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innovation 3-D Printing – The Wave of the Future? E OS, a German firm that specializes in 3D printing technologies, has produced a fully operational copy of a Stradivarius violin utilizing 3D printing technology. For those unfamiliar, 3D printing is a process where a designer develops an idea, turns it into a file on-screen, and a prototype is created by utilizing a 3D printer. It is very similar to pressing print on your computer screen and creating a document. This enables manufacturers to mass produce products, such as violins, all over the world. The designs can be created in one location and sent out to the production facilities for manufacture. The violin created by EOS appears to be made of wood, but, in An EOS 3D printer such as the one used recently to fabricate a Stradivarius. reality, it is an industrial polymer named EOS PEEK HP3, normally copying other designs? Lawmakers will need to costs. Instruments manufactured by 3D printing used for high-temperature medical and determine how the current intellectual property will be manufactured homogeneously, so that aerospace applications. The violin was assembled consumers can rely on consistent quality. laws will be applied to the 3D manufacturing by a luthier — someone who makes or repairs process, and if new laws need to be created. So what are the downsides to 3D printing? stringed instruments. Only the strings, fine 3D printers have been around for over First and foremost, there have been questions tuner, and pegbox were not 3D printed. 10 years but have been utilized for creating raised about the sound quality of these This process is quite different from how a prototypes of products to be manufactured, instruments that have been manufactured with violin is traditionally made. Generally, it takes not finished products. However, technology EOS PEEK HP3. Although the instrument itself a skilled luthier approximately a month and a advancements have made 3D printing of final looks like a traditional violin, does it actually half (160 hours) to make a wooden violin by products more feasible, and it is predicted that by sound like one? "In the Meadow" is performed hand. To purchase a handmade violin, the price 2020, 50% of products produced by 3D printers on one of the EOS 3D violin in a clip found will vary from a thousand to tens of thousands will be final products rather than prototypes. on YouTube. of dollars. Unfortunately, this price point is just It is highly unlikely that 3D printing will Knowing that these instruments will most a little too high for beginning students who are replace traditional methods of producing violins. likely be in the hands of children and young looking to find an economical starter instrument. But, since the technology is now available to adults, the next question raised is, what happens Also, the time it takes to produce those quality if the instrument breaks? If a traditional wooden manufacturers, we will see these instruments instruments is too long for major instrument appearing in the marketplace and our schools violin develops a crack or the neck breaks off, it manufacturers forced to keep up with the in the near future. The question is: will they be can be brought to a luthier for repair. With this demand for their products from consumers. embraced by the musical community? Only time industrial polymer, however, how is the luthier So, how can 3D printing help revolutionize will tell. — Heather Davis, supposed to repair it? New repair techniques the violin manufacturing industry? The PAN PIPES Editor will need to be developed, and the repairs will reduced manufacturing time helps lower most likely be costly, due to their unique nature. the cost to consumers, enabling those who CLICK FOR MORE How will intellectual property laws be could not previously afford an instrument an opportunity to purchase one. Also, it will enable manufacturers to share designs easily across the world, reducing manufacturing and design 20 PAN PIPES WINTER 2012 sai-national.org upheld in this 3D printing age? If instrument manufacturers are able to copy the Stradivarius violin design so easily, what will stop them from You can listen to a performance on a #D printed violin here: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=XU3AZmf6O7I

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