The Mechanic Orchestra

The project is a box that plays music notes when the user touches on of the metal objects on the top, which act like piano keys, just more unorthodox. The box is to change a bit of perception of the user since its not a normal thing for metal industrial objects to make piano like key notes. This is the main reason why the box is painted red. It is to resemble that of a worker's toolbox from the past, so the metallic red was used.

As for materials go, the needed items go in the following:

The metal parts are essential to the construction of the box. Here above is a picture of the assortment of metal object that I used and all bought from Lowe's too, not sponsored.

Next we have the paint and brushes that I used to color the box the desires color. It takes a blend of both to make the color I got. Mainly use more red then silver to get desires results.

The most crucial part of the project, the box/housing unit. This box is used to have slots for the keys and to house the cpx (circuit playground express), and its ion lithium battery. The battery and cpx are adhered to the inside of the box using Velcro.

The cutting tools were used to cut holes in the dimensions of the box via pen lines. The scissors were used to cut the wires and the boxcutter for the holes in the box.

This is the progress shot compilation of how the box transformed into the final iteration/phase. The image above is the first shot. The proceeding shots follow this one below. The captions tell what has been done during the time between the previous shot and current shot. You will want to make sure each side already painted is dry before moving to paint another side of the box that hasn't been painted.

This step is the most tricky step when constructing the box inner workings. The space is somewhat small to work in since you need to tape the wire pieces you cut to the metal keys that are too big for the alligator clip to fit somewhat secure on. Work on connecting the inner pieces to the alligator clips. Using electric tape first then duct tape after helps secure the wire to the metal keys. Make sure that the metal wire is connecting to the key but one at one point. The other part of the wire is going to connect with the alligator clip connection. Also, if the use of a larger box is available, use that. That will allow for more ease of access when a wire needs to be checked or changed. Lastly, use electric tape if you need to shorten the alligator clip wire if too long. This makes fixing connections to the cpx easier and less time consuming.

This is the finished product. A box that plays notes of music when the user touches one of the metal pieces/keys. There are 7 keys, the small one is just for show, though can be used if one of the other alligator clips is taken off another key and attached to it. Also, if the audio volume is obscured by the box then poking holes on the side of box with the nail can allow for sound to escape the box and increase the overall quality/volume with use of dial. The box's demo video is below.