Makeblock is an integrated construction system based on aluminum extrusion, providing a one-stop solution for mechanical, electronic, and software design. With Makeblock, you can create professional robots, smart toys, and even art pieces. Its user-friendly feature allows you to easily turn your imagination into reality, with the only limitation being your creativity.
For more information, please visit the Makeblock official website.
The music robot is composed of multiple components, including timing belts, sliding rails, stepper motors, electromagnets, motor drivers, and Arduino Uno. You can even use Makeblock to build a robot that can play the piano, unleashing your creativity!
Currently, the robot can be controlled remotely through a USB connection to a computer or via Bluetooth connection to a smartphone. Additionally, a special app for Android phones is under development.
Let’s embark on the musical robot-making journey!
This tutorial “Making Music with Makeblock” will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to build a wooden xylophone-playing robot using Makeblock. Now, let’s get creative!
Step 1: Materials List
Materials list:
1 × Beam 0808-80
1 × Beam 0808-128
3 × Beam 0824-64
5 × Beam 0824-80
7 × Beam 0824-96
1 × Beam 0824-128
1 × Plate 7×9
1 × Bracket 3×6
4 × Bracket 3×3
1 × Step Motor Bracket
2 × Timing Pulley 90T
4 × Timing Pulley Slice 90T
1 × Link Rod
2 × Slider 496
1 × Timing Belt 2m
8 × V-slot Bearing
4 × Flange Bearing 4×8×3mm
1 × Shaft Connector 4mm
2 × Threaded Shaft 4×31mm
2 × Shaft Collar 4mm
5 × Headless Screw M3×5
15 × Plastic Rivet R4120
4 × Plastic Rivet R3075
20 × Plascic Ring 4x7x2mm
10 × Plastic Ring 4x8x1mm
4 × Countersunk Screw M3×8
15 × Screw M4×8
50 × Screw M4×14
10 × Screw M4×22
20 × Nut M4
20 × Nylon Lock Nut 4mm
1 × Cross Screwdriver
1 × Screwdriver 3mm
2 × Screwdriver 1.5mm
5 × Nylon Cable Ties
Electronic Modules List:
1 × Meduino
1 × Acrylic Arduino Bracket
1 × Me-BaseShield
1 × Solenoid-12V
1 × Stepper Motor
1 × Me-Stepper Motor Driver
1 × Me-Limit Switch
1 × USB Cable
2 × 6P6C cable 20cm
1 × Wall Adapter Power Supply – 12VDC
Xylophone:
1 × Xylophone
1 × Xylophone Hammer
Step 2: Tools
Tools:
1.5mm Hexagonal Screwdriver
3mm Hexagonal Screwdriver
Cross Screwdriver
Slotted Screwdriver
Pincer Pliers
Scissors
Glue Gun
Adhesive Tape
Step 3: Driven Pulley Holder
39 More Images
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
Step 4: Cut Link Rod
Materials list:
1 × Link Rod
Procedure:
Cut the Link Rod by using the Pincer Pliers.
Step 5: Slider Device and Music Play Arm
45 More Images
Materials List:
1 × Beam 0808-128
2 × Beam 0824-128
1 × Bracket 3×6
1 × Bracket P3
1 × Plate 7×9
8 × Bearing for Slider
1 × Threaded Shaft 4×31mm
1 × Shaft Collar 4mm
1 × Headless Screw M3×5
5 × Screw M4×8
9 × Screw M4×14
8 × Screw M4×22
22 × Nut M4
1 × Solenoid – 12v
Step 6: Stepper Motor and Electronic Modules Holder
Materials List:
2 × Beam 0824-64
2 × Beam 0824-80
3 × Beam 0824-96
1 × Bracket 3×3
2 × Screw M4×8
16 × Screw M4×14
Step 7: Add Stepper Motor
Materials List:
1 × Step Motor
1 × Step Motor Bracket
1 × Timing Pulley 90T
2 × Timing Pulley Slice 90T
4 × Plastic Rivet R4120
1 × Shaft Connector 4mm
1 × Headless Screw M3×5
2 × Countersunk Screw M3×8
4 × Screw M4×14
2 × Nut M4
Step 8: Install to the Slider
Materials List:
2 × Slider 496
8 × Screw M4×14
Procedure:
1. Install the Driven Pulley Holder to the Slider.
2. Install the Slider Device to the Slider.
3. Install the Step Motor and Electronic Modules Holder to the Slider.
Step 9: Add Electronic Modules
odules List:
1 × Arduino
1 × Acrylic Arduino Bracket
1 × Me-BaseShield
1 × Step Motor
1 × Step Motor Controller
1 × Me-Limit Switch
4 × Plastic Rivet R4120
2 × Screw M4×8
2 × Screw M4×14
3 × Nut M4
The User Guide of Stepper Motor
Step 10: Connect the Electronic Modules
Materials List:
2 × 6P6C cable 20cm
Procedure:
1. Connect the Step Motor to the Step Motor Controller.
2. Connect the Step Motor Controller to Me-BaseShield.
3. Connect the Limit Switch to Me-BaseShield.
4. Connect the Solenoid-12V to Me-BaseShield.
Step 11: Add Timing Belt
Materials List:
1 × Timing Belt
1 × Link Rod
2 × Screw M4×8
Step 12: Add Xylophone Hammer
Materials List:
1 × Xylophone Hammer
4 × Nylon Cable Ties
Procedure:
Install the Xylophone Hammer on Beam 0808-128 by Nylon Cable Ties.
Step 13: Upload the Arduino Code and Play the Music
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 and the application for windows can be downloaded here.
The Music Robot can also be controlled by the SmartPhone through the bluetooth, and the special application for Android Phone is in planning.