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MMD > Archives > December 1999 > 1999.12.02 > 19Prev  Next


Damping in Solenoid Player Piano Mechanisms
By Darren Burgess

Hello,  I have been lurking on the list for some time now.  My original
post regarding the Microtonal Carillon (nearly complete) I am building
is found in MMD 990721.  My next project will be a solenoid driven
miniature piano (25 to 50 strings) with moveable bridges to allow for
flexible tuning.

Could anyone please point me to resources describing the action of
solenoid pianos?  I am particularly interested in the function of the
damping mechanism.  So any info on patents, web sites, or supply
resources would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Darren Burgess
Gainesville FL

 [ I think you're speaking of the damping function of the solenoid,
 [ not the string damper.  I don't recall much mechanical damping on
 [ the actions by Pianocorder, PianoDisc and Pianomation; possibly
 [ they employ electric damping.  The Boesendorfer SE action has thick
 [ felt discs which absorb the excess armature energy at the end of
 [ travel.  Both the Boesendorfer SE and recent Yamaha Disklavier
 [ actions employ velocity-feedback control of the solenoid speed,
 [ in order to achieve consistent hammer velocity at soft intensity.
 [  -- Robbie


(Message sent Thu 2 Dec 1999, 14:49:10 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Damping, Mechanisms, Piano, Player, Solenoid

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