Project Logs

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• 5/31/18 Update

  Clara • 06/01/2018 at 05:59 • 0 comments

  The project was completed and presented. All hardware components for both the Left-Hand and Right-Hand were constructed. 

  While the Left-Hand component is able to properly finger chords through the movement of the rails as originally planned, an issue arose due to the fact that the Vex 393 motors simply did not have the proper stall torque to push the rails across the pushers. Because this problem was discovered so late, it was unable to be amended.

  As for the Right-Hand component, different iterations were necessary in order to get the hardware in working order. The original plan of using felt picks and 3D printed pick holders was abandoned, as this original design was too stiff as well as insecure to pluck the strings. Instead, mounting hardware that came with the servos and thin plastic strips were used to great success. While the Right-Hand component still requires some fine tuning, it overall works as planned, and is able to play the instrument at a steady rate and appropriate speed.

  Methods have been written for the chords and strumming. These were relatively simple, and only really required for correct values correlating to distance and proper angles to be found. However, it is in a very crude state, as the chord progressions used for testing purposes are simply hard coded into the main loop, with no viable input system.

  While not all goals were met, I still learned a lot about planning, design, and the engineering process in general from this project. I am thankful that I got to create such a project that I was interested in all year, and am more or less proud of what I was able to achieve, although there is still much work remaining.

• 5/1/18 Update

  Clara • 05/01/2018 at 23:52 • 0 comments

  These past few weeks, I have printed out all the pushers and constructed the linear rail mechanisms. I've also continued refining the designs for the final boards. However, now, I need to cut out the final boards, and since the cutters in the lab are currently out of service, i will hopefully be doing that this week outside of class time. I also must complete making the springs, and with that, all my parts should be put together for the left-hand component of my project. With the final presentations coming this month, I will really need to work hard to make this work.

• 4/1/18 Update (a tad late)

  Clara • 04/16/2018 at 03:27 • 0 comments

  Over  the last month or so, I have really started making necessary parts for my final project, taking a step away from the prototyping stage. I've printed all my smaller pushing parts (that go directly on the linear rails) and have also cut out some of the smaller pieces for the finished design. Over the next week, I plan on getting out all my parts, checking for final measurements, and then cutting the larger boards. ideally, I will also be able to print all 16 pushers as well. If this all goes smoothly, within 2 weeks from now I should have a more-or-less working "left hand" for my robot. I will also need to work on the springs, but that should (hopefully) be fairly quick work.
  

  In the weeks following that, I will want to find a way to manage the "right hand" portion of my implementation, as well as the code. Though it seems like pretty tight timing, I think it may be possible.

• 3/1/18 Update (Technically)

  Clara • 03/13/2018 at 15:17 • 0 comments

  Over the past couple weeks, I have begun manufacturing some prototypes for my project. I've printed both braces for the instrument's neck, and have ensured that the sizing/spacing of some of the parts of the board are correct. I've further edited my CAD files in accordance with what I found from the prototypes. In the next week or so I plan to make more prototypes to ensure that the spacing of the upper panel is appropriate, which is one of my largest concerns right now, as the fit with the linear rails appears that it will be a little tight. Following that, I will make final edits to my cad files, construct the proper sized springs, and finish printing/cutting everything. Hopefully, I will be finished with the construction of my project by mid/beginning of April.

• 2/1/18 Update

  Clara • 02/12/2018 at 13:56 • 0 comments

  I've been continuing work on the CAD files for my project. I'm mostly done, but will need to begin prototyping some parts in order to fine tune the measurements. While parts may be a little bit tight on my robot, I am pretty sure everything will fit.

  Pretty much my only concerns at this point is powering my motors: I'm not actually sure if they will be able to rotate at the speeds I want, as well as the noises associated with the rotations. 

  Hopefully I will actually begin machining some prototypes this week, seeing as I only have around 1.5 months left at this point!

• 1/5/18 Update

  Clara • 01/05/2018 at 19:55 • 0 comments

  My final parts have trickled in, so for the next week or two I will be able to finalize my design. Hopefully, I will begin construction after this coming week. 

  I have considered tweaking my original design, as I originally planned to only use the rails. However I may be able to also incorporate the block carriage into my design, as long as I'm careful. This could potentially allow for smoother motion in the final project. I'm slightly concerned about the width of the guides, but I believe I can make it work. I should be bringing in my instrument next week to make sure of these measurements.

  Over the next few weeks, I will continue working on the motors as well, to ensure they are all working properly.

• 12/4/17 Update

  Clara • 12/04/2017 at 14:02 • 0 comments

  While waiting for my ordered parts to arrive, I have so far begun to design the main frame of the robot. I have also started rounding up parts that I can find in the lab that I will be using. I may consider purchasing some more parts at a later date, but if so, I plan to do so soon so they arrive in time.

  Currently, the only issue that is really concerning me is the fact that my personal computer has trouble recognizing many/most of the microcontrollers. Thankfully, I can just use the computers in the lab to avoid this issue, but it is still somewhat distressing. 
  

  Continuing from my last update, I have ordered the rails as well as the wire for the springs. They will most likely be arriving pretty soon. As for my timeline, I continue with a similar plan: finish design and manufacturing of all mainframe parts by the end of 2017 (2 more weeks in the lab) or in the first few weeks of 2018.

• 11/8/17 Update

  Clara • 11/08/2017 at 14:07 • 0 comments

  So far, I have been able to research more about reading MIDI files through Arduino and performing actions according to that. I found a project with an autonomous glockenspiel that could play from MIDI files that will be useful: http://www.thebox.myzen.co.uk/Hardware/Glockenspiel.html

  I have also been considering the parts that I need to order for my project. Generally, the parts I need are pretty simple, and I believe that I can make (3D print, laser cut) most of them in the lab. Although this may potentially not be as high quality as purchasing pre-made parts, this will definitely allow me to tailor the parts better to my need. After researching many spring loaded push rods, I have decided to 3D print the rods in the lab, and make springs for them. I was unable to find springs of the dimensions that I want, so I will be purchasing some music wire to make them myself. As for the panels, the materials in the lab should be more than sufficient. The servo and stepper motors that I would like to use are also available in the lab. I think I still may need to purchase linear rails guides, but unfortunately I have not yet found any that I want to use. I will continue to look for them.

  For the rest of 2017, I plan to finish designing and (mostly) assembling the main frame, so I can begin fine tuning after coming back from winter break.

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