I ignored my first thoughts of complex key shapes and focused on making a base that could mount to a platform, hold an LED filament, and mount a pushbutton. The design was remarkably quick to model, and I can upgrade them after they become functional. The base held the hardware and still fit inside a key the same size as a piano's half-note. I need to make some changes, but the design is a good start.
I went through a few iterations of the base and keys to make the switch operate smoothly and reliably. The best solution was to use one pushbutton, keep it offset, add a fulcrum at the base's other end, and provide a clear path for the filament wires.
I breadboarded the light circuit. I started with the LED filament on the 3.3V pin and an IO point, which was intolerably bright to look at. I lowered the duty cycle by reconnecting to a PWM pin, which gave me usable light. Lastly, I added some series resistance and could limit the light output while still using the full range of my duty cycle.
I improved the key base model a bit so the switch leads would never touch the key cap, and I was happy with the design. I started the layout, which needs to be accurate since I will export it to the laser engraver. Getting the keys into the tightest circle without overlapping was more work than I anticipated, but it was worth it.
I created the first draft of the schematic. Most of the inputs and outputs followed a pattern, so I could easily create a single template and duplicate it. The result was three orderly octaves with a clear separation between pushbuttons and lights. Since I copied the order, each octave behaves identically, and every light and pushbutton was paired to the same pin on different chips. This arrangement should make it quick implement programmatic arrays.
We hosted James Mascia and Mike Dolce to talk about Wonder Man, a series about someone trying to make it in Hollywood. I thought it was going to be a superhero show, so I was disappointed. It was my fault for not reading the abstract. The show did some things right, including showing what it might be like to have superpowers, but not someone who actively used them.
The rest of the summary posts 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
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Completed projects from year 11
Completed projects from year 12
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 on 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.
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| Key top and populated key base |
I went through a few iterations of the base and keys to make the switch operate smoothly and reliably. The best solution was to use one pushbutton, keep it offset, add a fulcrum at the base's other end, and provide a clear path for the filament wires.
 |
| Cutaway view of an orange half-note and a blue base |
I breadboarded the light circuit. I started with the LED filament on the 3.3V pin and an IO point, which was intolerably bright to look at. I lowered the duty cycle by reconnecting to a PWM pin, which gave me usable light. Lastly, I added some series resistance and could limit the light output while still using the full range of my duty cycle.
 |
| Arduino testing with a 3.3V LED filament |
I improved the key base model a bit so the switch leads would never touch the key cap, and I was happy with the design. I started the layout, which needs to be accurate since I will export it to the laser engraver. Getting the keys into the tightest circle without overlapping was more work than I anticipated, but it was worth it.
 |
| Green background to differentiate whole and half notes |
I created the first draft of the schematic. Most of the inputs and outputs followed a pattern, so I could easily create a single template and duplicate it. The result was three orderly octaves with a clear separation between pushbuttons and lights. Since I copied the order, each octave behaves identically, and every light and pushbutton was paired to the same pin on different chips. This arrangement should make it quick implement programmatic arrays.
 |
| VictorianLightPiano schematic REV01 |
We hosted James Mascia and Mike Dolce to talk about Wonder Man, a series about someone trying to make it in Hollywood. I thought it was going to be a superhero show, so I was disappointed. It was my fault for not reading the abstract. The show did some things right, including showing what it might be like to have superpowers, but not someone who actively used them.
Critical Affection: Wonder Man (1:10)
The rest of the summary posts 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
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Completed projects from year 11
Completed projects from year 12
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 on 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.
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