Making Music With Makeblock

Makeblock is an aluminum extrusion based construction system that provides an integrated solution for aspects of mechanics, electronics and software design. With Makeblock you can make professional robots, toy machines or even art-ware. It's super easy-to-use and helps bring your creations to life. The only limit is your imagination.

For more information, please visit Makeblock website listed below:

www.makeblock.com/

The Music Robot was built with the timing belt, sliding rail, step motor, electromagnet, motor driver and an Arduino Uno. And even you can build a play the piano robot with Makeblock by yourself.

So far the robot can be controlled by application via USB cable installed on computer, and it can also be controlled by the Smartphone through the Bluetooth. The special application for Android Phone is in planning.

Getting Started
This instructable, Making Music with Makeblock, will show you the step-by-step instructions on how to build a robot to play the Xylophone by Makeblock.
Now let's have some fun!

Materials list:
1 × Beam 0808-144
3 × Beam 0824-64
7 × Beam 0824-80
4 × Beam 0824-96
1 × Beam 0824-128
4 × Bracket 3×3
1 × Bracket P3
1 × Step Motor Bracket
2 × Timing Pulley 90T
4 × Timing Pulley Slice 90T
1 × Link Rod
1 × Rubber band
2 × Slider 496
1 × Timing Belt
8 × Bearing for Slider
4 × Flange Bearing 4×8×3mm
1 × Shaft Connector 4mm
2 × Threaded Shaft 4×31mm
2 × Shaft Collar 4mm
2 × Headless Screw M3×5
2 × Copper Stud M4-15
12 × Plastic Rivet R4120
4 × Plastic Rivet R3075
2 × Countersunk Screw M3×8
14 × Screw M4×8
49 × Screw M4×14
8 × Screw M4×22
26 × Nut M4

Electronic Modules List:
1 × Arduino
1 × Acrylic Arduino Bracket
1 × Me – Motor Driver
1 × Limit Switch
1 × Step Motor
1 × Step Motor Controller
1 × Solenoid - 12v
1 × Wall Adapter Power Supply - 12VDC
Jumper Wires

Xylophone:
1 × Xylophone
1 × Xylophone Hammer

learn more

Tools

1.5mm Hexagonal Screwdriver

3mm Hexagonal Screwdriver

Cross Screwdriver

Slotted Screwdriver

Pincer Pliers

Scissors

Glue Gun

Adhesive Tape

Materials List:
3 × Beam 0824-80
2 × Beam 0824-96
1 × Bracket 3×3
1 × Timing Pulley 90T
2 × Timing Pulley Slice 90T
4 × Plastic Rivet R4120
2 × Flange Bearing 4×8×3mm
1 × Threaded Shaft 4×31mm
1 × Shaft Collar 4mm
1 × Headless Screw M3×5
2 × Screw M4×8
1 × Nut M4
10 × Screw M4×14

Procedure:
1. Install the Beam 0824-80 on Beam 0824-96 by using a Screw M4×14.
2. Install the other 3 Screw M4×14.
3. Install another Beam 0824-80 on Beam 0824-96 with 4 Screw M4×14.
4. Install the Beam 0824-80 on Beam 0824-96 to make a Driven Pulley Holder.
5. Install the Bracket 3×3 on Beam 0824-96 with 2 Screw M4×8.
6. Put a Timing Pulley Slice 90T on the Timing Pulley 90T.
7. Insert a Plastic Rivet R4120 into the holes on the Timing Pulley Slice 90T and the Timing Pulley 90T.
8. Insert the other 3 Plastic Rivet R4120.
9. Turn over the Timing Pulley Slice 90T and the Timing Pulley 90T.
10. Put the other Timing Pulley Slice 90T on the Timing Pulley 90T.
11. Press the Plastic Rivet R4120.
12. Insert the Threaded Shaft 4×31mm into the Flange Bearing 4×8×3mm.
13. Insert the Threaded Shaft 4×31mm with the Flange Bearing 4×8×3mm into the Timing Pulley 90T.
14. Insert the other Flange Bearing 4×8×3mm into the Timing Pulley 90T.
15. Put the Shaft Collar 4mm on the Threaded Shaft 4×31mm.
16. Insert a Headless Screw M3×5 into the Shaft Collar 4mm.
17. Install the Driven Pulley on the holder.

