Members Glenn F Posted November 19, 2011 Members Share Posted November 19, 2011 I was reading a couple of articles on the 'NEXT REVOLUTIONARY THING' lately, namely 3-D printers. You input the specs, and the 'printer' 'prints' out the objects. Almost sci-fi, like the Star Trek replicator. I wonder when/if manufacturers or even do-it-yourselfers will apply this technology to making guitars? Mind-boggling stuff! Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gitnoob Posted November 19, 2011 Members Share Posted November 19, 2011 I've always wanted one of those, and they're starting to get cheap enough.... Supposedly, they're not great for making large objects, but you could print your own bridge pins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members katopp Posted November 19, 2011 Members Share Posted November 19, 2011 And due to the printing material it is not whst you would call "robust". It really is for rapid prototyping, not for.production. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted November 19, 2011 Members Share Posted November 19, 2011 Ever see "Weird Science"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Opa John Posted November 19, 2011 Members Share Posted November 19, 2011 I'm holding out for a printer that will print out a Dolly Parton "blow-up" doll! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted November 21, 2011 Members Share Posted November 21, 2011 One youtube video I saw seemed to claim that the material was very strong. For example they "printed" out a plumbers wrench (with working gear) and the demonstrator claimed it could actually be used as a wrench. It seems to be a sort of resin. Probably strong enough for electric guitars but I don't know about acoustic guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted November 21, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 21, 2011 Early days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted November 21, 2011 Members Share Posted November 21, 2011 We work with 3-D modeling tools all the time - our group uses the industry standard SolidWorks. You can print 2-D copies to look at but often we'll just send the file to a cnc mill, turning center or laser cutter to make the "real" piece. SolidWorks also uses what is called "parametric design" which means that if you change a parameter (lets say length of one part) it affects the entire design. Change the scale length for example on a guitar design and it would relocate the bridge, recalculate the compensation, move the crossing of the X brace all automatically. Is that how I want to design guitars? Not necessarily but the technology is there today. I just came back from an equipment show called FabTec and 3-D modeling was in use in many of the exhibits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knockwood Posted November 21, 2011 Members Share Posted November 21, 2011 We work with 3-D modeling tools all the time - our group uses the industry standard SolidWorks. You can print 2-D copies to look at but often we'll just send the file to a cnc mill, turning center or laser cutter to make the "real" piece. SolidWorks also uses what is called "parametric design" which means that if you change a parameter (lets say length of one part) it affects the entire design. Change the scale length for example on a guitar design and it would relocate the bridge, recalculate the compensation, move the crossing of the X brace all automatically. Is that how I want to design guitars? Not necessarily but the technology is there today.I just came back from an equipment show called FabTec and 3-D modeling was in use in many of the exhibits. We used SolidWorks extensively in my last job - designing hardware (buckles, locks, etc.) for the fashion industry. SW is very well suited for that sort of thing. I believe it was developed, initially, to facilitate 3D modeling of artificial limbs. I can't imagine what the first printers must have looked like. Ours was the size of a large ATM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhino55 Posted November 21, 2011 Members Share Posted November 21, 2011 The materials are getting more robust. The military is looking into using 3d printers to make tools instead of shipping a whole tool shed. I've heard it said that 3d printers would be better for space travel as well. The few Composite Acoustic Guitars I have played, sounded and played great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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