Hand-wound voice coil coupled with a thin aluminum plate to display vibration patterns in a fine medium. A project to be published in Make Magazine in 2008.
I'm using a signal generator -- it can create different wave shapes at a wide range of frequencies. I'm probably using a hardware one for this video, but you can also find them for your computer and drive it with a sound card.
Yeah, it needs to be insulated - electricity takes the shortest path it can find, and given a choice, won't want to run through the entire coil but will just jump crosswise through it (or whatever). If it's truly not varnished... maybe a thin layer of spray paint?
I have been working on it! Found your tutorial in Make Magazine. I see you are using coated magnet wire. The only magnet wire I was able to find at the store is uncoated. Is this going to cause any hazards?
If you can get your hands on Make Magazine issue 16 (or get it from their website) there are details. I used a signal generator, and if you search for the term "signal generator" you can probably find a software one as well. I got my speaker setup by getting a speaker, and then tearing it apart! Simple, if a bit wasteful. But old speakers can be found here and there.
Thank you so much. I was wondering if you also could point me in the direction of somewhere where I can see some info on correctly attaching the speaker magnet to the voice coil. Also, how are you powering your speaker device?
It's possible to make it work with just audio coupling (e.g. placing the speaker under the sheet) but you have to make the audio very very loud! 1/8 inch steel is also very heavy and stiff, so your vibrations may be pretty small -- I used a much thinner material; less mass is easier to move. But experimentation is what it's all about, so good luck!
OMG! Wow! It looks just like how our cells divide! hmmm, corralation?
maharley27 1 month ago
I'm using a signal generator -- it can create different wave shapes at a wide range of frequencies. I'm probably using a hardware one for this video, but you can also find them for your computer and drive it with a sound card.
EdwinWiseOne in reply to uhatethetruth (Show the comment) 3 months ago
I'm new to the subject and wanted to know what you are using to make the actual sound. Is it an amplifier? Can you tune it to a specific hz?
uhatethetruth in reply to EdwinWiseOne (Show the comment) 3 months ago
Yeah, it needs to be insulated - electricity takes the shortest path it can find, and given a choice, won't want to run through the entire coil but will just jump crosswise through it (or whatever). If it's truly not varnished... maybe a thin layer of spray paint?
EdwinWiseOne in reply to MrDesertstars (Show the comment) 4 months ago
It would also be helpful if you could provide some information on how to remove a speaker magnet
MrDesertstars in reply to EdwinWiseOne (Show the comment) 4 months ago
I have been working on it! Found your tutorial in Make Magazine. I see you are using coated magnet wire. The only magnet wire I was able to find at the store is uncoated. Is this going to cause any hazards?
MrDesertstars in reply to EdwinWiseOne (Show the comment) 4 months ago
If you can get your hands on Make Magazine issue 16 (or get it from their website) there are details. I used a signal generator, and if you search for the term "signal generator" you can probably find a software one as well. I got my speaker setup by getting a speaker, and then tearing it apart! Simple, if a bit wasteful. But old speakers can be found here and there.
EdwinWiseOne in reply to beeyalen (Show the comment) 4 months ago
I'm also not sure where to find a speaker magnet and a voice coil. Radio Shack does not carry it, and they said they do not know who would have them
beeyalen in reply to EdwinWiseOne (Show the comment) 4 months ago
Thank you so much. I was wondering if you also could point me in the direction of somewhere where I can see some info on correctly attaching the speaker magnet to the voice coil. Also, how are you powering your speaker device?
beeyalen in reply to EdwinWiseOne (Show the comment) 4 months ago
It's possible to make it work with just audio coupling (e.g. placing the speaker under the sheet) but you have to make the audio very very loud! 1/8 inch steel is also very heavy and stiff, so your vibrations may be pretty small -- I used a much thinner material; less mass is easier to move. But experimentation is what it's all about, so good luck!
EdwinWiseOne in reply to beeyalen (Show the comment) 4 months ago