[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKCX1CeXIjA]
With some careful programming and probably tedious testing, [Tim] was able to get his CNC router to play [Jonathan Coulton’s] “Still Alive”. He didn’t just tell the motors to spin at the correct speeds directly though. He computed the 3d vectors necessary to produce the notes. The router thinks it is just doing its job. We would love to see those vectors rendered out in 3d space. Imagine having a physical sculpture of “Still Alive” as seen by a CNC machine. This reminds us of the Obsolete Technology Band.
[via Skullydazed’s twitter]
that is SO COOL!
Reminds me of ending up modifying various hardware and running cables all through the building to solve a software problem with a 2 minute fix.
It’s the satisfaction of perfection…
And I was expecting the song “Everybody Dance Now.” Still very cool project.
Hah, yeah i’ve been wanting to do a 3D song thing for a while with our CNC, but i have no idea where to even start. It would most likely just dull a good tool from the varying RPM’s. I’m sure i could find a bad tool with mostly good edges, but still, anyone have any ideas on how to start?
Also, WTF is actually happening in the video? i can’t even see any cutting going on.
-Taylor
The thought of manufacturing machines singing this song to themselves while working is nothing less than chilling.
_NICE!_
Sounds like a pump organ with a hole in it at some parts. :) Seriously though, what a task to accomplish. Incredible and well done.
Taylor> It’s not cutting at all, it’s the stepper motors stepping at different speeds which is generating the tones. It’s using X and Y as two different voices. I didn’t see if the router was going up and down so there might have a 3rd Z voice.
IIRC at least one model of HP ScanJet understood SCSI command that would play arbitrary notes with the scan head drive motor. There was some tune that it would play out of ROM if you held on the scan button while powering it on as well.
i love the idea of machines singing away to themselves at night, when nobody is around. they could have an orchestra!
Cool. However, if someone were to give me a cnc mill, or if I ever finish the one I’ve been working on I can think of much better uses than this. Oh, well, who am I to judge someone’s muse?
I like how he used rubber tube and pipe clamps to attatch the motor shafts to the ball-screw. I’ve been trying to figure out a cheap way to do that for a while now for my own mill.
Very impressive!
Making a note….
Huge Success!
“The thought of manufacturing machines singing this song to themselves while working is nothing less than chilling.”
I thought exactly the same !
Will it also give me a lobotomy?
This was a triumph.
I was just thinking of that day we all quoted that song in the comments I though it was funny and I cant seem to find it…
Pure genius.
thats awesome!
I’ve always wanted a CNC mill. Now I want one even more.
EMC:
http://media.adamziegler.net/cnc/use/20070830/videos.html
you airdtag are someone speacial never forget that but you must let the world know who you are from the experiences and dreams you fullfill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JPBdBIFGNQ#t=0m55s
F1 car playing some music
@sean: The song is mostly 2-note, but there are a few places where it busts into a full 3-note harmony. Still Alive was a very good first test since it never has more than 3 notes on at any given time. I’d like to play ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’, but it’s too complex to sound good on a 3-axis machine :)
Well, the song is nice, but the cake is still a lie!
@ Ic bs
Ugh.
Someone just had to do it.
GlaDOS would be proud of her minions
not as good as that one, not even hackish, but I’m proud of it:
http://www.rawrstudios.com/labs/tribute/GLaDOS/
I did it some time ago
Bohemian Rhapsody played with an Atari 800XL, a hard drive, floppy drive and several scanners.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht96HJ01SE4&hl=en&fs=1]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht96HJ01SE4
The resulting 3D model would presumable resemble a cake (as mentioned in a comment on youtube). ;)
Dude that glados site is so cool
Really loving it !!!
another very well made one (now with horrible comments plastered over the top of it :()
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNcfS5xADjY
Great post man (or woman!)… Love your writing! Can’t wait to see more. Is there a subscribe feature here?
Thanks for the great post! This blog really is great and offers a lot of insight!