[Zimm] has developed a different flip-disc display that operates with a CNC machine instead of magnets or separate mechanisms. The display consists of 37 x 18 square discs, with one side of each disc black and the other blue. Using a color sensor and LIDAR, the CNC head determines which pixels should be flipped. Users can draw or upload images to PAR through a browser.
Why it matters
This design changes the way such systems can be built by showing that flip-disc displays can be assembled without requiring a separate magnet or mechanism for each pixel. The CNC head, which uses a color sensor and LIDAR, combines the display’s physical structure with control software, meaning that image generation is not limited to pre-prepared content. The ability to draw through a browser or upload an image turns the project into an interactive platform that hardware enthusiasts can experiment with. However, the two-color structure and 37×18 layout limit the level of detail that can be displayed; whether the system can operate in different sizes, at higher resolutions, or at greater speeds is not answered by the available information.