Additive manufacturing/ 3D printing– Wind based musical instruments
Additive manufacturing/ 3D printing– Wind based musical instruments from Akul Chodankar
Additive manufacturing/ 3D printing– Wind based musical instruments

Project Brief: Analysis of effects of various printing techniques on acoustic characteristics of wind instruments

Manufacturing musical instruments require skillsets transferred through the family tree over generations. This work explores the possible avenue to exploit the geometric freedom of 3D printing and advantage of CAD modelling in making musical instrument. The subcontinental Indian flute was reverse engineered using CREO & SolidWorks. Applied DFMA principles to obtain designs compatible with each process and also include features to ease assemble and maintain the acoustic integrity.

The 3D model was then printed using fused deposition modeling on MakerBot and Stratasys Dynamite elite, and binder-jet technology. The printed flutes where then tested for their acoustic properties. Practical trials were also performed allowing a flute player to give his feedback. Thus a working prototype with better feedback from the performer was obtained.

"At first they will ask why we are doing it, later they will ask how we did it - Aspiring Engineers" Team Indo-Fluters, enjoying the fruits of success.
Failure 1: Base warping due to thermal expansion and thermal gradient causing stress which are highly concentrated at the base, uprooting it.
Failure 2: Printing with supports is recommended, but in our case supports were our enemy as they affect the surface smoothness and thus acoustic properties. Did take a while to learn the art of completion without support
Design creativity: DFMA skills achieved. Sacrificial supports designed within the model. The fins are thin enough to be broken by hand but supportive enough to hold the part while printing
Some layman creativity : When nothing works, Just glue it. Glue works! Simply engineered solutions.
Rockets...No those are not what you think. These are the out come of engineering ingenuity and mechanical acumen. Parts with DFMA features embedded.
Process 2: Binder-jet technology. Powder + Binder and some layered technology gives you the additive might of geometric freedom.
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Additive manufacturing/ 3D printing– Wind based musical instruments

Project Brief: Analysis of effects of various printing techniques on acoustic characteristics of wind instruments

Manufacturing musical instruments require skillsets transferred through the family tree over generations. This work explores the possible avenue to exploit the geometric freedom of 3D printing and advantage of CAD modelling in making musical instrument. The subcontinental Indian flute was reverse engineered using CREO & SolidWorks. Applied DFMA principles to obtain designs compatible with each process and also include features to ease assemble and maintain the acoustic integrity.

The 3D model was then printed using fused deposition modeling on MakerBot and Stratasys Dynamite elite, and binder-jet technology. The printed flutes where then tested for their acoustic properties. Practical trials were also performed allowing a flute player to give his feedback. Thus a working prototype with better feedback from the performer was obtained.

Akul Chodankar
Mechanical Engineer Rochester, NY