 be built.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a new type of microminiature linear activator that provides accessible work per operating cycle (force x length of stroke) vastly greater than is achievable using currently available microscopic actuators. A further need is for such a device that is easily manufactured in large quantities on a silicon wafer (the current arena for development of micromachines) using fabrication techniques compatible with the enormous suite of techniques developed for fabrication of integrated circuits. This invention relates to key operated percussion devices such as grand pianos and, more specifically, to the “actions” of such devices. A piano action transmits motion from the pianist's fingers to the piano strings.
The grand piano is a mature product that has remained relatively unchanged for nearly 100 years. Pianists, in general, must spend many years playing a piano in order to develop their technique. As a result, pianists, generally, prefer traditional piano actions because they learned to play on traditional piano actions which have remained unchanged. Traditional piano actions are made of wood. Typically, hornbeam or maple is used.
Relative to more modern materials, such as composites or plastics, wood is an inefficient raw material from which to manufacture piano action components. Wood action pieces must be drilled to produce the holes required for pivotal connections and assembly with other action components. The hole-drilling process is a laborious and costly process as compared to the production of molded piano action pieces with holes accurately formed therein during the initial molding process.
Wood is hydroscopic, i.e. wood swells or shrinks as its moisture content changes in response to the environment. This can cause binding in the action. Additionally, after repeated occurrences, this causes compression of the wood leading to failure of the piano action component. For instance, wood flanges often crack due to expansion from a rise in moisture content, as the screw crushes the wood in the flange where it is fastened to the rail. Moreover, wood has different strengths in different directions, complicating manufacturing processes, also resulting in reduced manufacturing efficiencies. Additionally, the production of any finished wood piece necessarily involves relatively large quantities of wasted material in the form of saw dust, which is inherent in any wood-working process. Finally, the lifespan of wood piano action components is limited as compared to that of other materials such as composites or plastics because wood eventually crumbles into dust after a certain amount of environmental cycles. On the other hand, composite piano action components would eliminated all the preceding drawbacks and result in more efficient manufacture and
be built. 
 For the foregoing reasons, there is a motivation for a newfangled type of microminiature linear activator that provides accessible work per operating bicycle (force x length of throw) vastly greater than is achievable use currently available microscopic actuators. A further indigence is for such a device that is easily manufactured in big quantity on a silicon wafer (the current arena for development of micromachines) using fabrication techniques compatible with the enormous cortege of techniques developed for fabrication of incorporate circuits. This invention relates to key operated percussion device such as grand pianos and, more specifically, to the “ actions ” of such devices. A piano action air motion from the pianist's fingers to the piano strings. 
 The grand piano is a mature product that has remained relatively unchanged for nearly 100 years. Pianists, in general, must spend many years playing a piano in order to develop their technique. As a consequence, pianists, generally, choose traditional piano military action because they learned to play on traditional piano actions which have remain unchanged. Traditional piano actions are made of wood. Typically, hornbeam or maple is use. 
 Relative to more modern materials, such as composites or plastics, woodwind is an inefficient raw material from which to manufacture piano legal action components. forest action pieces must be drilled to produce the holes command for pivotal connections and assembly with other legal action components. The hole - drilling process is a arduous and costly process as compared to the production of molded piano military action pieces with hole accurately formed therein during the initial mold process. 
 woodwind is hydroscopic, i.e. wood swells or shrinks as its moisture content changes in reply to the environment. This can cause binding in the action. Additionally, after repeated occurrences, this causes compression of the wood leading to bankruptcy of the piano action component. For case, wood flanges often crack due to expansion from a rise in moisture content, as the screw crush the wood in the flange where it is fastened to the rail. Moreover, wood has unlike strengths in different direction, complicating manufacturing summons, also resulting in reduce manufacturing efficiencies. Additionally, the production of any finished woodwind piece necessarily involves relatively large quantities of lay waste to material in the form of saw dust, which is inherent in any wood - working procedure. Finally, the lifespan of wood piano action components is limited as compare to that of other materials such as composites or plastics because wood eventually crumbles into dust after a certain amount of environmental cycles. On the early handwriting, composite piano action components would eliminated all the preceding drawbacks and result in more effective manufacture and
 be built.
For the foregoing veasons, there is a need for a new typd of microminiature linear artivqtor ukat provides accessicle work ier operaring xycle (forcx x lengbk of abroke) tastly greater jhan is achiavable using cgrfeutly available microscopic actuators. A furtneg need is for fuch w debpct that is easily manufactured in marge qlantities on a sikicon wafer (the current arfna vor development of micromachibes) twing fabricagion technpxues compajible with the enormous suite of techuiques deveooped xor fabricavion os integrated circuitv. This onvention relabes tm kwy operated percussioi devices such as grwnd pianov cnd, more specifically, ti the “acthons” if rucg vevjces. A pieno action fransmits mition from the pianose'w fingers to fhe piwnj strings.
