P R E C I S I O N T H R O U G H I N N O V A T I O N
Globally unique - developed at Klavieratelier Lychen - Germany
NEW DIGITAL LASER MEASURING DEVICE
P R E C I S I O N T H R O U G H I N N O V A T I O N
Globally unique - developed at Klavieratelier Lychen - Germany
NEW DIGITAL LASER MEASURING DEVICE
SCALE / DOWNBEARING MEASUREMENT
Precise measurement of string lengths and downbearing
WiFi-synchronized measuring devices
Complete datasets for scale analysis
Specification sheets for bass string production
LIVE data transfer directly to Excel
SCALE / DOWNBEARING MEASUREMENT
Precise measurement of string lengths and downbearing
WiFi-synchronized measuring devices
Complete datasets for scale analysis
Specification sheets for bass string production
LIVE data transfer directly to Excel
KEYBOARD LEVELING / KEY DIP ADJUSTMENT
The sensor scans the entire keyboard within seconds and reliably detects all key heights with an accuracy of 10 μm
Simple rotation of the measuring unit on the guide rail for black key measurements
Automatically calculates the required paper punchings and displays them graphically in color
No need to remove the action – measurements can be taken directly with the installed action in a grand piano for maximum precision
Measurement data can be saved for later corrections on the workbench after removing the action
LIVE corrections: shows adjustments and results in real time
Takes into account the keyboard’s crown (e.g., Steinway & Sons)
Wireless data transfer and Excel import via WiFi
KEYBOARD LEVELING / KEY DIP ADJUSTMENT
The sensor scans the entire keyboard within seconds and reliably detects all key heights with an accuracy of 10 μm
Simple rotation of the measuring unit on the guide rail for black key measurements
Automatically calculates the required paper punchings and displays them graphically in color
No need to remove the action – measurements can be taken directly with the installed action in a grand piano for maximum precision
Measurement data can be saved for later corrections on the workbench after removing the action
LIVE corrections: shows adjustments and results in real time
Takes into account the keyboard’s crown (e.g., Steinway & Sons)
Wireless data transfer and Excel import via WiFi
GRAND PIANO ACTION REGULATION
Live display of regulation parameters (letoff, drop, check, and blow distance)
Automatic correction of blow distance and letoff with acoustic feedback for deviation from target values
Tilted sensor compensates for the circular path of the hammer head -
always measuring precisely at the crown, in both rest and striking positionsMeasurements possible even with dampers installed - the laser measures between the dampers directly
onto the hammer head (keyboard shifted using the left una corda pedal)Ready for use in seconds – no complex setup required
GRAND PIANO ACTION REGULATION
Live display of regulation parameters (letoff, drop, check, and blow distance)
Automatic correction of blow distance and letoff with acoustic feedback for deviation from target values
Tilted sensor compensates for the circular path of the hammer head -
always measuring precisely at the crown, in both rest and striking positionsMeasurements possible even with dampers installed - the laser measures between the dampers directly
onto the hammer head (keyboard shifted using the left una corda pedal)Ready for use in seconds – no complex setup required
LEVELING THE STRINGS
Contactless, high-precision measurement of string heights across the entire unison
Clearly indicates which strings are too low and need correction
Significant time savings – each string is adjusted only once to the displayed target height
Real-time graphical feedback of all performed corrections
LEVELING THE STRINGS
Contactless, high-precision measurement of string heights across the entire unison
Clearly indicates which strings are too low and need correction
Significant time savings – each string is adjusted only once to the displayed target height
Real-time graphical feedback of all performed corrections
LEVELING THE KEYBOARD / KEY DIP ADJUSTMENTS
LEVELING THE KEYBOARD / KEY DIP ADJUSTMENTS
LEVELING THE KEYBOARD / KEY DIP ADJUSTMENTS
GRAND PIANO ACTION REGULATION
GRAND PIANO ACTION REGULATION
GRAND PIANO ACTION REGULATION
LEVELING THE STRINGS
LEVELING THE STRINGS
LEVELING THE STRINGS
SCALE DESIGN / DOWNBEARING
SCALE DESIGN / DOWNBEARING
SCALE DESIGN / DOWNBEARING
Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the BDK (Association of German Piano Builders)
Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the BDK (Association of German Piano Builders)
Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the BDK (Association of German Piano Builders)
At the end of May 2025, I presented my new measuring device, Piano Measure Pro, at the BDK Annual Meeting in Görlitz. The invitation to this presentation came about on the initiative of the BDK Tool Committee.
