lcd module pushwheel factory

When a digit is changed on the device, the number on the display cylinder scrolls around to the next/previous digit. This ‘analog’ transition is what the LCD animation emulates. The effect is shown in the video below

In addition to the ‘standard’ ROM character set, the modules allow the user to define up to 8 additional characters (ASCII 0 through 7) at run time in the module’s volatile memory. These are set up by transmitting a bitmap made up of 8 bytes (one per row). The lower 5 bits of each byte represent the bit pattern to be displayed across each row. The LiquidCrystal library makes this process straightforward by providing the createChar()method for this purpose.

The first thing to realise is that, much like the physical pushwheel, the animated version needs to operate on individual digits. So any number must be split into its constituent parts at some point.

lcd module pushwheel factory

I have found, though, that I am not able to read this display at a distance (maybe it is age related!). For my own projects I developed code that allows numbers to be displayed over both lines of the LCD display, making the ‘current’ value display for instruments, for example, more obvious and more visible.

lcd module pushwheel factory

HOUSING: Polycarbonate (UL 94V-0). PUSHWHEEL: Polycarbonate (UL 94V-0). PUSHBUTTON: Polycarbonate (UL 94V-0). ROTOR CONTACTS: Gold over nickel over copper alloy. STATOR CONTACTS: Hard gold over nickel over copper on epoxy fiberglass.

lcd module pushwheel factory

HOUSING: Polycarbonate (UL 94V-0). PUSHWHEEL: Polycarbonate (UL 94V-0). PUSHBUTTON: Polycarbonate (UL 94V-0). ROTOR CONTACTS: Gold over nickel over copper alloy. STATOR CONTACTS: Hard gold over nickel over copper on epoxy fiberglass.