Mea Culpa

My post it note has the challenge end as the 29th July. This is wrong I have found out this morning. It did in fact close on the 14th July. This is 100% my own error, my apologies to the E14 team on this and the other entrants.

The Project(s)

The Monome but with a PiCo

My original project proposal was to actually start to finish a Monome like device for me. What is a Monome I hear you cry! Well if you take it straight from Wikipedia

monome (plural monomes)

1. (mathematics, logic, computing) An expression with a single term, such as a product of numeric variables (with no addition) or a conjunction of possibly negated Boolean variables (with no disjunction).

well not that, however it is a grid-based controller (also called "grid"). 

From Monome directly:

Monome devices do not produce any sound on their own; they must be connected to a computer via USB, in which an app affords use to the device.^[5] The creators of Monome said: "The wonderful thing about this device is that is doesn't do anything really... It wasn't intended for any specific application. We'll make several applications, and others will make more. We hope to share as many of these as possible."^[6] A core design principle of the Monome is that it is not intended for any one specific application — the function of each button and the decision as to which lights are lit are completely up to the software communicating with the device over the Open Sound Control protocol.^[7] The Monome is not strictly a musical device. Depending on the software used, the Monome can function as anything from a sample cutter to a math machine.^[8]

Front view

• Design 8x8 grid and PiCo windowed enclosure.
• 3D print - 2 part assemnly, plate front and edge

Back view.

Using the NeoTrellis Lady Ada boards <3

The Marble Music Machine

Inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q

Wintergatan - Marble Machine (music instrument using 2000 marbles) - is my inspiration for this. Its a beautiful mix of engineering, music and art. The composition from this particular video has been a real ear worm for me and I frequently catch myself either humming this, or it playing on the internal sound ssystem of my head.

Having parked Project Idea 1 whilst i learn more on the software side, the thought of go big or go home came to the forefront of my head. Yeah.

Some sketches, core drum rotates, each track of the drum represents a note. a note is played when a peg trips a mechanism to drop a marble. the mable then falls onto the xyzlophone like notes bar at the bottom to produce sound.

The mable to caught and then carried by a lift back up to the top whcih is a loader tray which then guides mables into tubes into mechanims and repeats.

The basics on the what it does.

Some sketches.

The Side Project For My desk

I really enjoy sound reactive stuff, art installations, little desk decor, ornaments, lights, you name it, i probbably can give you an array of reasons why i find it pleasing to the eye.

I have had a Tengu for probably something like 20 years. From my early days as civil engineer in training through to current role, Tengu has had a place on my desk, along with a usb port. I have a slightly upscaled version of a Tengu as well which is being built for a colleague who covets their own Tengu! 

Tengu - animated face to sound stiumuli. Give them a little tap and the face expression type changes. A desk constant companion.

NotTengu, ESP32, LED Grids. Mode one, sound reactive face Mode two, Game of Life :D (sorry Conway, but I also love this)

Progress so Far - Marble Music Machine

Mechanical Parts

The Mechanical, moving pieces of my main creation so far in some numbers:

• 87 3D printed parts so far.
• c 150hrs 3D print time
• 1+ KGs PLA so far
• Too long spend learning new stuff in Fusion360 (and its awesome)

and in some pictures

Central Spindle, flanges and guide assembly. Loose fit dry run assembly.

Inner spindle and axle detail

Putting it all together

Side view of the core

Front view of the core

Top view of core.

With the addition of the dropper fingers. Rack and pinion and peg from core drum. On rotation the peg causes the dropper finger to move 8mm backwards, to release a ball bearing from .. the dropper tube (continues below)

With the addition of the dropper tubes. 10 dropper tubes, stacked with 8mm ball bearings. Each finger aligned triggers the release of a single ball bearing, which falls down onto the key below.

And with the addition of the key frame - keys, key bed, racl/ pinion set up. (very bottom - 10 keys in all)

Side note, Industrial Grade Superglue? I love this stuff. Thick (high viscosity) gives you time to move and align parts being glued. Downside, When using your fingers to hold parts until they have adhered, ahem. I may have stuck my fingers on more than one occassion.

Finishing Project 1