At the end of May 2025, I presented my new measuring device, Piano Measure Pro, at the BDK Annual Meeting in Görlitz. The invitation to this presentation came about on the initiative of the BDK Tool Committee.
At the end of May 2025, I presented my new measuring device, Piano Measure Pro, at the BDK Annual Meeting in Görlitz. The invitation to this presentation came about on the initiative of the BDK Tool Committee.
USER MANUAL
PIANO MEASURE PRO
Complete Reference Manual
Complete Reference Manual
With numerous detailed color graphics and illustrations, the entire function is precisely explained.
With numerous detailed color graphics and illustrations, the entire function is precisely explained.
I have been running my own YouTube channel for many years, which now has over 20,000 subscribers. There, I provide insights into my workshop, show interesting work steps, and present the devices and tools I have developed myself.
I have been running my own YouTube channel for many years, which now has over 20,000 subscribers. There, I provide insights into my workshop, show interesting work steps, and present the devices and tools I have developed myself.
I have been running my own YouTube channel for many years, which now has over 20,000 subscribers. There, I provide insights into my workshop, show interesting work steps, and present the devices and tools I have developed myself.
KLAVIERATELIER LYCHEN
KLAVIERATELIER LYCHEN
TOBIAS J. SCHMIDT
TOBIAS J. SCHMIDT
Beyond the restoration of pianos and grand pianos and concert tunings, my passion lies in the development of new, innovative tools and devices to simplify the daily workshop routine for myself and my piano builder colleagues.
During my work, ideas constantly come to me about how certain procedures can be optimized and made more precise through suitable devices.
Many years ago, I was already bothered by how cumbersome it was to level a keyboard using a long straightedge – you had to sit on the floor to get the keys and the straightedge at eye level. Based on the visible light gap between the key and the straightedge, one estimates the required thickness of the paper punchings and underlays the key accordingly. For this, the straightedge must be removed and, after the correction, placed back onto the keys. Subsequently, the light gap is checked again.
This procedure is still the worldwide standard. Only a few piano factories, such as Yamaha, one of the most advanced piano manufacturers in the world, also measure key heights with laser technology.
However, these are large industrial systems that are neither mobile nor affordable for smaller workshops.
To ensure the necessary precision in the micrometer range, an absolutely non-contact measuring method had to be developed. Any method that has physical contact with the key would falsify the measurement due to the key's minimal depression. For this reason, the use of a laser was essential.
My mechanical engineering studies and my programming skills, which I had acquired at a young age, helped me to develop this digital measuring device.
After over two years of intensive development work, Piano Measure Pro was created, completely self-designed, constructed, and programmed.
From the circuit diagram and PCB layout in Fusion 360, to the 3D modeling of the housing, to the software with over 10,000 lines of C++ code, every detail comes from my own hand.
With every new idea, additional functions were added, such as the measurement of the hammerhead to the string and thus various regulating parameters like let-off, hammer blow distance, check and drop. This work is also still traditionally done today with gauges and by eye.
I am proud to have developed a tool that is globally unique in its precision and versatility.
Beyond the restoration of pianos and grand pianos and concert tunings, my passion lies in the development of new, innovative tools and devices to simplify the daily workshop routine for myself and my piano builder colleagues.
