Print in Place Music Box mk2

An updated attempt at making a printable music box based on Parametric Music Box using my own planetary gear arrangement.

The fatal flaw of the previous design was fatigue failure of the comb. This is an experiment in using alternative materials. First up is piano wire. I could only source 0.5mm wire locally but that's a start, ~1mm would be more suitable.

After printing, the gears must be freed up. Use a razor blade or similar to separate the ring gears. You don't need to cut deep, just get the crack started all the way around. Turning the knob should free up the internal gears.

The musical comb is made by bending wire into small staple shapes and inserting into the guide holes which may be drilled out if required. They can be secured in place using glue or heat if not already a tight fit. Taking care to align the fingers with their respective protuberances on the cylinder.

Perhaps bending little ‘L’ or ‘U’ shapes in the ends of the wire would make alignment more forgiving and reduce wear.

If it's a bit stiff at first, keep turning it. It will only get looser over time as the gears wear in.

Sound quality is still pretty poor but perhaps thicker wire of longer lengths will yield better results. A resonating chamber is also required. Input could be a hand driven flywheel, wind turbine or perhaps a water wheel as part of a desktop fountain display.