PianoDisc LPS User manual

1
PianoDisc
LPS
Installation Manual for the
PianoDisc Low Profile System
Version 2.4
Sept. 2018
PianoDisc
4111 North Freeway Blvd.
Sacramento, a. 95834
www.pianodisc.com
[phone] Fax [phone]

2
TABLE OF ONTENTS
Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………………………Page 2
Introductory……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 3
Step 1 Disassemble the Piano……………………..…………………………………………….…..Page 4
Step 2 Remove the Keybed……..…………………………….……………………………………….Page 9
Step 3 – Measure the back key spacing for key solenoids…………………………….Page 13
Step 4 – Take keyframe measurements………………………………………………………….Page 18
Step 5 – Create back rail bead on keyframe in necessary……………………………..Page 20
Step 6 – Cut the keyframe………………………………………………………………………………Page 21
Step 7 – Mark the location of the solenoid rail slot……………………………………...Page 24
Step 8 – Prepare to cut the solenoid slot……………………………………………………….Page 28
Step 9 – Cut the solenoid slot…………………………………………………………………………Page 29
Step 10 – Reinforce the keybed………………………………………………………………………Page 32
Step 11 – Assemble tray, solenoid rails and guide solenoids ………………………..Page 32
Step 12 –Locating and installing service tool inserts…………..…………………………Page 36
Step 13– Cut legs to fit solenoid slot……………………………………………………………….Page 37
Step 14 – Installing the trap work……………………………………………………………………Page 38
Step 15 – Adjust key solenoid plungers……………………………………………………………Page 57
Step 16 – Installing key solenoids…………………………………………………………………….Page 58
Step 17 – Plug in driver boards……………………………………………………………………… Page 61
Step 18 – Setup for burn in………………………………………………………………………………Page 63
Step 19 – Burn in the unit………………………………….……………………………….……………Page 64
Step 20 – Install driver boards into the tray assembly.…..………………………………Page 64
Step 21 – Drill hole thru belly rail for wires…………………………………………………….Page 65
Step 22 – Mount CPU……………………………………………………………………………………….Page 65
Step 23 – Mount the power supply…………………………………………………………………Page 66
Step 24 – Mount power strip………………..………………………………………………………….Page 67
Step 25 – Install keybed to piano…………………………………………………………………… Page 68
Step 26 – Regulate action……………………………………..………………………………………….Page 68
Step 28 – Set up communication with the PD system……………………………………..Page 69
Step 29 – Adjust pedal solenoid……………………………………………………………………… Page 70
Step 30 – Final check list……………….…………………………………………………………………..Page 70
Step 31 – Ground strap installation…………………………………………………………………..Page 71
Appendix A – Keybed removal………………………………………………………………………… Page 72
Addendum 1 – Steinway Sostenuto…………………………………………………………………..Page 73
Addendum 2 – Keyframe modifications/shift lever……………………………………………Page 75
Addendum 3 – Sostenuto Jig………………..……………………………………………………………Page 76
LP Service Tools.………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 77
PianoDisc Parts ID.…………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 80

3
Low Profile PianoDisc Installation Manual
This installation manual will guide you through the process of fitting a PianoDisc reproducing piano
system to virtually any grand piano. Along with the knowledge and experience gained from a
PianoDisc Installation Seminar, this guide should be an invaluable resource.
Information contained in this manual is considered confidential by PianoDisc, and is for the sole use of
PianoDisc ertified Technicians. It may not be reproduced, distributed or quoted in whole or in part
without the express written permission of PianoDisc.
The installation instructions in this guide pertain only to the PianoDisc Low Profile Reproducing System.
PianoDisc Reproducing Systems may ONLY be installed by technicians certified by PianoDisc as
qualified to perform such installations. If you have come into possession of this manual and / or a
Retrofit Kit and you are not a PianoDisc ertified Technician, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PERFORM THIS
INSTALLATION.
Installations not performed by a certified PianoDisc technician WILL NOT meet the requirements for
warranty protection from PianoDisc and likely such an installation would also void the piano
manufacturer’s warranty. Installation mistakes may cause violations of F regulations that could
result in an enforcement action by the F .
Technicians may be certified by attending a PianoDisc Installation Seminar. Another option for the
technician is by attending an onsite training evaluation and certification class conducted by a PianoDisc
Factory Installation Technician duly authorized to certify technicians.
A candidate for PianoDisc certification should be a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) and thus certified
by the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG). A candidate who does not qualify under this rule will be
evaluated on an individual basis with emphasis on total experience as a piano technician and possible
previous experience in retrofitting pianos with other player piano mechanisms.
In the interest of continuous improvement, we encourage piano technicians to comment on this
installation manual by writing to:
Piano Disc
4111 North Freeway Boulevard
Sacramento, A 95834
You may also fax your comments to PianoDisc at this number. [phone].
Technical support for PianoDisc ertified Technicians is available Monday through Friday, 8AM to Noon
and 1PM to 5PM Pacific Time at [phone].