During my work, ideas constantly come to me about how certain procedures can be optimized and made more precise through suitable devices.
Many years ago, I was already bothered by how cumbersome it was to level a keyboard using a long straightedge – you had to sit on the floor to get the keys and the straightedge at eye level. Based on the visible light gap between the key and the straightedge, one estimates the required thickness of the paper punchings and underlays the key accordingly. For this, the straightedge must be removed and, after the correction, placed back onto the keys. Subsequently, the light gap is checked again.
This procedure is still the worldwide standard. Only a few piano factories, such as Yamaha, one of the most advanced piano manufacturers in the world, also measure key heights with laser technology.
However, these are large industrial systems that are neither mobile nor affordable for smaller workshops.
To ensure the necessary precision in the micrometer range, an absolutely non-contact measuring method had to be developed. Any method that has physical contact with the key would falsify the measurement due to the key's minimal depression. For this reason, the use of a laser was essential.
My mechanical engineering studies and my programming skills, which I had acquired at a young age, helped me to develop this digital measuring device.
After over two years of intensive development work, Piano Measure Pro was created, completely self-designed, constructed, and programmed.
From the circuit diagram and PCB layout in Fusion 360, to the 3D modeling of the housing, to the software with over 10,000 lines of C++ code, every detail comes from my own hand.
With every new idea, additional functions were added, such as the measurement of the hammerhead to the string and thus various regulating parameters like let-off, hammer blow distance, check and drop. This work is also still traditionally done today with gauges and by eye.
I am proud to have developed a tool that is globally unique in its precision and versatility.
Beyond the restoration of pianos and grand pianos and concert tunings, my passion lies in the development of new, innovative tools and devices to simplify the daily workshop routine for myself and my piano builder colleagues.
During my work, ideas constantly come to me about how certain procedures can be optimized and made more precise through suitable devices.
Many years ago, I was already bothered by how cumbersome it was to level a keyboard using a long straightedge – you had to sit on the floor to get the keys and the straightedge at eye level. Based on the visible light gap between the key and the straightedge, one estimates the required thickness of the paper punchings and underlays the key accordingly. For this, the straightedge must be removed and, after the correction, placed back onto the keys. Subsequently, the light gap is checked again.
This procedure is still the worldwide standard. Only a few piano factories, such as Yamaha, one of the most advanced piano manufacturers in the world, also measure key heights with laser technology.
However, these are large industrial systems that are neither mobile nor affordable for smaller workshops.
To ensure the necessary precision in the micrometer range, an absolutely non-contact measuring method had to be developed. Any method that has physical contact with the key would falsify the measurement due to the key's minimal depression. For this reason, the use of a laser was essential.
My mechanical engineering studies and my programming skills, which I had acquired at a young age, helped me to develop this digital measuring device.
After over two years of intensive development work, Piano Measure Pro was created, completely self-designed, constructed, and programmed.
From the circuit diagram and PCB layout in Fusion 360, to the 3D modeling of the housing, to the software with over 10,000 lines of C++ code, every detail comes from my own hand.
With every new idea, additional functions were added, such as the measurement of the hammerhead to the string and thus various regulating parameters like let-off, hammer blow distance, check and drop. This work is also still traditionally done today with gauges and by eye.
I am proud to have developed a tool that is globally unique in its precision and versatility.
FURTHER SELF-DEVELOPED DEVICES
I am currently preparing a dedicated, detailed special page for all my devices. There, you will soon find deeper insights, technical drawings, and application videos. I would be delighted if you check back soon to discover the new content!
Hammerhead Gluing Jig
Hammerhead Drilling Jig
Multi-Milling Bridge
Piano Lifter
Grand Piano Tilter
Multi-Function Workbench
Hammerhead Gluing Jig (grands)
Regulation Jig for Grand Pianos
Key Clamping Jig
Key Top Milling Jig
Multi Milling and Drilling Jig AL
Piano Measure Pro
