A mechanical engineering pupil from Binghamton College in New York state has created a useful 3D printed acoustic guitar utilizing a desktop 3D printer from Prusa Analysis. The venture started when pupil Timothy Tran discovered his dad’s outdated guitar within the attic and determined that somewhat than trash it or attempt to repair it, he’d observe the third path of constructing a brand new one.
“I noticed it broke and I mentioned, ‘I could make a brand new one for you,’” Tran defined. “I made a decision it will be a great factor to simply strive.”
On this private venture, Tran labored with William E. Schiesser, a lecturer on the college’s College of Computing, who offered steerage all through the guitar’s improvement, serving to him by way of numerous trials and challenges, significantly within the design stage. As an illustration, it took Tran a number of weeks to lock down the precise dimensions of his father’s outdated guitar to make sure that the ultimate print could be a trustworthy replica.
As soon as the preliminary design was full, the subsequent step was to create a 3D mannequin in Fusion 360 software program and put together it for 3D printing. On this preparation course of, Tran needed to subdivide the 3D mannequin into separate sections in order that they might be printed on a compact desktop 3D printer. For instance, the fret board needed to be printed in two items, whereas the again is made up of six items and the entrance plate is 5 items assembled collectively. To facilitate meeting post-printing, Tran built-in particular connecting plates into the items in order that they might be simply put collectively utilizing a press-fit technique.
“Placing it collectively was fairly straightforward. It solely took one or two days,” he defined. “It was extra simply ready for the glue to dry. The longest half was most likely simply ready for elements to print. Greater items would possibly take six or seven hours to print.”
The acoustic guitar elements had been all 3D printed on a Prusa MK4 3D printer, a desktop machine from Prusa Analysis with a construct quantity of 250 x 210 x 220 mm. The corporate has since launched an up to date model of this 3D printer, the MK4S, which options upgrades like 360° cooling, a high-flow nozzle, and a brand new app for distant monitoring.
At this stage, Tran has efficiently created a playable acoustic guitar, nonetheless, there are nonetheless some parts that require finessing. As an illustration, he says that the motion (i.e. the peak of the strings above the fret) is a bit too excessive and thus goes out of tune sooner than a conventional acoustic guitar. This can be a downside Tran hopes to resolve in a second prototype.
“I’m simply making an attempt to determine a technique to make the neck piece somewhat extra uniform, and tips on how to get the motion decrease,” Tran elaborated. “Simply to get it to a extra playable really feel, as a result of proper now that is fairly powerful to play. It doesn’t really feel that snug.”
Trying ahead, Tran and Schiesser hope that their 3D printed acoustic guitar will make the instrument extra accessible to these seeking to play. The guitar, which makes use of only a spool and a half of filament and required strings and tuning pegs, prices within the vary of $25 to $30. In different phrases, they hope to make the design and print directions open-source in order that anybody can print it.
“If it had been to change into one thing actually profitable, I would like it to be simply one thing that may be free entry for everybody,” Tran mentioned. “Rising up, we didn’t have that a lot cash … so if it’s simply one thing that’s straightforward and accessible for individuals who want it, I believe that’d be actually cool.”
The acoustic guitar is much from the primary 3D printed guitar ever made, however it’s value noting that almost all printed guitars we see are of the electrical selection. Professor Olaf Diegel has been a pioneer of 3D printed electrical guitars, having designed some really spectacular devices, together with a Beatles-inspired bass guitar and a 3D printed wooden guitar. Not too long ago, he launched his very personal customized 3D printed guitar store, ODD Guitars.
