
|---|------|---------|------------|
| **1** | '1_TYL.svg' | rear | outline ø240, shaft hole ø10, keyhole |
| **2** | '2_SRODEK.svg' | centre | ring ø240/ø174, engraving: shadow strip + fields under markers |
| **3** | '3_PRZOD.svg' | front | ring ø240/ø190, 12 markers cut through |
| **4** | '4_NAPIS.svg' | badge | 3D lettering glued to the dial — **cut from a waste disc**, not from a new sheet |
| **5** | '5_WSKAZOWKI.svg' | Tips | **Optional** - See warnings below. Also from waste |

**Why this order:** '1_TYL' is just the outline and two small holes — on this
you set the power and number of passes for your plywood. '2_SRODEK' verifies that XCS
has interpreted the ring engraving correctly. '3_PRZOD' has 12 narrow markers,
which are the easiest to burn through — you do it when the settings are already secure.

**Before the first file: test on a clipping** of the same plywood. Square 20×20 mm,
same settings. Does it go through without burning? Only then did you '1_TYL'.

'1_TYL_RAW.svg' = version with **live text** — here you replace the name, then
convert via Inkscape (see below). **XCS goes '1_TYL.svg', not RAW.**

'_podglad_zlozony.svg' and '_preview.png' — **Watch only**, do not send to XCS.

## How it works

The 3D effect comes from two things:
1. **Step** ø190 → ø174 → center. Layer B (4 mm) raises C, giving a real shadow.
2. **Engraving on B** visible as a dark grout in the 8 mm gap
  between the edge of the C and the window — and through the cut marks.

Without the engraving, the layers would be indistinguishable — they are the same plywood. If you
prefer natural wood or intend to stain, set 'ENGRAVE_B_BAND = False'
in the generator.

**The roller only passes through layer A (4 mm)** - layers B and C have a hole in the middle
. It's intentional: if it went through the entire 12mm stack, cheap repair mechanisms
would run out of thread.

## ⚠️ 3D lettering and collision with hands - CHECK BEFORE CUTTING

The badge lies in the field of rotation of the hands, so its height determines whether the
clock is running at all. Measure the thread of the shaft with a caliper and select the variant:

| 'PLATE_LAYERS' | Design | Protruding | Shaft thread min. |
|---|---|---|---|
| '2' | bottom cut and engraved + top | 12 mm | **15 mm** |
| '1' | dark frame **engraved in dial** + top | 8 mm | **11 mm** |

From the front, both look practically the same (comparison: '_warianty.html').
Variant '1' is the same effect with a lower stack – a safer choice with a short shaft from the repair kit
.

**Separately: The hands must be shorter than 95 mm** or they will interfere with the
front ring. Minute ~90 mm is the maximum.

The generator prints the required thread every time it is started.

**Measured 01.08: Paweł's mechanisms have a thread of 15-20 mm** → variant '2' enters
with metal hands.

## Wooden Hands ('5_WSKAZOWKI.svg') - Optional, not the default

The shape is a fixed-width capsule, all engraved dark. No taper
or spike: with 4 mm plywood, any taper is a crack point during planting.
Engraving is necessary – the raw wood on the wooden dial is illegible.

Three reasons why this is not the default choice:

1. **Height.** Each clue adds its own thickness above the badge.
  With the 'PLATE_LAYERS = 2' variant and 4 mm plywood, ~23 mm of
  the required thread comes out — more than Paweł's mechanisms have. Solution: hands with **2-3 mm**
  (then ~19 mm) or 'PLATE_LAYERS = 1'.
2. **Weight.** Minute 86 × 7 × 4 mm is a lot of weight on the mechanism from
the repair kit . Symptom of overload: the clock stops when the minute clock goes "uphill"
  (between 8 and 11). Then you have a high-torque mechanism or a thinner material.
3. **Mounting holes.** 'HAND_HOLE_HOUR' and 'HAND_HOLE_MIN' are the defaults
  of a typical I-shaft - **measure the caliper hub in your mechanism
  and replace**. The hole is intentionally 0.2 mm tighter than the hub, because the laser burns
  conically and the real hole comes out larger. Before cutting the whole thing, cut the hole itself
  on the cutting and check that the hand sits without play.