4
1. Disassemble the piano
NOTE: Text in BLUE refers to keybeds that are removed from the piano.
A. Inspect the piano
•While the mover is still present, inspect the piano thoroughly pointing out any damage and the
information should be documented on inspection form with the mover’s signature.
NOTE: Once you sign off on the mover’s paper work you assume any damage found on piano if not
reported.
•It is also important record the damage on an inspection sheet and pictures if possible.
B. Remove the music desk, fallboard and keyslip from the piano.
•The music desk is easy to remove as it will typically just slide or lift out of the piano. It is a good
idea to carefully place all case parts so they will not be damaged while the piano is being worked
on.
•Some keyslips are held down by a wedge between the keyslip and the keyblocks. To remove this
type of keyslip, remove the screws holding the keyblocks down against the keybed. Often there is
a folding wing nut on the bottom of the keybed making this type of keyblock quite easy to remove.
If the fallboard is not mounted on the keyblock remove the keyblocks from the piano and then
remove the keyslip.
Illustration 1 – Keyslip & screw
•Another type of keyslip is designed with a slot in the back side of the keyslip that slides friction
tight over a hidden screw in the end of the keyblock. On this style the keyslip will slide up and off
the screw head in the end of the keyblocks. (See Ill. 1)

5
•Some fallboards are attached to the cheek blocks at each end of the keyboard. On this style the
screws holding the cheek blocks must first be removed. Typically the screw is found directly
underneath on the keybed. After the fasteners are removed, the fallboard and keyblocks are
removed as a unit. Be careful as the keyblocks often come off the fallboard easily when the piano
no longer prevents them from doing so.
C. Mark the location of the keyframe on the keybed.
•Make sure that during removal of the fallboard and keyblocks, the keyframe has not moved. If
there is any doubt, put the keyblocks back into place and use the keyframe guides in the keyblock
to position the action correctly. Gently remove the keyblocks being careful to not move the
action. Draw a line around the keyframe on the keybed. This will help you place the keyframe
correctly later in the process.
Illustration 2 - Marking front of keyframe
•Make side to side marks on the front rail to aid in positioning the keyframe later in the process.
Get a piece of wood (anything will do) 1 (25mm) to 2 (50mm) inches square with a square end.
(See Ill. 2) Mark 3 positioning lines between the front rail and the keybed equally spaced across
the keyframe. Place the piece of wood against both the front rail and the keybed. Without
moving the block of wood, use a pencil to mark a line on both the front rail and the keybed. These
positioning lines will ensure that you will be able to place the action side to side later in the
process.

6
Illustration 3 - Marking side of keyframe
•Make front to back marks between the end of the keyframe and the keybed. These marks will
help you position the keyframe accurately front to back later in the process. Remove the
keyblocks without moving the keyframe. Using the same process as on the front rail, place the
block of wood against both the keybed and the keyframe and make alignment marks for front to
back positioning using a sharp pencil. Do this at both ends of the keyboard. (See Ill. 3)
•You now have the ability to easily position the keyframe on the keybed whenever that is needed
during the process of installing a PianoDisc system in this piano.
D. Measure key height.
Illustration 4 - Measuring key height
E. Front Key Height.
•Key height is an important measurement that must be taken at this point. (See Ill. 4)
•Later you may need to set the height of the keys back to their original height.
•Use a ruler to measure from the top of the keytop to the top of the keybed.

