“Whether you’re designing a part for heritage, or a mechanical part in a car, or implants in the medical field or a violin, it’s basically the same techniques,” he said.
Lacombe started by CT scanning Dequincey’s conventional violin, then converting the 2D file into a 3D model. It wasn’t quite as simple as just hitting “print” after that, though – plastic is heavier than wood, so the violins needed to be modified so as not to be too heavy. Dequincey gave regular feedback in order to achieve the best compromise between weight, design and sound.
“Honestly, the first time I heard the sound, I was really impressed,” said Lacombe.
The sound produced by the 3D printed violins isn’t identical to that produced by a traditional wooden violin, Lacombe said, but that wasn’t the goal of the project – the goal was to see what a new, digital manufacturing form could accomplish when combined with a traditional musical instrument. He doesn’t think that 3D printing will ever replace traditional handcrafting, as the sound just isn’t the same, but he does think that 3D printed violins could be valuable for entry level musicians who can’t yet afford a traditional violin.
Music is one of the oldest art forms, so it will be interesting to see how the newest technology can alter the sounds of such a traditional instrument. 3D printed violins may not replace handcrafted wooden ones, but they can bring a new dimension to them – and make more people realize that 3D printing is capable of creating something truly functional and valuable.
“People are starting to be aware that additive manufacturing is not a toy or a joke on the internet anymore,” said Lacombe.
Eight women will perform in the 3D String Theory concert.
“The discovery of alloys like bronze and brass allowed ancient music-makers to expand the possibilities of horn and wooden aerophones,” the concert website states. “The Industrial Revolution introduced new materials and manufacturing processes that helped to redesign instruments like the piano, brass, and woodwinds so that they could play more notes—faster and louder. And as these capacities for shaping sound have grown and changed, so too has composers’ capacity for musical expression. 3D StringTheory explores how today’s new technologies, like 3D printing, can further expand musical boundaries.”
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[Source: Ottawa Business Journal]