Physical API on the front of the gears, for addons, cams, drums, etc...

[Mathieu Glachant]

What if we designed a simple physical interface by which an addon part could be snapped into the back of any gear of the clock? On the large side of the gears, where it rests against the printing surface, there is plenty of space to prebuild some holes for something to snap into. Something able to transmit a decent amount of torque, unlikely to just fall out axially...

Like three holes in the shape of a nuclear warning sign, into which three complementary stubs would fit snugly enough to stay put under light axial loads. We could agree on some standard shape, and then on standard sizes.

This could be used to snap on a cam to drive an alarm mechanism, or hourly chimes... Or a ratcheting drum, or anything really... Without a need to print a special version of the targeted gear, since when not in use the holes don't get in the way of anything.

[Mathieu Glachant]

Sorry, the title should read Physical API on the BACK of the gears, etc...

On the front, where the small pinion gear sits, we're often left with little material between the hole the shaft and/or bearing sits, and the bottom of the pinion's teeth...

[Anthony Sherwood]

Yup, that was the idea I had in mind I did the nuclear sign thing on my escapement wheel, which has 6 radial spokes... the drum to wind the string around was meant to plug into the back of the escapement.  I think it'd be great to build that into whatever gears we'd like to be able to extend.

[Mathieu Glachant]

Exactly!

[Benjamin Fraser]

I love that idea. Add the mounting holes to each gear by default. Also, if people want to add strength to the snap-fit, they could just add a couple drops of glue. I think that's perfect.