How a Split-Flap Display Works

Take a look inside my see-through split-flap display, made from laser-cut clear acrylic and an Arduino.
The mechanical design, electrical details, and firmware are all open-source, including comprehensive purchasing and assembly instructions: github.com/scottbez1/splitflap

[@jackmcslay]

I miss airport flap displays, they were so fun to watch all those updates at the same time, a plain large monitor isn't quite the same.

[@svecech]

Thats true its look like magic when this display flaps all letter as ones

[@marklatimer7333]

The old flap displays had the advantage that you don't have to keep watching the display for changes you only needed to look if you heard the shuffling.

[@takix2007]

@@marklatimer7333 moreover, I can't help but think it was far less power hungry. For a display that only needs to show very specific data, it was perfect...

[@unknown6656]

We still have them at the Frankfurt Airport (Germany) and I absolutely love those displays!

[@ericlopesbr]

@@takix2007 maybe not that much. Even though they’re only updated every couple of minutes, imagine how much power all the hundreds of motors would draw. Even then, the cost of the panel itself, thousands of moving parts and specialized maintenance is much higher than that of an lcd or led panel.

[@matt-lang]

This is one of the best instructional videos I’ve ever seen. Zero fluff, covers the design using clear housings, demonstrates why design elements are there, covers the power and logic, and keeps the whole video under 4 minutes. Thanks so much for taking the time to make this!

[@MGKday]

you should see the github....never saw such detailed instructions, end to end...i'm impressed, this man deserves attention !

[@LoveYouPlant]

seriously, I was so impressed by the inclusion and explanation of details like the solid barrier at the bottom, for the sake of sound.

[@mattlogue1300]

@@MGKday good

[@LoveYouPlant]

@@ButterfatFarms And what is the functional issue with unchecked momentum on the lower flaps? It's true, as the video said, that the solid barrier improves the visual by keeping the bottom flap steady, but don't underestimate the worth of a satisfying sound! These are details, but they make all the difference, and become nostalgic for good reason.

[@LoveYouPlant]

@@ButterfatFarms ​ Ah I see the wording you were specifically replying to. I agree, the original design process definitely wouldn't have preferenced the sound! I was looking at this video as an explanation helpful for people making new split-flap displays, in which case they'd want to enable the nostalgic sound. I see what you mean, though, that aspect is vestigial at this point and was originally just the consequence of a better visual.

[@jSyndeoMusic]

I watched Technology Connections’ video on these this morning, and this evening, this video is recommended to me. Funny how that works.

[@redpheonix1000]

Same here!

[@amogus7]

Same

[@amogus7]

@@redpheonix1000 troll

[@7pH]

Hello, other like-minded souls. Me too xD

[@Studio23Media]

Same

[@RoflCopterDesigner]

KZbin algorithm recommended this to me. I didn't know how they worked or that they were called "split-flap displays" until today. I first saw these over 15 years ago when I was kid travelling with family in India. Flight departure boards would spell out cities using these displays. Super cool to learn there's even error checking in the contraption.

[@stanpatterson5033]

I remember them called flip-leaf or drop-leaf displays. Got my first one in the late 70's in the form of a clock radio. Sadly the radio only had AM. The clock had AM and PM, though.

[@kylej0474]

@@stanpatterson5033 lol love that hidden joke

[@Pellbort]

@@stanpatterson5033 lol, "Why is it still light out?" "My stupid clock radio only gets AM."

[@heh2393]

@@kylej0474 What hidden joke?

[@NoMoreBsPlease]

@@heh2393 "Sadly the radio only had AM. The clock had AM and PM , though."

[@jellistegrotenhuis4203]

This is so weird, i picked up a radio with a split flap time display just yesterday and got this in my recommended!

[@noelsnave9395]

Interesting

[@sr.r9232]

They are listening LoL

[@dustinmcdermont699]

@@sr.r9232 same thing happened to me the other day with another product I can't remember what it was but it freaked me out. they definitely are listening

[@masuphamakhube3553]

Your phone is listening to you

[@TheNamesArif]

Google is spying on you

[@OatFoundry]

Very cool - well done vid

[@lavablock1999]

I used Hall effect sensors in my physics 2 lab classes to detect magenetic fields with varying amperage but no one ever showed me practical applications of them. This is a pretty cool surprise, great video!

[@Toleich]

*varying current

[@nyanpasu64]

Hall effect sensors are also used in game controllers, like the old Dreamcast controller and new Phob GameCube controller mod.

[@brockpiano]

@@nyanpasu64 i think some keyboard switches have something similar

[@PiefacePete46]

@@Toleich : I would have thought that, if the current varies, the amperage would vary as well?

[@Fredo22]

it's 10 am and I just woke up and i'm like "hmmm yes I will watch that as soon as I woke up"

[@nicekeven3459]

Same for me 😂

[@StarWarsTherapy]

Yep. Same. 9AM. 🤣

[@Fredo22]

I made a grammar mistake but I will keep it because if I edit it the heart would disappear woke > wake

[@Dime_Bar]

10am get a fucking job.

