# Robotic Xylophone with Adafruit Grand Central ## Overview https://youtu.be/pl2HLWOYdqk ## Your New Musical Butler This robotic musician uses miniature solenoids to tap out melodies on a [toy xylophone](https://www.amazon.com/Subay-Colorful-Xylophone-Inspire-Childrens/dp/B01MSOSY63/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1548972041&sr=8-14&keywords=xylophone). The [Adafruit Grand Central M4](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-grand-central) controls each of the eight solenoids using CircuitPython, one of the fastest growing programming languages, specifically designed to simplify experimenting and learning.  This guide demonstrates how to build your own robotic xylophone rig, and how create your own melodies in CircuitPython. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/531/medium800/robotics___cnc_IMG_1201.jpg?1549062265) ## The Electronics ### Adafruit Grand Central M4 Express featuring the SAMD51 [Adafruit Grand Central M4 Express featuring the SAMD51](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4064) Are you ready? Really ready? Cause here comes the **Adafruit Grand Central** featuring the **Microchip ATSAMD51**. This dev board is so big, it's not named after a Metro train, it's a whole freakin' _station_! This board is like a freight... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4064) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4064/guides) ![Angled Shot of the Adafruit Grand Central M4 Express featuring the SAMD51.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4064-05.jpg) ### Mini Push-Pull Solenoid - 5V [Mini Push-Pull Solenoid - 5V](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2776) Solenoids are basically electromagnets: they are made of a coil of copper wire with an armature (a slug of metal) in the middle. When the coil is energized, the slug is pulled into the center of the coil. This makes the solenoid able to pull (from one end) or push (from the other). This... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2776) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2776/guides) ![Mini Push-Pull Solenoid wired to Trinket, activating back and forth](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/2776-07.jpg) ### N-channel power MOSFET [N-channel power MOSFET](https://www.adafruit.com/product/355) When you need to switch a lot of power, N-channel MOSFETs are best for the job. These FETs can switch over 60A and 30V and are TO-220 packages so they fit nicely into any breadboard or perfboard. Heat sinking is easy with TO-220's, but because of the very low Rds(on) of down to 0.009 ohms... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/355) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/355/guides) ![N-channel power MOSFET in TO-220 package](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/355-02.jpg) ### 1N4001 Diode - 10 pack [1N4001 Diode - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/755) This here is a 10 pack of the classic 1N4001 power blocking diode. These are good for reverse polarity protection (put it between your DC power jack and circuitry to avoid a negative-voltage that would zap your delicate electronics), kickback protection (place across your solenoids, relays... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/755) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/755/guides) ![ 10 pack of 1N4001 Diodes](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/755-03.jpg) ### 5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed [5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276) This is an FCC/CE certified and UL listed power supply. Need a lot of 5V power? This switching supply gives a clean regulated 5V output at up to 2000mA. 110 or 240 input, so it works in any country. The plugs are "US 2-prong" style so you may need a plug adapter, but you can pick one... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/276/guides) ![Angled shot of power supply.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/276-06.jpg) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ![USB cable - USB A to Micro-B - 3 foot long](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/592-01.jpg) ### Premium Male/Male Jumper Wires - 20 x 3" (75mm) [Premium Male/Male Jumper Wires - 20 x 3" (75mm)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1956) Handy for making wire harnesses or jumpering between headers on PCB's. These premium jumper wires are 3" (75mm) long and come in a 'strip' of 20 (2 pieces of each of ten rainbow colors). They have 0.1" male header contacts on either end and fit cleanly next to each... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1956) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1956/guides) ![Angled shot of Premium Male/Male Jumper Wires - 20 x 12 (300mm)](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1956-02.jpg) ### JST-PH Battery Extension Cable - 500mm [JST-PH Battery Extension Cable - 500mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1131) By popular demand, we now have a handy extension cord for all of our JST PH-terminated battery packs (such as our LiIon/LiPoly and 3xAAA holders). One end has a JST-PH compatible socket, and the other end has a matching plug. Between the two, 500mm of color coded wire. Handy for wearable... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1131) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1131/guides) ![Front shot of JST-PH Battery Extension Cable.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1131-00.jpg) ### Hook-up Wire Spool Set - 22AWG Solid Core - 6 x 25 ft [Hook-up Wire Spool Set - 22AWG Solid Core - 6 x 25 ft](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1311) Perfect for bread-boarding, free wiring, etc. This box contains 6 spools of solid-core wire. The wire is easy to solder to and when bent it keeps its shape pretty well. We like to have a few spools of this stuff around which is why this set is quite nice! We suggest picking up wire strippers... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1311) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1311/guides) ![Hook-up Wire Spool Set in box with 6 colorful wires coming out](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1311-04.jpg) ### Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block [Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block](https://www.adafruit.com/product/368) If you need to connect a DC power wall wart to a board that doesn't have a DC jack - this adapter will come in very handy! There is a 2.1mm DC jack on one end, and a screw terminal block on the other. The terminals are labeled with positive/negative assuming a positive-tip configuration... