Cymatics - Voice Coil Chladni Plate Driver

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.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• cymatic
• chladni
• vibration
• sound
• make

[maharley27]

OMG! Wow! It looks just like how our cells divide! hmmm, corralation?

[EdwinWiseOne]

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.

[uhatethetruth]

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?

[EdwinWiseOne]

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?

[MrDesertstars]

It would also be helpful if you could provide some information on how to remove a speaker magnet

[MrDesertstars]

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?

[EdwinWiseOne]

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.

[beeyalen]

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]

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?

[EdwinWiseOne]

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!