Group 1 2012 Gate 5

In this gate, we finalized our findings and reviewed our process and presented them in a technical report. In addition to a written report about the project, we also presented a proposed revision discussed in Gate 4 to the class and instructors.

'PUT PICTUARS EVERYWHERE!!! ALL THE PICTURARS!'

Technical Report

Product Analysis Summary

The analysis process for the piano primarily focused on a dissection and reverse-engineering of components and systems. The following is an overview of the main stages of analysis we performed.

Dissection and Reconstruction

The parameters of the analysis project required us to disassemble the piano down to its base components, and later reassemble the piano back to its original working functionality. In general, both disassembly and reassembly were completed quickly and without major setbacks. We were somewhat surprised to see that virtually all of the piano was held together with Phillips head screws and glue. This made the disassembly and reassembly considerably easier than initially anticipated. Due to the extreme weight and relative fragility (it is made of cast iron) of the frame, we opted not to remove it from the housing of the piano. Due to safety concerns over high tension wires snapping and the fear of breaking any of the strings, we also opted not to remove any from the frame. These decisions greatly sped up the disassembly and reassembly processes.

Product Disassembly

The following is an overview of the disassembly process. For an in-depth review, see Gate 2: Product Dissection. ever cannot be removed from the action without first removing a select few mutes from the action to expose its fastening screws.

1. Remove screw-fastened pieces of the housing.
2. Remove pedal assemblies, pedal bars, and linking dowels.
3. Detach keys from action pull rods and then remove.
4. Remove action from housing.
5. Remove action end brackets from action.
6. Remove hammer springs, hammer rest, and mute lever from action.
7. Remove mutes and action linkage/hammer sub assemblies.

When dissecting the action, we found it extremely helpful to rest it on an elevated pedestal to allow access from as many angles of the action at once as possible. It is also important to note that several of these general steps can or must occur concurrently. For instance, the pedals are connected to the action by two easily removed dowels, their removal has almost no impact on the removal of the action. Conversely, the mute lever cannot be removed without first removing several select mutes to allow access to its fastening screws.

Product Reassembly

The reassembly was a relatively simple process, and proceeded almost exactly in reverse of the deconstruction process. Since group members already understood the subsystem layout and interaction, the rebuild went smoothly and quickly. Only two group members were needed for the reassembly. The reconstruction is covered more thoroughly in Gate 4.

The first significant deviation from the disassembly process was in the insertion of the action into the housing. Having not previously put it back into the housing, we were surprised at the amount of force and shimmying it took to properly seat the action back in the housing. Care also had to be taken to ensure that the pull rod for each hammer was attached to the correct key, and that the pedals were correctly adjusted so as not to move the mutes or hammers too close to the piano.

Analysis Process

Chris, write whatever you want as long as the bullshit to cynical realism ratio doesn't drop below 2.

Component Summary

Our analysis revealed that the upright piano can be generalized as consisting of three main components: the cast iron frame that holds the strings in place,the action that translates key depression into hammer movement, and the exterior wooden housing that supports and protects the other components.

For a more in-depth analysis of the components of the piano, see Gate 3: Product Analysis.

Proposed Revisions

Chorded Keyboard