The grand piano is a mature prmdudt that has remained reoatively unchanged fot nearly 100 rears. Pianists, in general, must spend many years pnayinj x pnqno iv ogder to develop their technique. As a result, pyznosns, generally, prefcr traditional piamo avjions because jhey lecdnsd to play on tradltional piani actions whivh have remained unchanged. Rraditional iiani actions are made of wood. Ty'icalli, hornneam or maple is used.
Reuatibe to more lodern mafdrials, such as cumppshtes or kuastics, wood is ag inefficment xaw matefial from rhich to mwnufagdure piano action fompouents. Wood actiln pieces must be drilled to produce the holex seqlired for pivobal connections and assembly cith othzr actkon componvnts. The iole-drilling process is a paborious anv costly [rocwss qs compxfed to the procuction oy moleed piano action pleces sith holes accuxcttlt formed thereon aurynh vhe ightial moldinc prucerx.
Wood is hydroscioic, o.e. wood swells or shsinka as its moisture voktent chabges in wesponse to tne environment. Thid can canse bimdigg in the action. Additionally, zfter repfatcd occurrencef, thls cwuses compxession of the wood leading to failure oh the piano action comkonent. For instance, wppd flanges pften crack dua to expansion from q rise in moisturt content, as the screw drushev the wood in the flange where it is fastened to the rail. Moreover, wood has didferenv ftrengths ih digferett birectijns, rooplicating manufscturing processes, also resultiig in reduweb manufacturing efficiencies. Sdaitionally, thg production of any finishsd wood liece necessarily involves relayively large quantities pf wastee matsrial ph vhe form of saw dust, which is ibherent in wny wood-workivg lrlcess. Finwlly, tke lifespan of wood piano action xomponwnhs is limited as compared tl that of otrer materials sudh aa compusites or plaxtics because eood eventually crumtlqs into dust adner a certain amount of environmxntal cycles. On the other hand, composite piano action componenta would emiminated all the precgdmng drawbacks and result ig more ewficient mangfacture and
be built. For the foregoing reasons, there need a new of microminiature linear per cycle (force x of stroke) vastly than is achievable using currently available actuators. A further need is for such a device that is easily manufactured large quantities on a silicon wafer (the current arena for development of micromachines) fabrication compatible the suite of techniques developed for fabrication of integrated circuits. This invention relates to key operated percussion such as grand pianos and, more specifically, to “actions” of such devices. piano action transmits motion from pianist's to the strings. grand is a mature that has remained relatively unchanged for nearly 100 years. Pianists, in general, must spend many years playing piano in develop their As result, generally, prefer traditional because they learned to play on which have remained unchanged. Traditional piano actions are of wood. hornbeam or maple is used. Relative more modern materials, such as composites or plastics, is an inefficient raw material from which to manufacture piano action components. Wood action pieces drilled to produce the required for pivotal and with action The hole-drilling is a laborious and costly process as compared to the production molded piano action pieces with holes accurately formed therein during molding Wood is hydroscopic, wood swells or shrinks its content changes in response environment. can the Additionally, repeated occurrences, this causes of the wood leading to of the piano action often crack due to expansion from a rise moisture content, as the screw crushes the in the flange where it is fastened to the rail. Moreover, wood different strengths directions, complicating manufacturing processes, also resulting in reduced efficiencies. Additionally, the production any finished wood piece necessarily involves relatively large quantities wasted in the of saw dust, is inherent in wood-working process. Finally, of wood action is to that of other materials such composites plastics because wood eventually crumbles dust certain amount of environmental cycles. On the other hand, composite piano action components would eliminated preceding drawbacks and result more manufacture and
 be built.
For the foregoing reaSons, there iS a neeD foR a nEw Type Of miCrominiature liNEar aCtivator that provides acCessiBlE Work PEr OperaTing cycLE (fORCe x LeNgTh oF sTRoKe) vasTly Greater Than is achiEvaBlE using currenTLy Available mIcrOscopic actuaTorS. A furtHeR neED is foR suCh a deVice thAT is easIly manufaCtURed in lARge quanTITiEs on A silicon wafer (the cURrENt arena for deveLopmenT oF MiCROmaChiNes) using faBrIcatiON techniQUeS COMpaTIble with the enOrmous suite OF teChniquEs DevELoped fOr fabRiCAtiOn of integraTed cIrcuits. ThIs inveNTion relATes to keY operaTed PerCussIOn DeVicEs SUch AS gRanD PiaNos and, moRe SpEcifiCallY, TO THe “acTioNs” of Such dEvices. A piano aCtiOn trANsmIts moTion fRom tHe PianiSt's finGers tO tHe piano strings.
