Pomodoro Technique

Pomodoro technique is a time management focusing technique where the user cycles break down work into intervals, such as 45 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. I use this technique daily, and I thought it would be cool to make an actual physical timer to help me rather than rely on my phone, which can be a source of distraction.

Project overview

I want it to be a really simple, battery-powered, and 3D printed timer that acts as an alarm timer. My initial prototype didn’t even have a buzzer in it.

Functionalities

• Able to count down from any of 15-90 minutes in the increment of 15 minutes.
• 2 buttons, one to set time, one to start time.
• The buzzer will sound at the end of the set time.

Front view

Side view with buzzer

Technical notes

• Done with Arduino nano with 3D printed parts and a 9V battery as its power supply.
• The timer count down is inaccurate too as one tick is not 1ms but instead 1.024 ms. (~97% accuracy)
• It uses an I2C connection from Arduino nano to the LCD screen.
• When the alarm buzzes, it is a hard stop, i.e. the buttons will not function.

Afterthoughts

Designing the cover was somewhat tricky, figuring out where to place the electronics and fasteners. I might plan to improve the electronics arrangement further as it’s somewhat messy with all the Dupont wires and stuff.