Most watches these days are electronic miracles, but we cannot easily get insight into how they work. The traditional mechanical watch is different in that we can see all of the parts and how they interact. A mechanical watch is a highprecision mechanical device with lots of clever ideas and insights that we can learn from.

Professor Sussman will explain the theory and design of the mechanical watch and its relationship to an electronic impulse-driven oscillator. There will be a discussion of friction (resistance) and its effect on Q and timing precision. He will explain why it is essential for the impulse to be supplied to the oscillator at the zero crossings of the angle, and why the oscillator will enter a limit cycle of a known amplitude.

In this lecture Professor Sussman will be assisted by Jack Kurdzionak, AWCI Fellow.

The lecture is scheduled for 2:00 PM, Friday, 19 January 2024, in lecture hall 32-141.