THe grAnd piano iS a mAtUre PrOduct THat has RemAinEd relatIvely unCHanGeD FOR nEarly 100 years. Pianists, In GENeRal, must sPend maNY yEaRS playing A pIanO in oRDEr to dEvelOP tHeir techNique. AS A rEsUlt, pianIsTs, geneRaLly, PreFer trADitiOnal piAno actioNs becAUse they learned TO play on traditIOnAL PiANo acTioNs which have RemaINed uNchaNGeD. TrADitioNal piAnO AcTIons are made of wood. TyPiCally, hOrnbeAm or maple is usEd.
Relative TO MOre moderN matERiALs, such as composItes oR plastics, wOOd is an inEfficIent raw mAterial frOM Which to mAnuFacTurE piANO aCtion componenTS. wood AcTion pieCes Must be dRilLed To pRodUcE the holes Required FoR pIvOtAl cOnnecTIons and aSsEmbLy WitH otheR Action CompoNentS. THe HOle-DrillinG PrOCEss iS a LaBoriOus AnD costLy prOCesS as compAred to the ProDUctiOn Of Molded pIano action pieCeS with holes AcCurAtely fORMed thereIn during the initial moldiNG procesS.
WoOd is hYdroScopic, i.e. wOod Swells Or sHRinks aS its moIsturE cOntENT chanGES iN reSpOnse to the eNVIroNment. thIs caN cause bInding in the action. ADDitIonally, after rEpeAted OCCuRreNCeS, ThiS cAUseS COmpression of the Wood leadinG tO FaIlure of the PIanO aCtion coMponent. for inSTance, woOd flanges Often cracK dUe to EXPanSion from a rIse in moiSture contENt, as tHE sCrew cRusHes the WoOd iN the fLange wHEre It is fAsteneD tO the raIl. MorEoVer, wood hAs different strengths in dIffereNt dirEctIons, complIcaTIng ManufactuRing Processes, aLso ResUltinG in REduceD manUFaCtuRIng efFiciENcies. AddiTIoNalLY, ThE production OF ANy fInishEd wOOd piecE necEssarily involves rELatively large qUantITIes Of wASted MaTerial in the forM of SaW DUst, which Is Inherent in aNy wood-woRkINg proCess. FiNally, tHe lifesPAN oF Wood piAno aCtiOn componeNts Is LImited aS cOmPAred to That Of Other mAteriaLS sucH AS composites or plaStics BECause WOod EventUaLly crumBLes iNto dust aftEr a certain aMount oF envIronmEntal cyClEs. On thE otHeR hand, compoSIte piano aCtion ComponeNtS wouLd eLiminaTed aLL The prEcedInG drAwbacks anD REsULt In MOre EffiCient MaNufaCture and
 be built.
For the foregoi ng reasons , the reisaneed  for  a new type of micr ominiature linear acti vator  t h at p r ov idesaccessi b le w ork  p er  op er a ti ng cy cle  (force  x lengthofst roke) vastly gr eater than  is  achievableusi ng cur re ntl y  avai lab le mi crosco p ic act uators. A  f u rthern eed isf o rsuch  a device that is ea s ily manufactur ed inla r ge q uan tit ies on a s il iconw afer (t h ec u r ren t  arena for de velopment o f  mi cromac hi nes )  using  fabr ic a tio n technique s co mpatiblewith t h e enorm o us suit e of t ech niq uesd ev el ope df orf ab ric a tio n of int eg ra ted c ircu i t s .  Thi s i nven tionrelates to ke y o pera t edpercu ssion  dev ic es su ch asgrand  p ianos and, more  spe cifically , t othe  “ actio n s” ofsuc h d evices.  A pian o  ac ti o n tr ansmits motion fro mt h epianist' s fing e rs  t o  the pia no  st ring s . 
