dgallup : Yes i've broken some rods but it was my bad for this prototype : bad material + bad design : aluminium, rough grinding and no smooth transition at the clamped end. The first note broke after 3 months of non-intensive use, the others are still working but they're probably all slowly...
You're right.
I have no experience dealing with fatigue, but i guess i should grind the rods to a shape like pic #3, to avoid concentrating too much stress on a small area ? + Polishing should help to prevent crack initiation
I have no luck.. the problem is I need to do a tapering at the clamped end, to make the rod in-tune with itself (harmonic tuning) :
You can see the same design used for toy pianos : (this pic is not mine)
my instruments are sort of improved version of the toy piano
I plan to use felt with...
Thank you for your answer, i'll ask my supplier for the strength of their stainless steel
Do you know what affects sound quality in a material ? Lower modulus means more sustained harmonics ?
Hello,
I need to choose a material for the sound rods i use in my musical instruments. There will be thin (3mm dia) metal rods, clamped at one end, that vibrate to produce sound when striked. I first chose Brass for its acoustic qualities (seems to resonates longer than steel for the high...