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/368) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/368/guides) ![Angle shot Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/368-03.jpg) ### Hakko Professional Quality 20-30 AWG Wire Strippers [Hakko Professional Quality 20-30 AWG Wire Strippers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527) These are the finest wire strippers we have used, and if you have to do a lot of wiring, you will agree! They have soft rounded grips - very comfortable to use, and precision ground notches that do a perfect job every time. No more yanking or twisting to strip wires cleanly and quickly. Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/527/guides) ![Red and black multi-size wire stripplers, closed](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/527-02.jpg) ## Materials - [Xylophone](https://www.amazon.com/Subay-Colorful-Xylophone-Inspire-Childrens/dp/B01MSOSY63/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1548972041&sr=8-14&keywords=xylophone) - Wire strippers - Laser cutter and acrylic (optional) Doing some prep work ahead of time can simplify this build immensely. Trimming and setting aside the wires you'll need can save yourself confusion later on. Follow this image to find and set aside what you'll need before diving into building the circuit. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/778/medium800/robotics___cnc_IMG_1050.jpg?1548198408) ## Play On Read on to learn how to build your own robotic musician! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/070/536/medium800/robotics___cnc_638E3FC7-113C-4342-BFE5-1E15C43B6655.jpg?1549072866) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/robotic-xylophone-with-circuit-python/solenoid-circuit.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit Grand Central M4 Express featuring the SAMD51 [Adafruit Grand Central M4 Express featuring the SAMD51](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4064) Are you ready? Really ready? Cause here comes the **Adafruit Grand Central** featuring the **Microchip ATSAMD51**. This dev board is so big, it's not named after a Metro train, it's a whole freakin' _station_! This board is like a freight... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4064) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4064/guides) ### Mega protoshield for Arduino [Mega protoshield for Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/192) This is an extra large proto-shield, specifically designed for the Mega! It comes with PCB, two buttons and a full set of stacking headers. You can stack this shield easily since it comes with extra long female headers The kit includes:   - 1 x MEGAshield... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/192) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/192/guides) ### 5V 4A (4000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed [5V 4A (4000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1466) Need a lot of 5V power? This switching supply gives a clean regulated 5V output at up to **4 Amps** (4000mA). 110 or 240 input, so it works in any country. The plugs are "US 2-prong" style so you may need a plug adapter, but you can pick one up at any hardware store for $1 or so,... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1466) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1466/guides) ### 5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed [5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276) This is an FCC/CE certified and UL listed power supply. Need a lot of 5V power? This switching supply gives a clean regulated 5V output at up to 2000mA. 110 or 240 input, so it works in any country. The plugs are "US 2-prong" style so you may need a plug adapter, but you can pick one... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/276) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/276/guides) ### 9 VDC 1000mA regulated switching power adapter - UL listed [9 VDC 1000mA regulated switching power adapter - UL listed](https://www.adafruit.com/product/63) This is a really nice power supply. It's a switching DC supply so it's small and light and efficient. It is thin so it fits in power strips without blocking other outlets. The output is regulated so you'll get a steady 9V up to 1000mA (1 Amp) of current draw. 5.5mm/2.1mm barrel... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/63) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/63/guides) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ### N-channel power MOSFET [N-channel power MOSFET](https://www.adafruit.com/product/355) When you need to switch a lot of power, N-channel MOSFETs are best for the job. These FETs can switch over 60A and 30V and are TO-220 packages so they fit nicely into any breadboard or perfboard. Heat sinking is easy with TO-220's, but because of the very low Rds(on) of down to 0.009 ohms... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/355) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/355/guides) ### 1N4001 Diode - 10 pack [1N4001 Diode - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/755) This here is a 10 pack of the classic 1N4001 power blocking diode. These are good for reverse polarity protection (put it between your DC power jack and circuitry to avoid a negative-voltage that would zap your delicate electronics), kickback protection (place across your solenoids, relays... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/755) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/755/guides) ## Related Guides - [Introducing the Adafruit Grand Central M4 Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-grand-central.md) - [Adafruit OV7670 Camera Library For SAMD51 Processors](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-ov7670-camera-library-samd51.md) - [A CLI in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/a-cli-in-circuitpython.md) - [How to Choose a Microcontroller](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-choose-a-microcontroller.md) - [Using Python on Windows 10](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-python-on-windows-10.md) - [Grand Central USB MIDI Controller in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/grand-central-usb-midi-controller-in-circuitpython.md) - [Currying in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/partials-in-circuitpython.md) - [Use circup to easily keep your CircuitPython libraries up to date](https://learn.adafruit.com/keep-your-circuitpython-libraries-on-devices-up-to-date-with-circup.md) - [CircuitScheme - Lisp on CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/scheme-in-circuitpython.md) - [Grand Central Soundboard in Ten Minutes](https://learn.adafruit.com/grand-central-soundboard-in-ten-minutes.md) - [A Z80 CP/M emulator for the SAMD51](https://learn.adafruit.com/z80-cpm-emulator-for-the-samd51-grand-central.md) - [CircuitPython 101: State Machines, Two Ways](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-101-state-machines.md) - [FancyLED Library for CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/fancyled-library-for-circuitpython.md) - [Classic MIDI Synth Control with Trellis M4](https://learn.adafruit.com/classic-midi-synth-control-with-trellis-m4.md) - [Haiku Viewer for MagTag](https://learn.adafruit.com/haiku-viewer-for-magtag.md)