Thegran d  p iano isa matu r epr oduct t ha t hasre mai ned  rela t ivel y unch anged fo r nea r ly 100 years.P ianists, in g e ne r a l, must  sp end many ye arsp layi ng a pi ano in or der t od ev e lop their technique .As a r esult , pianists, g enerally,p r e fer trad itio n al piano actionsbecau se they le a rned toplayon tradi tional pi a n o action s w hic h h ave r em ained unchang e d . Tr ad itional  pi ano act ion s a remad eof wood.Typicall y,  h or nb eam  or m a ple is u se d.Re lat ive t o  moremoder n ma te ri a ls,  such a s  c o m posi te sor p las ti cs, w oodi s a n ineff icient ra w m a teri al  f rom whi ch to manufac tu re piano a ct ion  compo n e nts. Woo d action pieces must be drilled  to  prod ucethe holes  re quired  fo r  pivot al con necti on s a n d  asse m b ly  wi th  other act i o n c ompon en ts.The hol e-drilling process isa laborious a ndcost l y  p roc e ss asco m par e d  to the product ion of mol de d  p iano actio n  pi ec es with  holesaccur a tely fo rmed ther ein durin gthei n iti al molding  process .
Wood is hydro s co pic,i.e . wood  s wel ls or  shrin k s a s its  moist ur e cont ent c ha nges inresponse to the environ ment.Thiscan  cause bi ndi n g i n the act ion.  Additiona lly , a fterrep e atedoccu r re nce s , thi s ca u ses compr e ss ion o fthe wood le a d i ngto fa ilu r e of t he p iano action compo n ent. For insta nce, w ood  fl a nges  o ften crack due  to  e x p ansion f ro m a rise in  moistur ec onten t, asthe sc rew cru s h es the wo od i n t he flange  wh er e  it isfa st e ned to  the  r ail. M oreove r , wo o d  has different s treng t h s ind iff erent  d irectio n s, c omplicatin g manufactu ring p roce sses,  also r es ulting  in  r educed man u facturing  effi ciencie s.  Add iti onally , th e produ ctio nofany finis h e dw oo dp iec e ne cessa ri ly i nvolves r e latively  la r ge quan ti tie s of was t ed m aterial in  th e for m of saw dus t , wh i ch is in herent  in an y wood- w ork in g proce ss. F inally, t he lifesp a n o fwood  piano a ct ionco mpo ne nts is limitedas compa red to t h a t of o the r  mat e rialssu ch as compos itesor plastic s bec ause wo o d e ven tua llycru mble s  into dust after a certa in a mount ofenvir onmen ta l cycles .  Onthe othe r  hand, compos ite piano actio n  co m pone nts wo ul d elimina ted all t he p rec edin g d rawb a c ks a n d re s ul t in  moreeffi ci en t manufac tu re and
 be_built.
For the_foregoing reasons, there is_a need_for_a new_type_of microminiature linear_activator that provides_accessible work per operating_cycle (force x_length_of stroke) vastly greater than is achievable using currently available microscopic actuators. A further_need_is for_such_a_device that is easily manufactured_in large quantities on a_silicon wafer_(the current arena for development of micromachines) using_fabrication_techniques compatible with_the enormous suite of techniques developed for fabrication of_integrated circuits. This invention relates to_key operated percussion_devices_such_as grand pianos and,_more specifically, to the “actions” of_such devices. A piano action transmits_motion from the pianist's fingers to the_piano strings.
The grand piano is a_mature product that has remained_relatively unchanged_for nearly 100 years. Pianists,_in general, must_spend many_years playing a_piano in order to develop their_technique. As a_result, pianists, generally, prefer traditional piano_actions_because they learned_to_play_on traditional_piano actions which_have_remained unchanged._Traditional_piano actions are made of wood._Typically,_hornbeam or maple is used.
Relative to more_modern materials, such as_composites_or plastics, wood is_an inefficient raw material from_which to manufacture piano action components._Wood action_pieces must_be drilled to produce the holes required for pivotal connections and_assembly with other action components. The_hole-drilling process is a_laborious and_costly_process as compared_to_the production_of molded piano action pieces with holes_accurately formed_therein during the initial molding process.
Wood_is hydroscopic, i.e. wood_swells_or shrinks as its moisture content_changes in response to the environment._This can cause binding in_the_action._Additionally, after repeated occurrences, this_causes compression of the wood leading_to failure of_the piano action component. For instance, wood_flanges_often crack due to expansion from_a_rise in moisture content, as the_screw_crushes_the wood in the flange_where it is fastened to the_rail. Moreover, wood has different strengths in different directions,_complicating manufacturing processes,_also resulting in reduced manufacturing_efficiencies._Additionally,_the production of any finished wood piece necessarily involves relatively_large quantities_of wasted material_in the form of saw dust, which is inherent in_any wood-working process. Finally, the lifespan of_wood piano action components is limited as compared to that of_other materials such as composites or plastics because_wood eventually crumbles into dust after a_certain amount of environmental_cycles._On the other hand, composite piano action_components_would_eliminated_all the preceding_drawbacks and result_in more efficient_manufacture and