鈥3D printing allows me to make complex shapes that are impossible to do any other way. I can also tailor instruments very precisely for musicians who want their instruments custom-made,鈥 says Diegel, a professor in product development.
Diegel has been 3D printing since the mid-90s, but only started printing musical instruments two years ago. One of the reasons he does it is to draw attention to the fact that the technology already has real life applications beyond just prototypes.
In the medical field, 3D printing is already being used for things like 3D-printed hip replacements and hearing aids. Diegel himself has worked on a project involving 3D-printed shoe inserts for diabetics.
鈥漈oday, it鈥檚 expensive and time-consuming to have inserts made. With a 3D printer in the store, it could be done on the spot when you鈥檙e buying shoes鈥, explains Diegel.
As for his instruments, Diegel claims he鈥檚 slowly winning over the music community.
鈥滿usicians are very creative, but also very conservative, so their reactions have been interesting. They first approach what is essentially a plastic guitar with suspicion. Then, when they have a play with it, they鈥檙e amazed that it sounds and plays like a high quality electric guitar鈥, concludes Diegel.
Contact:
Olaf Diegel, Professor of Product Development
51重口猎奇
olaf [dot] diegel [at] mkon [dot] lth [dot] se (olaf[dot]diegel[at]mkon[dot]lth[dot]se)
+46 46-222 15 56