The mechanical music automata have been developed since thousands years ago for mimicking sound of animals or playing a melody. They are documented and/or preserved in many countries, with solutions that reflect the evolution of mechanical manufacture and technology in these areas. In this article, a timeline of the ancient literature in both western and eastern countries is arranged to clarify the historical development of music-playing automata. The functional mechanical design parameters are arranged based on the four fundamental music characteristics as pitch, duration, intensity and timbre. Moreover, the mechanical music generators are also classified into wind, percussion, strings instruments and the steel music comb according to their composition. These music-playing automata are analyzed in four main units, namely power system, music generator, transmission and mechanical puppets. Finally, seven ancient automata are analyzed as illustrative examples from the viewpoint of mechanism design for these analysis and classification.

Chen, Y., Ceccarelli, M., Yan, H. (2018). A historical study and mechanical classification of ancient music-playing automata. MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY, 121, 273-285 [10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2017.10.015].

A historical study and mechanical classification of ancient music-playing automata

Ceccarelli, Marco
;
2018-01-01

Abstract

The mechanical music automata have been developed since thousands years ago for mimicking sound of animals or playing a melody. They are documented and/or preserved in many countries, with solutions that reflect the evolution of mechanical manufacture and technology in these areas. In this article, a timeline of the ancient literature in both western and eastern countries is arranged to clarify the historical development of music-playing automata. The functional mechanical design parameters are arranged based on the four fundamental music characteristics as pitch, duration, intensity and timbre. Moreover, the mechanical music generators are also classified into wind, percussion, strings instruments and the steel music comb according to their composition. These music-playing automata are analyzed in four main units, namely power system, music generator, transmission and mechanical puppets. Finally, seven ancient automata are analyzed as illustrative examples from the viewpoint of mechanism design for these analysis and classification.
2018
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore ING-IND/13 - MECCANICA APPLICATA ALLE MACCHINE
English
Con Impact Factor ISI
AutomataHistorical developmentMechanical classificationsMechanical design parametersMechanical manufactureMechanical systemsMechanism design
Chen, Y., Ceccarelli, M., Yan, H. (2018). A historical study and mechanical classification of ancient music-playing automata. MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY, 121, 273-285 [10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2017.10.015].
Chen, Y; Ceccarelli, M; Yan, H
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/247399
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