DrasticShift

Problem and Solution

As always with development...We encounter an obstacle. The basic design has not changed much... The only visible change is the platter. Many have stated concerns to the stability of the record. I came up with 3 wonderful solutions...all of which are costly and mechanically complicated. The difficult part is making a frame for my DIY friends who are interesting in modifying the design to meet there needs. So if everything seems solved, then what's the problem.

1-The motor, having the perfect motor required me to come up with a circuit control board and amp. Which worked but does not fit in the design, and to do so isn't cheap. I have to use another motor (which is hard to find)

2-The Platter, Leaving the design the way it was required a locking mechanism which added much more weight, which the motor couldn't handle and over time, could possibly warp the record. but works.

3-The Needle- is biggest and most expensive problem of them all. Needles are costly, they are also not engineered in the the way my concept is. So I had to opt out for a simpler solution.

So what does this mean? Nothing... I just found what doesn't work and now I can move on.

The motor issue was solved by adding a clear platter, so that's two birds right there. The needle is your standard everyday replaceable needle, Just glorified the Generic.

So no problems then? Only manufacturing... of course this cost money which I need funding for. This is where you come in.

Thank you for the support so far. I intend to post videos soon of a working prototype. I am aiming for two weeks.

Thank you Jonathan Feldman

For being the first Pledge and early adopter.

Kickstarted and Launched.

Project launch has now began. Help me spread the word.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drasticshift/turnstyle

R&D

My origional concept was easy and minimal. The Motor with an adjustable speed control would be the drive system for the turntable. It was suppose to be direct drive. However...there is an issue with torque. I intended to use a stepper motor, which would work perfectly to provide the exact speed and and torque needed. This would require other...electronics which would just be too expensive for production. I would have liked to make it to my ideal specifications, but this route would lead to a slightly more expensive turntable. It would also take longer too build. There are 3 things that I needed to change to keep costs down. Sadly, the needle is one of those things.

I will be replacing the needle with a standard reader (which make it easier for anyone to build for a DIY project). The original needle was just designed from scratch. I would like to keep that aspect true to itself, but i cannot build this technology with my limitations...(yet).

The motor will no longer be a direct drive stepper motor with adjustable speed controls, as i had to change those mechanics for easier production. To reduce the speed of the motor I had to go with a more mechanical route and an electrical one.

Power and Controls will also change.. the power had some issues in the sense that,to create what i wanted, it would require circuitry, extra components and engineering. That's the easy part... having to fit under budget was the hard part. This is where you come in. For power, i will be using a 6 VDC 800 MA WALL TRANSFORMER for power. As for the controls.. they are pretty much staying the same. On/Of button. Since there is an issue with cost of flat speakers, I will be getting rid of them all together. Don't worry You will still be able to DIY if you choose... but for now, the volume control will be either changed to speed control, or removed altogether.

Here are a view pictures during brainstorming process.