Development and Evaluation of a Novel Mechatronic Percussion System

<p>While numerous attempts at creating mechatronic percussion systems exist, many have been limited to only playing a single membranophone or idiophone. These systems inherently lack the ability to reproduce the expressive nature of strikes which human players are capable of and often require manual reconfiguration in order to vary the striking location, type of beater or striking angle. The few which are able to pan across multiple instruments often lack the ability to perform expressively. We designed a mechatronic percussion system that provides expressivity through controllable variability of the acoustic properties inherent to percussion instruments. Our system can play across the range of an entire traditional drum kit, whether it is set up in a completely horizontal formation, vertically staggered or includes other percussion instruments. When continuously operating at maximum speed, the system is capable of playing for five hours before one subsystem is at risk of failing. Our system possesses two "wrists", each capable of gripping a variety of beaters. A single wrist can reliably perform single drum strokes at a frequency of 21 Hz, surpassing that of the world's fastest drummer. Operating both wrists results in a striking frequency of 51.9 Hz. The level of force behind each stroke and resultant acoustic quality can be controlled to produce an expressive performance. A unique feature of this system is the use of a compliant grip, applying variable pressure to the beater held and allows for a variety of beater diameters to be incorporated.</p>

Development and Evaluation of a Novel Mechatronic Percussion System

<p>While numerous attempts at creating mechatronic percussion systems exist, many have been limited to only playing a single membranophone or idiophone. These systems inherently lack the ability to reproduce the expressive nature of strikes which human players are capable of and often require manual reconfiguration in order to vary the striking location, type of beater or striking angle. The few which are able to pan across multiple instruments often lack the ability to perform expressively. We designed a mechatronic percussion system that provides expressivity through controllable variability of the acoustic properties inherent to percussion instruments. Our system can play across the range of an entire traditional drum kit, whether it is set up in a completely horizontal formation, vertically staggered or includes other percussion instruments. When continuously operating at maximum speed, the system is capable of playing for five hours before one subsystem is at risk of failing. Our system possesses two "wrists", each capable of gripping a variety of beaters. A single wrist can reliably perform single drum strokes at a frequency of 21 Hz, surpassing that of the world's fastest drummer. Operating both wrists results in a striking frequency of 51.9 Hz. The level of force behind each stroke and resultant acoustic quality can be controlled to produce an expressive performance. A unique feature of this system is the use of a compliant grip, applying variable pressure to the beater held and allows for a variety of beater diameters to be incorporated.</p>

EVALUATION OF PARAMETERS OF HYDRAULIC IMPACT DEVICES OF ACTIVE BUCKET WITH DIRECT CONNECTION TO THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM OF II GRADE EXCAVATOR

The impact power of hydraulic percussion system of active bucket of Belarus EO-2628 excavator with a capacity of 0.25 m required for the effective mining of rocks with ultimate compressive strength of 60-80 MPa and frozen soils of V-VIII category is determined. The diagram of direct connection of hydraulic impact devices to excavator hydraulic system is presented. Using the HPS software, the parameters and characteristics of impact devices are selected.