Things to Know About Quartz Clock Movement
We use clocks every single day to tell time or keep in mind how much time we have left for a specific task or activity. But have we ever tried knowing more about the internal mechanisms that make clocks work and tic? Well, if you want to know more, them we’re going to go through the explanations behind the main principles that make clocks work, namely clock movement. This differs from one clock to another depending on its classification.
Among the most common and popular types of clock movements would be quartz clock movement. Quartz clock movements have gained their popularity because of their highly precise time-telling capacity. This is made possible through its use of a quartz crystal that regulates the clock’s electronic oscillator. The electronic oscillator is an electric circuit that produces a repetitive electronic signal known as a sine wave or square wave. This repetitive electronic signal produces the clock’s “beat”.
Another would be mini quartz clock movement; these are also precisely built by a number of manufacturers. This type of clock movement is accurate to within 10 seconds per month. This is also the most ideal choice for wood, ceramic, or other types of material that have a minimum depth as a requirement. This type of clock movement is also pretty much energy efficient since most of them have the ability to run over a year with only a single “AA” battery in use. Other types of clock movements include Takane quartz clock movement and Hermle quartz clock movement.
Takane quartz clock movements are center-shaft mounted, that requires a 11/32” shaft hole. Takane clock mechanisms are accurate to +/- 3 minutes a year and this are usually have warranties lasting for 12 months. These come with a gold sweep second hand and an open ring nut; or without a second hand with a closed cap nut.
Hermle clock movements use a 6 or 7 digit code to designate whether it is spring, chain, or cable driven, the plate size, hammer arrangement, and the hand shaft length. An example of such would be: 77, Howard Miller, 1161-853, 94cm. This example shows the movement number 1161-853. This has been made by the company for Howard Miller and its three pendulum components have a total length of 94cm.
The main material responsible for the amazing accuracy of clocks with this type of clock movement is quartz. Quartz is a compound also known as silicon dioxide. If a quartz crystal is precisely cut and mounted, this can be made to vibrate or oscillate using an alternating electrical current. Precision in cutting this material is of prime importance since the frequency at which it vibrates depends on its shape and size as well as the positions where electrodes are placed on it. If precisely done, the crystal can oscillate at a desired frequency. Most common among clocks and watches would be a frequency of 32, 768 Hz.
Among modern quartz clocks nowadays, the quartz crystal resonator takes the shape of a small tuning fork. This is usually laser-trimmed or precision lapped. Another advantage offered by this compound aside from its accuracy is that its shape does not change as temperature increases or decreases.
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