**Safe order:** assemble the clock with metal hands, check that it runs
around the clock, only then replace it with wooden ones.

## Order in XCS

For each layer: **first the engraving, then the cut.** Conversely, the element
will peel off and move during engraving.

Color convention (XCS recognizes automatically):
- red '#FF0000', stroke 0.1 mm → **cut**
- black '#000000', fill → **engraver**

## Laser Settings - STARTING POINT, NOT MEASURED

⚠️ These are the output values for 4 mm plywood at 20 W. **Always do a test on a cut of
the same plywood** - the grade, humidity and glue between the layers change the result
more than it seems.

| Operation | Power | Speed | Transitions |
|----------|-----|----------|-----------|
| 4mm Cutting | 100% | 6-8 mm/s | 3-4 |
| Engraving (belt, markers, text) | 30-40% | 150-200 mm/s | 1 |

Estimated time: **~45-50 min** per set (C longest — 2 circles + 12 markers).

## Health and safety

- Safety goggles, extractor/Airproofer on, **do not leave the machine unattended**.
- Plywood can take care of it when cutting multiple times – keep an eye on the material.
- ⛔ Never PVC/vinyl in the laser (chlorine: poisons and corrodes the machine).

## Folding

1. **Don't glue right away.** Dry arrange A → B → C, check if the markers in C
  hit the engraved boxes on
B.2. Centering: All three have the same ø240 edge — **align around the perimeter**,
  not by eye to the center. Centering pins are unnecessary.
3. Glue: wicker/PVA with a thin layer, pressing (books) for 30-40 min. Excess glue
  flowing into the slot can be seen on the finished clock — give little.
4. The engraving fields on B are 1.2 mm larger on each side than the markers on C -
  a slight offset when gluing will not expose the raw wood.
5. **Badge with inscription** - Stick to the disc A in the middle, approx. 50 mm below
  the shaft hole. Align to the vertical axis of the clock (from the 12 to 6 marks),
  otherwise the curvature will be more conspicuous than with a rectangular dial.
  With 2 layers: first the bottom, then the top centrally on top of it.
6. Mechanism from the back, hands **from the set** (do not cut them with a laser - the
hole  in the plywood comes out conical and the pointer flies).
7. **Turn the hands by hand for a full 12 hours before tightening the nut.**
  If they rub against the badge anywhere, the shaft is too short – see the
  table above and go to 'PLATE_LAYERS = 1'.

## Keyhole suspension

in layer A, 102 mm above center - covered by B and C, invisible
from the front. The movement protrudes ~15-20 mm at the back, so the clock will hang with a slight
deviation. If it is to lie flat on the wall: glue 3-4 spacer rings
cut out of waste (the middle of layers B and C) on the back.

## Replacing name/dimensions

Everything in the 'PARAMETERS' section in 'gen_zegar.py':

'''bash
python3 gen_zegar.py
/Applications/Inkscape.app/Contents/MacOS/inkscape zegar_A_tyl_RAW.svg \
 --export-text-to-path --export-plain-svg --export-filename=zegar_A_tyl.svg
'''Inkscape

is **mandatory** — XCS has no fonts, text without conversion to
paths will disappear or be replaced with a different typeface.

The most frequently changed are: 'BRAND_TEXT', 'R_OUT' (disc size), 'SHAFT_D'
(diameter of the shaft hole), 'R_B_IN' (width of the dark joint).

## If something didn't work out

- **Engraving on B fills the whole circle instead of the ring** → XCS didn't handle
 'fill-rule="evenodd"'. Break, set 'ENGRAVE_B_BAND = False' and generate
 again (only fields under the tags will remain). **Check the preview in XCS before
 start** - this is the only place that could not be tested without the machine.
- **Hand rubs against layer C** → too long hands from the set; Take a
 shorter set or increase the 'R_C_IN'.
- **Layers don't align** → you cut with too much power, the laser cuts the edge
 conically. Reduce power, add transition.

---
Related: '.. /medals/' (same SVG → XCS pipeline) · full description of
the in-memory pipeline: 'project_gadzety_xtool_cameo_klaudia.md'