[omoikane]

> near limitless lifespan

The lifespan is probably not as limitless as you might have imagined, the discs tend to fall off or get stuck. But they are really neat while they are working, especially how they sounds.

I was at an office with these flip dot displays, and eventually we dismantled the display. I took some picture of the pieces and you can see how stuck discs look like:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/onpHefUVL8oeP4si7

[simpsoka]

For sure. They're similar to butterfly wings. It's easy to lose or break discs. Our kids loved touching them while we were building, and we'd constantly have to replace discs that fell off.

[amelius]

> The lifespan is probably not as limitless as you might have imagined

How do you remove dust from them? I imagine that's when they break.

[wrs]

The linked Alfazeta manual has recommendations for very carefully vacuuming the panel.

[vasco]

Wouldn't you just make the picture change a few times to remove dust and that's it? They flip, the dust comes out.

[garfieldnate]

Doesn't dust usually cling to surfaces due to static electricity and, in some settings, presence of grease in the dust?

[kajecounterhack]

You can individually remove the discs and use a compressed air cannister, but it's very laborious.