A selection of solenoids, designed and developed by Keighley, West Yorkshire-based NSF Controls Ltd, is actuating an orchestra of computer-controlled musical instruments, in a unique sound presentation that is delighting visitors to the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem, Israel.

Opened in August 2006, the Soundscapes Exhibition is installed in the museum’s open-air courtyard and comprises numerous oversized instruments including a harp, drums, tambourines, bells and contrabass, which are automatically played by computer command.

Mechanical arms, actuated by the NSF rotary and tubular solenoids, play the instruments with each creating its very own sound. Musical notes are produced by the instruments at different times, inviting visitors to tour the orchestral features and enjoy this unique outdoor concert and its spectacular complementary floodlighting.  

NSF supplied the solenoids to TMM - Motion & Magnetic Technologies Ltd, of Ramat-Gan, Israel. TMM, acting as a sub-contractor on the Soundscapes project, modified the solenoids to suit the different actuation requirements of each instrument within the orchestra.  

The harp incorporates rotary solenoids, the cymbals and rings incorporate both tubular and rotary solenoids, the giant cello incorporates tubular solenoids, and the ‘Peacock’ system operates using rotary solenoids.                   

TMM’s technical directors and co-owners Hezi Koren and Kami Ben-Shem Feldschuh comment: “NSF rotary and tubular solenoids are robust and very well constructed, and, though we needed to carry out some minor modifications for them to suit the application, they were our first choice for this demanding application.”        

Having been closed for the winter, Soundscapes has recently reopened for Passover, spring and summer, and is again providing an enchanting backdrop to the Museum itself.  

NSF commercial manager, Roy Whitaker, sums up: “NSF solenoids are used in a wide variety of challenging applications throughout the world, but this is probably the most interesting and diverse I have seen thus far.”