Parametric Music Box

thingiverse

Title: 3D Printed Customizable Music Box - Winner of Customizer Challenge Contest (Artistic Category) This project is a 100% printed, customizable music box with 3D-printed parts. It can be assembled and disassembled via printed snapping mechanisms. The idea originated when the creator's friend said he would only be interested in 3D printing once he could print a music box! Videos showcasing this innovative music box are available at: - http://youtu.be/LUlovenI9xQ - http://youtu.be/K_c3p24RRtQ (made by banthafodder7400) - http://youtu.be/exNeQDz7f3g To help manage the design and for ease of contribution, the project's .scad file can be found on this page, while a Spreadsheet assists in getting the parameters right (https://goo.gl/sKWWDk, created by Ben Horner). A complete music box consists of six parts: case, music cylinder, transmission gear, crank gear, crank, and pulley. The default parameters provide a building plate that can play one full octave range (13 half notes from C to C) in a medium footprint suitable for most printers. Customization options are available for smaller print plates. A sounding box is crucial for good sound quality, with large cardboard boxes or tables recommended. The music box comes with a comprehensive guide on how to adapt snapping mechanisms for optimal performance. Printed using PLA, adjustments may be necessary if printing in ABS or with differently calibrated printers. The creator customized a "Frère Jacques" music cylinder compatible with the default parameters (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:59242). To create notes for customization, users can either manually read the encoded pins or use the JavaScript application at http://musicbox.magicshifter.net/musicbox.html for conversion from Tabs. The music box's gears are adapted versions of those created by emmett for his Automatic Transmission Gear Model, and the vibrating teeth's lengths are calculated using formulas from a German Wikipedia article. For tuning the instrument, material is removed from the side or bottom of the vibrating tooth as per desired frequency adjustments.