[@nicekeven3459]

@@Dime_Bar but it’s on the weekend

[@krolsky4608]

Someone give Scott an award. This is beautiful!

[@mikem5043]

There is a GIANT display like this in the terminal at Singapore Airport showing the status of all flights. It is fun to watch and hear all the flipping and flapping as the thing updates every few minutes

[@thexxbros4027]

Sadly they closed it. They closed the whole Terminal 2 for renovation and part of it is removing the display as it cost too much to operate

[@mikem5043]

@@thexxbros4027 Bummer!

[@aronhegedus]

It's amazing that you made this all open source, such quality explanation and video! Thank you

[@boejiden4940]

Great project! I just wanted to add that it's better to install the magnet sideways when using a hall effect sensor, so that the two faces of the magnet are facing the front and back. Most magnets are magnetized on the two faces, but if you rotate the magnet the sensor triggers exactly when the magnet is closest to the sensor! This allows for much more precise and accurate readings.

[@atomic0083]

Thank you so much for this. As a fledgling fabricator, I really appreciate you calling out the details.

[@denisa10]

Quality of the video is great (audio and footage), made easy to understand, mechanisms and features very well explained, and the video is short Thank you so much for making this, it really is fascinating how much work can be behind such a little machine

[@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154]

The sound imparts confidence in the machines ability. Very Cool

[@aartenum3226]

Dude, I was looking everywhere to find what I need to make that, now the only thing that I need is to figure out how to put it all together. Thank you man!! PS: You need way more subscribers!!

[@WeylerTomaszewski]

Got to say, I could watch this all day. I take my hat off for you sr. Awesome design and great video

[@anonymous.youtuber]

Great explanation ! I have always asked myself again and again how these things work ! 👍

[@JustFun-iz9rf]

Interesting how much technology there is in this simple project. Thank you for sharing

[@formerx]

Wonderful explanation with clear visuals. I've always loved this type of display. Thanks much!

[@paulz8750]

An absolutely flawless video, clearly showing the operation the system with exactly the information I have been searching for. Let this be a lesson to thousands on how to make fantastic educational videos and I solute you sir.

[@2simmy2]

I was literally looking for this for hours then I gave up and suddenly found it in my feed! Thank you!

[@ebolapie]

This video is great, and the project files on github are even better. You're a legend!

[@developerfabi]

Great video! All the important stuff in as little time as possible.

[@arnavrevankar444]

Seeing the thumbnail, I thought this was from Great Scott!😂

[@satishchampion2684]

Wonderfully explained. I'm intrigued by such mechanical devices and would get very irked when I couldn't figure out how this kind of display in the airport worked. Thankyou for the video. 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏

[@1495978707]

Amazing work, thank you so much for doing this and making it open source

[@AltaVistaReserv]

I was looking for something like this for years, thanks a lot!

[@TheDeveloperGuy]

GREAT video, the presentation, the details, everyting!

[@chrisnothnagel4910]

The best explanatory video I have seen in years! Tx 4 sharing...

[@iAmTheSquidThing]

This made me feel nostalgic for London Victoria Station in the 1990s.

[@NoZoDE]

Or me for Frankfurt airport. They still have it today

[@eswnl1]

And the slam door trains.

[@netking66]

@@eswnl1 If I wanted to go to Waterloo but the train was going to Victoria, I could bail out at Clapham Junction if the train made an unscheduled stop there thanks to slam door trains. Nowadays the doors would stay shut.

[@florianinside5666]

It is very rare that i click on subscribtion. Here i do. Well done, Sir Scottbez1

[@Eralen00]

Excellent video with clear and concise information and beautiful presentation. Thank you!

[@42Pursuit]

Ahh, I thought I'd come across your channel before. Then I found this video again. Great content man! Keep it up! I'm subscribed and will be happily watching everything you release 🔥

[@anon_y_mousse]

I used to have an alarm clock that had a display like this. Never knew it was called split-flap, and now using your project I could recreate it.

[@alverzilin]

Браво! Аплодирую стоя!) Очень познавательно и самое главное, что видео с субтитрами, которые автоматически переводятся на мой родной язык! Это в двойне хорошо для меня. Очень-очень большое спасибо!)

[@joehamblin3297]

Great project. Love the sound. Going to do a 4H project around this.

[@arbjful]

This is a wonderful video, it gives me ideas on making a large displsy system for a project. Thanks for posting, it is really useful, your explanation and the fine but important points of the system was very illuminating

[@foxyturbine7114]

Very cool! Thanks for the explanation :) I loved watching these boards at airports and train stations.

[@2006Neon2006]

ive always had a liking for these displays since i watched Lost as a young teen, that big ominous display with the mysterious countdown and the frantic clicks and clacks as it resets

[@anandhukrishna8238]

That is so cool and also love the sound it makes

[@bytesizedengineering]

Very cool demo! Thanks for sharing

[@Palanril]

Many thanks for the sharp details! I did not get how it actually works!

