electronics for a diy ribbon controller

[Tony Clark]

   Here's an interesting possibility, but not practical for anyone who 
isn't involved in this kind of technology...

   Take a relatively thin metal strip (thick enough so that it doesn't 
bend too much when mounted between two clamps.  Adhere a strain gage pair 
to each end of the metal strip.  The two strain gage pairs can then be 
connected in a bridge fashion.  Send a positive voltage to one pair and a 
negative voltage to the other pair.  Then depending on where your finger 
is on the strip, you'll be able to get a voltage that corresponds to it.
   Again, this really isn't practical to people who don't know much about 
strain gages.  And they're expensive in the per piece price.  But since I 
work with them every day...hmm...I just may have to try this!
   Incidentally I built a joystick controller utilizing strain gages.  
Took four pairs to get x and y, but it worked like a charm!  Since it was 
built out of a solid aluminum bar, the joystick didn't move at all and 
could take quite a bit of abuse.  Perfect for those "power" gamers who 
trash Sega controllers.  :)

   Tony

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I can't drive (my Moog) 55!        |     The E-Music DIY Archive
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Tony Clark -- clark at andrews.edu    | aupe.phys.andrews.edu/diy_archive
http://aupe.phys.andrews.edu/~clark|     Contributions welcomed!
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