Materials list:
1 × Link Rod

Procedure:
Cut the Link Rod by using the Pincer Pliers.

Materials List:
1 × Beam 0808-144
1 × Beam 0824-64
2 × Beam 0824-80
2 × Bracket 3×3
1 × Bracket P3
8 × Bearing for Slider
2 × Flange Bearing 4×8×3mm
1 × Threaded Shaft 4×31mm
1 × Shaft Collar 4mm
1 × Headless Screw M3×5
2 × Copper Stud M4-15
1 × Link Rod
5 × Screw M4×8
9 × Screw M4×14
8 × Screw M4×22
22 × Nut M4
1 × Solenoid - 12v

Procedure:
1. Insert the Screw M4×22 into the Bearing for Slider.
2. Insert the other 3 Screw M4×22 into the Bearing for Slider.
3. Insert and tighten Nut M4 per screw.
4. Insert the 4 Screw M4×22 with Bearing for Slider and Nut M4 into the Beam 0824-64.
5. Insert and tighten Nut M4 per screw on the Beam 0824-64.
6. Do the same as 1~5 discribe to install another Slider Device.
7. Insert 2 Screw M4×14 into the Beam 0824-64 to install it on the Slider Device.
8. Insert 2 Screw M4×14 into the Bracket 3×3 and the Beam 0824-64 to install them on the other Slider Device.
8. Insert 2 Screw M4×14 into the Bracket 3×3 and the Beam 0824-64 to install them on the other Slider Device.
9. Install 2 Copper Stud M4-15 on the Beam 0824-64 by 2 Screw M4×14.
10. Put the Solenoid - 12v on the Beam 0824-64 next to the Copper Stud M4-15.
11. Use the Link Rod and 2 Screw M4×14 to fix the Solenoid on the Beam 0824-64.
12. Insert the Flange Bearing 4×8×3mm into the Bracket P3.
13. Insert the Threaded Shaft 4×31mm into the other Flange Bearing 4×8×3mm.
14. Insert the Threaded Shaft 4×31mm with the Flange Bearing 4×8×3mm into the Bracket P3.
15. Put the Shaft Collar 4mm on the Threaded Shaft 4×31mm.
16. Insert a Headless Screw M3×5 into the Shaft Collar 4mm.
17. Tie the electromagnet core of the Solenoid - 12v to the Beam 0808-144 by Iron Wire.
18. Install the Rubber Band into the Bracket 3×3.
19. Install the Music Play Arm on the the Bracket 3×3.
20. Insert a Screw M4×14 into the Beam 0808-144 with a Nut M4.
21. Connect the Bracket 3×3 and the Beam 0808-144 by the Rubber Band.
22. Install the other Bracket 3×3 on the Bracket P3.

Materials List:
2 × Beam 0824-64
2 × Beam 0824-80
2 × Beam 0824-96
1 × Beam 0824-128
1 × Bracket 3×3
2 × Screw M4×8
1 × Limit Switch
16 × Screw M4×14

Procedure:
1. Install the Beam 0824-64 on Beam 0824-96 by using a Screw M4×14.
2. Install the other 3 Screw M4×14.
3. Install another Beam 0824-64 on Beam 0824-96 with 4 Screw M4×14.
4. Install the Beam 0824-128 on Beam 0824-96 with 4 Screw M4×14.
5. Use the Glue Gun to install the Limit Switch on the Bracket 3×3.
6. Install the Bracket 3×3 with the Limit Switch on Beam 0824-64.
7. Install the Beam 0824-80 on Beam 0824-64 to make the Step Motor Holder.
8. Install another Beam 0824-80 on Beam 0824-128 to make the Electronic Modules Holder.