[@vietnguyen2354]

Your channel is so underrated. Great content

I always wondered as a kid how those worked at the train station. Now I finally understand them! Great explanation!

[@IkarusKommt]

Train station ones used rotary encoders instead.

[@user-lz1pv3zm2b]

The best explanation I had ever seen, really learned all of it. ❤

[@TechBuild]

The explanation was great! Keep making these videos.

[@shamsmm]

That was amazing 😍👌 How everything is working is just a masterpiece

[@tumblevveed3586]

Wow, how in the world did KZbin read my mind! I was just thinking about grandads old alarm clock the other day that had this setup. I was fascinated with this clock and got it when he passed. Black flaps with white numbers and a purplish/Ultra-violet light in a plastic woodgrain looking case. I took it apart almost 30 years ago to see how it worked and wished I never did as I never put it back together. I never knew what this was called and now I got a term to use to possibly find one. Thank you

[@gurkansanli1978]

These stuffs really beautiful.

[@JessHull]

you have produced a very nice video for the flappy flapper displays.

[@Jabroni110787]

Brilliant video. Exactly what I was searching for. Thanks

[@andrewclarkehomeimprovement]

Such a straight forward explanation, thank you.

[@Daannyy9]

This is AMAZING , nicely done, love it

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

These are just the most icon thing when it comes to airport & train station information boards !

[@patsematary]

In the seventies until all eighties it was a modern and efficient system, fun to see the board flickering frequently for update.

[@shedactivist]

Brilliant. This is definitely going onto my 'projects to do' list.

[@notkeehan]

Flip flap displays are one of the only asmr I would listen to

[@xanaxod]

It was amazing! Way more complex than looks

[@PATILGameking]

Looks like great scott!!!

[@matt_freund]

Such a cool video man! Keep doing these explaining vids!

[@Vladyslav_Rehan]

You told everything in such detail! Thanks!

[@nenadstankovic4990]

This is awesome!!! Great video man!

[@pfuisi]

Well done Scott.

[@RussellDrumss]

Very cool and well explained!

[@MicrobyteAlan]

Interesting and well presented. Thanks, I’ve been wanting to make one, now I can.

[@rohannaidu1692]

Always wondered about this. Thank you.

[@mowburnt]

Great video. Liked and subscribed and very envious of you having this cool device :-)

[@-yvoellenarandres7688]

Thanks for your work ill try to build it to lessen my boredom

[@albdamned577]

I have been looking for one of these, sucks I have to make it but better than inventing it! Thanks for this

[@siegmundeurades5753]

To the dismay of my wallet, I'm considering giving this a try myself. Highly appreciate the fact that you open-sourced it all.

[@rong1924]

I used to have a “digital” alarm clock with a flip display but it used a simple gear motor not a stepper. It obviously made an audible “flip” every minute which was an interesting way to mark time laying awake at night.

[@shein_p]

this was very helpful, thank you so much!

[@emeraldzebra9360]

There was no better sound than when our Train station used to change all the Destination & Stops etc at once on one of these! The noise was so loud sounded like a flock of pigeons. Or when the bus would change the blinds as it got to last stop. Now it's LED everything.

[@jaykinbacon2379]

If you want to see one live action, there's a Starbucks Reserve here in Seattle that have this fully functional billboard message near the line. It's quite beautiful and insight to see in action.

[@alirezaakhavi9943]

hey man really wonderful and informative videos you have thank you for sharing! :)

[@theepictallguy]

This is insane. Really good tutorial. Subbed

[@rajdeeprawal597]

Excellent description

[@projectmonke2336]

Excellent explanation, I love how useful hall effect sensors are!

[@Zoogler]

This was really neat

[@ArtyMars]

My God I've been thinking of making one of these for months and then BAM this turns up 😬❤️

[@EnergeticWaves]

You did all that yourself? Wow. I'm impressed.

[@iamthemuffin]

I didn't know that I need this, thank you.

[@Neillan]

Great work and highly informative!

[@iyxec]

Brilliant introduction

[@pyxylation]

Nice and simple! Love it!

[@octavianc.2569]

wow what a well-done video

[@ArnaudMEURET]

Perfect overview! 👍

[@TurnOntheBrightLights.]

Love the sound of these 😍

[@LordSteinchen]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@mattlogue1300]

Thanks for showing the "afterthoughts" for someone depressed it helps.

[@davidsullivan6191]

Thank you for the simple tutorial

[@LukeKeithly]

Just stumbled upon your channel, nice vid!

[@zukhrufrehmani5585]

Excellent work

[@mickyandguitar]

I always wanted to know the mechanism of how this thing works. I have seen this in movies and airports and always wondered that how it is controlled. Thanks for sharing.

[@mattinkel7342]

Great explanation

[@JinKee]

i loved these things in old airports!

[@eramsorgr]

Dope. Learned something new today

[@butre.]

you just gained a subscriber. if you build and demonstrate an 80 column display with these I'll even click the bell icon and maybe even buy you a beer

[@akashsenapaty9479]

Excellent video!