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Re: 3d printing a clarinet

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2018-08-08 00:31

I've played around with it. Here in Los Angeles there are a lot of 3D companies making small parts to concepts cars. Here's the problem I've run into with mouthpieces and barrels. The materials shrink too much and for the mouthpieces there is the toxic exposure issue. So a lot of rubber and plastic is toxic, either when making a barrel and a mouthpiece of when your mouth touches the mouthpiece.

So I've messed with dental materials and most of these can't be 3D molded, cracks and other problems, including too much shrinking.

So what is the future? It will happen. But often making a mold is less expensive if you plan to make 1000's and 1000's. 3D can be slower, but it has its place for making one of a kind and to see if something will actually work. The machines are expensive and very accurate, so as time goes on and chemist find non toxic materials it could be the future. Expensive to make a mouthpiece in just a minute or so. There are 3D printers available for much less which will make a mouthpiece in a day and very affordable. But we have issues with materials, shrinking, then putting on facings, all of that.

As for making the whole clarinet it can already be done. Keys, everything. But it will cost a lot.

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

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