Mike’s insightful article about How 3D Printing Changes the World of Music showed how far crafting instruments by 3D printing has already come. Pioneers, such as Olaf Diegel, who has 3D printed a range of spectacular instruments such as guitars, drums and pianos, have compounded potentiality into reality. Many makers may now be musing upon melodic applications of their mini manufacturing machine too? If you are one of them, how about 3D printing and assembling your own fully functional fiddle!?
Makerbot Thingiverse number 2190409 is the The Fused Filament Fiddle — a full size (4/4 adult size) electric violin, the majority of components for which can be made with standard large build area home 3D printers such as the Makerbot Replicator 2 (L 28.5 x W 15.3 x H 15.5 cm / 11.2 x 6.0 x 6.1 inches), Type A Machines Series 1 (L 30.5 x W 30.5 x H 30.5 / 12.0 x 12. 0 x 12.0 inches) or larger. The total material cost of this fab home-made fully functional instrument is only around USD$250!
OpebFab PDX founder Dave Perry ― designer, mechanical engineer, and Thingiverse user DSP39 ― loves to tinker with open source 3D printing projects for musical applications. OpenFab is a mechanical design firm that specialises in digital design and fabrication at an affordable level, providing design and prototyping services, support running a 3D printer, and strategic consulting to show 3D printer owners how digital fabrication can further their craft.
Dave’s F-F-Fiddle has even caught the attention of Thingiverse staff and is a starred item, optimised for a MakerBot 3D printer. You too can perform your own star performance with this fantastic piece of 3D printing fun by following the step-by-step guide below…
Perry shared the details of his creation: “All parts can be printed without support material by home FFF style 3D printers… the F-F-Fiddle is designed to showcase 3D printing technology: the chin and shoulder rest positions can be customised on each instrument, we embrace the flat build surface, and we use curvy internal wire routing: only possible with 3D printing. The semi-hollow infill of the 3D printer leaves space for sound to resonate―this isn’t a solid-body instrument! We also think that the printed layers leave a surface finish reminiscent of the wood grain of a traditional instrument… We’ve gotten to the point where we’re ready for others to try it!”
The intricate instrument is licensed as Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike so Dave say’s feel free to mod the design to your hearts content. Remember to keep your derivatives design open and give credit to OpenFab PDX, LLC in recognition of the skill and hard work that brought us the Fused Fliament Fiddle. You may use the design for commercial purposes if you agree to send 10% of your gross revenue from use of the design to OpenFab PDX. For more details see the OpenFab website here.
