Innovations sometimes come like a lightning bolt
from the sky, but more often are the result of a sustained, disciplined
approach to testing ideas. At Powell we
know that each flutist blows differently and touches the flute keys with
differing pressures. In order to control
variables like these we develop tools and techniques that come to close to
replicating the “typical” flutist, but also allow us to accommodate other
playing styles.
Powell is currently investigating the quality of
the seal between pads and tone holes. In
order to conduct the necessary tests we developed a simple “bionic finger” that
close a key with pressure that is equivalent to finger pressure and also comes
from the same angle as a flutist’s finger.
The device uses a series of weights on a shaft which approach the flute
key from a tangent position. We add
weights until the key closes securely then we total the amount of weight
required.
The bionic finger device does not result in an innovation, but allows us to test other ideas that could well improve the quality of the flute. Stay tuned…
The bionic finger device does not result in an innovation, but allows us to test other ideas that could well improve the quality of the flute. Stay tuned…
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The "bionic finger" aims to replicate human finger pressure and position. |