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Hi Eric

Thanks for your advice. I think we might end up with having someone make metal gears for us.

We have a large round table with 15 music boxes. Visitors can punch their own holes - either according to premade patterns or quite freely. The activity has been a great success - apart from the music boxes breaking down...

Best,
Frode

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Fra: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] På vegne av Eric Yuan
Sendt: 30. juni 2009 16:13
Til: [log in to unmask]
Emne: Re: Music Box in museum

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Hello Frode,

If you can't find a robust version...

Try replacing the plastic gears with metal gears.  Check out your local
machine shop or engineering supply house and send them the plastic gear to
match the tooth number, pitch, bore size etc...  

I expect your problem is visitors cranking the machine too fast.  Consider
adding an external crank knob that distances the visitor from the machine,
linked by an o-ring belt that allows some slip, and/or a small slip clutch.
Or replace the metal crank handle with a small finger knob that limits the
torque your visitors can put on the machine.

I find that almost all consumer products have a certain life expectancy in a
museum environment.  You could replace the actual music box with an
electronic version that uses light sensors, but that wouldn't be half as
fun.

Good luck,

-Eric


*****************************************
Eric Yuan
Exhibit Developer
Children's Museum of New Hampshire
6 Washington St
Dover, NH 03820
(603) 742-2002
www.childrens-museum.org
*****************************************

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