Materials List:
2 × Slider 496
8 × Screw M4×14

Procedure:
1. Install the Slider Device to the Slider.
2. Install the Driven Pulley Holder to the Slider.
3. Install the Step Motor and Electronic Modules Holder to the Slider.

Electronic Modules List:
1 × Arduino
1 × Acrylic Arduino Bracket
1 × Me – Motor Driver
1 × Step Motor
1 × Step Motor Controller
Jumper Wires

Materials List:
1 × Step Motor Bracket
1 × Timing Pulley 90T
2 × Timing Pulley Slice 90T
8 × Plastic Rivet R4120
4 × Plastic Rivet R3075
1 × Shaft Connector 4mm
1 × Headless Screw M3×5
2 × Countersunk Screw M3×8
3 × Screw M4×8
6 × Screw M4×14
3 × Nut M4

Procedure:
1. Put a Timing Pulley Slice 90T on the Timing Pulley 90T.
2. Insert a Plastic Rivet R4120 into the holes on the Timing Pulley Slice 90T and the Timing Pulley 90T.
3. Insert the other 3 Plastic Rivet R4120.
4. Turn over the Timing Pulley Slice 90T and the Timing Pulley 90T.
5. Put the other Timing Pulley Slice 90T on the Timing Pulley 90T.
6. Press the Plastic Rivet R4120.
7. Put the Step Motor Bracket on the Step Motor.
8. Insert 2 Countersunk Screw M3×8 into the Step Motor Bracket to install the Step Motor.
9. Install the Shaft Connector 4mm on the Timing Pulley 90T by 2 Screw M4×14.
10. Put the capstan with the Shaft Connector 4mm on the Step Motor.
11. Insert a Headless Screw M3×5 into the Shaft Connector 4mm.
12. Install the Step Motor on the Step Motor Holder.
13. Install the Step Motor Controller on the Step Motor Bracket.
14. Put the Arduino on the Acrylic Arduino Bracket.
15. Insert a Plastic Rivet R3075 into the holes on the Arduino and the Acrylic Arduino Bracket.
16. Insert the other 3 Plastic Rivet R3075.
17. Press the Plastic Rivet R3075.
18. Install the Arduino on the Electronic Modules Holder by 4 Plastic Rivet R4120.
19. Install the Me – Motor Driver on Beam 0824-128 by a Screw M4×8.

Materials List:
Jumper Wires

Procedure:
1. Connect the Step Motor to the Step Motor Controller.
2. Connect the Step Motor Controller to Arduino.
3. Connect the Limit Switch to Arduino.
4. Connect the Me-Motor Driver to Arduino.

Materials List:
1 × Timing Belt
1 × Link Rod
2 × Screw M4×8

Procedure:
1. Install the Timing Belt on the Slider Device by the Link Rod and a Screw M4×8.
2. Install the Timing Belt on the Driven Pulley.
3. Install the Timing Belt on the Capstan.
4. Measure the length of the Timing Belt.
5. Cut the Timing Belt.
6. Install the Timing Belt on the Slider Device by the Link Rod and a Screw M4×8.

Materials List:
1 × Xylophone Hammer
1 × Adhesive Tape

Procedure:
Install the Xylophone Hammer on Beam 0808-144 by the Adhesive Tape.

Materials list:
1 × USB Cable(A plug to B plug)
1 × Wall Adapter Power Supply - 12VDC

Procedure:
1. Connect the Arduino to the computer by using the USB cable.
2. Connect the Wall Adapter Power Supply - 12VDC on the Arduino.
3. Upload the Arduino Code of the Music Robot.

The Arduino Code can be downloaded here:

www.makeblock.com/download

The application for Windows:
http://blog.makeblock.cc/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/MusicRobot-V2.0.zip

The Music Robot can also be controlled by the SmartPhone through the bluetooth, and the special application for Android Phone is in planning.