I like creating musical instruments more than playing or learning to play them. If I can put one into someone's hands, or give another hacker/maker access to something they can mod, that makes me happy indeed.
My goal with this project is to make a xylophone, or at least the notes, on a laser cutter. I would feel destructive if I bought a legitimate instrument and cut holes in the wooden keys only to find that an idea of automating it only ruined it. Now, if I can throw a bit of lumber into a laser cutter and produce keys all day, then I would feel no remorse if I destroyed a couple, and maybe someone else can take my work further.
Enough background.
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Research into the shape of xylophone keys showed that I would have to cut the note profile, not the face. A glockenspiel and a xylophone differ in their note shape and material. A glockenspiel has metal keys with uniform thickness, like bar stock. A xylophone has wooden keys that flare at the ends.
I planned to cut a series of wooden slats of various proportions to test which geometries sound pleasing. The first set was six notes each 100mm long. I am not entirely clear on the relationship between all the factors and the final tone. Some were thick through the center while some were curved, and some were thin at the edges. By producing a handful at a time, I hope to test which shape to use for a full set.
For comparison, I repeated the experimental geometries on notes twice as long. I placed the mounting holes at the 2/9ths mark as I would with glockenspiel keys, but the uneven wooden topology may require a different location.
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2019-12-31
My goal with this project is to make a xylophone, or at least the notes, on a laser cutter. I would feel destructive if I bought a legitimate instrument and cut holes in the wooden keys only to find that an idea of automating it only ruined it. Now, if I can throw a bit of lumber into a laser cutter and produce keys all day, then I would feel no remorse if I destroyed a couple, and maybe someone else can take my work further.
Enough background.
----------
Research into the shape of xylophone keys showed that I would have to cut the note profile, not the face. A glockenspiel and a xylophone differ in their note shape and material. A glockenspiel has metal keys with uniform thickness, like bar stock. A xylophone has wooden keys that flare at the ends.
I planned to cut a series of wooden slats of various proportions to test which geometries sound pleasing. The first set was six notes each 100mm long. I am not entirely clear on the relationship between all the factors and the final tone. Some were thick through the center while some were curved, and some were thin at the edges. By producing a handful at a time, I hope to test which shape to use for a full set.
100mm xylophone keys
For comparison, I repeated the experimental geometries on notes twice as long. I placed the mounting holes at the 2/9ths mark as I would with glockenspiel keys, but the uneven wooden topology may require a different location.
200mm xylophone keys
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2019-12-31
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