The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-UfqZc5rBA

I think this has potential, not for printing a complete sound box as the poster has done, but for replacement parts -- the shell, back plate; possibly even a diaphragm.

OrthoFan

I like this idea! Why not the entire box, if it can be eventually perfected through experimentation. Think of the potential, especially from the point of significant weight reduction, and therefore saving record wear?

Just my $0.02.

Fran

Hi Fran:

I agree, it would be great if someone could figure out how to 3-D print an entire sound box. From what I can tell in the video, though, the diaphragm is solidly part of the shell, and is not isolated or suspended in gaskets. This means that the vibrations of the needle bar are being transferred directly from the diaphragm to the shell, and possibly back to the needle/needle point, itself. This probably accounts for some of the shrill resonance I hear when I listen to the video with earphones, and crank up the volume slightly. This may lead to groove damage over time, despite the sound box's relatively low weight.

OrthoFan

I would pay .02 to see a 3D printed Fran.

PeterF wrote:I would pay .02 to see a 3D printed Fran.

Prolly be cheaper to just get this one stuffed in a few years.

I was going to make a run of fiber gears for the Heinemann motors. However, finding a perfect gear is a challenge. Instead of molding, it may be more easier to 3D print.

How about 3d printing replicas of pot metal parts? Ideally with a printer that prints using aluminum as that should have similar acoustic qualities to the pot metal. I was mainly thinking of reproducer parts (like in the Orthophonic or Victor #4) but maybe tone arms etc could be done as well

Resolution and strength are still far short of machined, forged or cast parts. Models can be produced for casting. That is probably the best application for rapid prototyping. The process is not accurate enough for gears. Even if you could live with the inaccuracies, the strength and wear properties would make for a short service life.

Very cool that this was done. However no diaphragm movement for proper sound which you can easily hear. But wow still very cool!! Can he print me out a Credenza knob for my door? lol.

Django wrote:Resolution and strength are still far short of machined, forged or cast parts. Models can be produced for casting. That is probably the best application for rapid prototyping. The process is not accurate enough for gears. Even if you could live with the inaccuracies, the strength and wear properties would make for a short service life.

That was not my experience with medical device grade metal printers, but yes it would be better . (cheaper) to produce a positive for a mold if you wanted several. If doing replacements for pot metal you might have a head start on the strength front

3D metal printing technology now produces metals as dense as casting or forging and can machine at tighter tolerances - it can also produce single piece parts that machining technology cannot. Reproducers and tone arm parts would be a walk in the park... Consumer grade machines, yea, not gonna be up to it