The desired current set of skills required of modern engineers and technologists has been steadily expanding. In addition to familiarity with manual machining and prototyping techniques, mastering CAD/CAM, Computer Numerical Control (CNC), automation methods, and embedded control are increasingly becoming essential tools in the design, prototyping and manufacturing of complex systems. In this paper, we describe an inter-disciplinary senior design project aimed at using modern techniques such as 3D printing and electronic signal processing to build a hybrid replica of Mozart’s piano with accurate feel and sound quality but at an affordable cost of ~$2,000. Accurate reproductions of Mozart’s piano are available but these can cost in excess of $60,000 new, due to the large number of parts that must be hand carved from wood, as well as the string/soundboard system. The high cost limits the availability to academic musicologists or anyone simply interested in hearing the music the way it sounded to Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn. The keybox and soundboard are accurate reproductions of the original, but to reproduce the proper feel for the keyboard the expensive, labor-intensive parts of the key action are made using 3D printing, namely Fused Filament Fabrication technology, as well as hand crafting out of wood. In place of the strings, an electronic key velocity sensing and sound reproduction system was designed and developed.
The significance of the methodology to be applied in this capstone course project is to combine theory and practice to prepare the students to become better problem solvers and obtain practical solutions to real life/simulated problems using a project based approach. Students in the Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial fields along with many others can learn many new skills from multi-disciplinary projects such as the design and development of a musical instrument. Such projects show students how to use different types of technology, and demonstrate how advanced technology can be used in an innovative application. Overall, many different fields of engineering, academia and artists can benefit from this application, enabling the development of skill and knowledge in many different engineering aspects and processes.
Dr. Ertekin received his BS degree in mechanical engineering from Istanbul Technical University. He received MS degree in Production Management from Istanbul University. After working for Chrysler Truck Manufacturing Company in Turkey as a project engine
Dr. Warren Rosen received his Ph.D. in physics from Temple University. He has served as Assistant Professor of Physics at Colby and Vassar Colleges where he carried out research in solar physics, medical physics, and instrumentation. Following this experience he was a research scientist at the Naval Air Warfare Center in Warminster, PA where he established a laboratory for research in high-performance computer networks and architectures for mission avionics and signal processing systems, and served as the Navy’s representative on several national and international standards committees. In 1997 joined the staff of Drexel University, first as a research professor in the Electrical And Computer Engineering Department and later as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Technology. Also in 1997, Dr. Rosen founded Rydal Research and Development, Inc., which has carried out research in networking devices and protocols for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the Office of Naval Research. Dr. Rosen is the author or co-author of over 80 publications and conference proceedings and the holder of six U.S. patents in computer networking and signal processing.
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3444-0883
Drexel University (Eng. & Eng. Tech.)
[biography]
Mr. Eric Carr is an Instructor with Drexel University’s Department of Engineering Technology. A graduate of Old Dominion University’s Computer Engineering Technology program and Drexel's College of Engineering, Eric enjoys finding innovative ways to use microcontrollers and other technologies to enhance Drexel’s Engineering Technology course offerings. Eric is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Computer Engineering at Drexel, and is an author of several technical papers in the field of Engineering Technology Education.
I am a continuing education student in the Drexel University Electrical Engineering Technology program.
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