1. Investigate experimentally the dynamics of piano action mechanisms and interpret this in the context of perceived tonal control by trained pianists.
2. Develop and validate a computer simulation model capable of predicting the dynamic behaviour of a piano action mechanism.
3. Construct a simple user interface for accessing the model and applying it in an industrial design context

The piano action model represents the kinematics and kinetics of the action components as discrete, flexible bodies interacting through contact surfaces that have compliance and friction. Kinematics is related to component geometry and spatial relationships; kinetics studies component motions and how these are related to forces. Together these two constitute a complete dynamic model.

Graph-theoretic modelling techniques for general multi-body dynamic systems are being developed by the Motion Research Group and, in particular, applied to a variety of mechanisms and machinery. Symbolic nonlinear equations of motion can be automatically generated and adjusted according to component parameters and geometry. Numerical methods for solving the governing stiff system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are used to generate solutions automatically for a given set of action parameters and interconnection topology. Dynamic response to a specified input, in terms of the computed motions of all action components, is reported and displayed through animation. The model is being experimentally validated under a range of conditions and for a variety of modern and historical piano action designs. There will be significant undergraduate and graduate student participation in both the experimental and computational aspects of this work.

Articles.
SH Birkett. Static and dynamic balancing of a piano key (discussion paper).

M Hirschkorn, SH Birkett & J McPhee (2003). Kinematic model of a piano action mechanism. Proc. 19th Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics (CANCAM), Calgary, June 1-6, 2003.

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©2004 Stephen Birkett