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I've been working hard on this project for a little while now. It's not the first nor the fastest machine that cuts out these music box strips, but I'm very happy with the results. Here it is in action! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etWETnmRU74
A python script I wrote takes GI30F exports from this site (or MusicBoxComposer 30-Note .MBC files) and converts the note data into a Gcode program, which can then be run on a small laser cutter. The roller designs were borrowed from this Instructables (https://www.instructables.com/Making-Music-Box-Punch-Machine-With-Arduino/), though modified slightly to work a little better.
As a Christmas gift to my mom, I've also been working on another way to play these songs. She has a "Mr. Christmas" music box player, that is tuned identically to the GI20 format on here. A small modification to the script lets one input a GI20 DXF or 20-Note MBC file and output an SVG, which a laser cutter can then use. I used 1/32" clear acrylic for the material. It's a little thicker than the actual disks, but it works well enough! The song choice is a little challenging, because it must fit within a 26 second runtime. I've put a few of the disks up on the Github, if anyone else wants to cut one out!
Oh! And the last thing. I've noticed that sometimes trying to import a song from MusicBoxManiacs to MusicBoxComposer via MIDI file doesn't quite work. MusicBoxComposer will sometimes try its best to scale notes for a "best fit", which makes things sound a bit wonky. I've included a tool called dxf2mbc.py, also in the Github, that lets one convert a GI30F or GI20 DXF file to .MBC file, which retains the proper notes. Hopefully someone finds that useful!
Your project is awesome and inspiring!!! Thank you for sharing the code. I friend of mine is musician and uses a barrel organ with perforated cardboard on his shows. He programs the organ cutting the cards by hand. I though on building a machine with the same concept as yours to help him create music in a more automated way. What laser power are you using? Regards, Fran Alfaro
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Your project is awesome and inspiring!!! Thank you for sharing the code. I friend of mine is musician and uses a barrel organ with perforated cardboard on his shows. He programs the organ cutting the cards by hand. I though on building a machine with the same concept as yours to help him create music in a more automated way.
What laser power are you using?
Regards,
Fran Alfaro
Thanks!
For the strip machine, I use a 5W blue laser. For cutting out the disks, I use a K40 40-watt laser.
This is so GREAT!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing! BRAVO!!!
Dang