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MMD > Archives > March 2006 > 2006.03.12 > 04Prev  Next


Attaching Solenoids with Adhesive Foam Tape
By Phil Dayson

Here is another use of double sided foam tape in mechanical music
instruments.  One of the major concerns I had when I converted
a harpsichord to MIDI operation was the sound that the QRS solenoids
made during playing.  The solenoids operate quietly in free air,
but when rigidly attached to the harpsichord the whole harpsichord
and solenoid support act a sounding board.  Since the harpsichord
is a quiet instrument this became a major design issue.

I experimented with all sorts of soft mounting options: rubber
isolators, felt hangers, many designs of springs.  If they were not
ineffective they were much too complex.  In the end I used a simple
but I think elegant solution: I stuck the solenoids to the mounting
board using 3/8-inch thick double-sided foam tape.  The tape works
extremely well as a vibration isolator.  In the six years since the
installation I have only had minor problems, caused more by the surface
preparation on which the tape was stuck rather than the tape itself.

Phil Dayson

Vancouver Canada


(Message sent Sun 12 Mar 2006, 17:36:56 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.)

Key Words in Subject:  Adhesive, Attaching, Foam, Solenoids, Tape

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