7
F. Remove the action from the action cavity.
•With your hand vertical and the guide pins between your fingers, pull the action from the action
cavity and place it on a workbench.
•If the piano arrives at your workshop on its side the action is nearly impossible to remove because
the hammers are rotated up from the rest cushions. To solve this, you will need to tilt the piano in
order to remove the action from the piano. Use a rubber mallet to tap on the keybed to help
hammer settle to their rest position.
•New pianos shipped in a crate usually have the hammers tied down. If this is the case you can
remove the action from the action compartment while the piano is still on its side.
Illustration 5 - Measuring key height – back
G. Back Key Height.
•You will need this measurement later on to calculate the length of the solenoid plunger.
•Use a ruler to measure the distance between the bottom of the key and the keybed. Do this at the
end of each section of the piano. Likely you will see variance in these numbers. (See Ill. 5)

8
Illustration 6 - Sostenuto hook Illustration 6a – Draw line for reference
H. Mark the Center location of the sostenuto hook on the keybed and reference line at action stop.
•Disconnect the sostenuto pitman from the sostenuto hook.
•Use a 6” (15cm) rule to find the center of the sostenuto hook.
•With the square transfer this mark to the keybed. (See Ill. 6)
•Draw a reference line at the keyframe stop to locate keyframe to keybed for later use. (See Ill. 6a)
I. Lid removal.
•It is optional as to whether or not you remove the lid.
•Tape the hinge pins to the appropriate hinge to ensure that the hinge pins do not get lost during
the installation.
•If you remove the lid, as with the other case parts, store in a safe location and in a safe manner so
no damage will result.
•If you leave the lid on the piano secure the lid with a rubber band or soft cotton rope so it cannot
fall.
Illustration 7 - Piano on side

9
J. Place the piano on its side.
•At this point, place the piano on a skid.
Illustration 8 – Outline leg on keybed Illustration 8A – Mark leg location
K. Mark leg locations on the keybed and legs.
•With the piano on its side, use a pencil to draw the outline of the left and right legs.
•On the top of each leg mark the location on the piano. (See Ill. 8A)
oustomarily, the bass keybed leg is #1, the treble keybed leg is #2 and the leg under the bass
bridge is #3.
•This information will be indispensable later when portions of the legs will likely be cut away.
2. Remove the keybed (if possible).
A. Determine if keybed removal is possible.
•If possible, the job of installing a PianoDisc system is much easier if the piano allows you to remove
the keybed from the instrument.
•Many, but by no means all, newer pianos allow removal of the keybed. A number of older pianos,
as well as all Steinway pianos, do not.
B. Check Appendix A of this manual.
•Appendix A, page 72 of this manual contains a list of piano makes with easily removable keybeds.
•While PianoDisc has tried to help you out here, this list cannot possibly be all inclusive.
•However, if the piano you are working on is not on the list the keybed may still be removable.
C. If in doubt, check to see if the keybed is glued onto the rim and belly rail.
•If the keybed is not glued to the rim and belly rail you will be able to remove the keybed.
•If you find that the keybed is removable do so. Otherwise you will be working inside the action
compartment rather than on the bench. On the bench is much more convenient and sensible if
possible.
D. Set up locating pins for the keybed.
•heck to see if the manufacturer included position pins. (See Ill. 9)
oIt is important to get the keybed back to its original location.
oAlso, with the pins in place, it is much easier to remove and install the keybed.

10
oWhen you remove the keybed screws the locating pins will keep the keybed from falling until
you are ready to physically move the keybed to a bench.
Illustration 9 - M&H locating pin Illustration 10 – PianoDisc stainless steel locating pin
•Locate the PianoDisc stainless steel positioning pins in the kit. (See Ill. 10)
oThe pin is sturdy and because it is made from stainless steel will not corrode.
•Mark for two locating pins.
oPianoDisc prefers location pins at the end of the arms.
•Note: Drilling the holes for the locating pins is a two-step process. The hole in the rim or the belly
rail needs to be an interference fit, that is, the hole should be smaller than the pin by about 1/64”
(.4mm). The hole in the keybed should be larger than the hole in the rim or belly rail, about the
actual size of the pin.
Illustration 11 - Wood drill guide Illustration 12 – Store bought drill guide
•Drill the hole in the rim or belly rail.
ohoose a drill bit about 1/64” (.4mm) smaller than the pin you intend to use.
oDrill through the keybed so that the hole in the rim is about 1-1/2”(40mm) deep.
oMake sure you drill in a true vertical to the keybed surface because angled pins will make your
life quite difficult when removing and re-installing the keybed.
oUse a drill guide to drill a straight hole. (See Ill. 11 and 12)