You'd think they'd have had much better results using a "real" simple-system keyless flute as their model.

In years to come should we expect to be able to buy plastic versions of Olwells and Grinters for fractions of the cost of the original that sound and play essentially the same? That really would be something.

we should be able to click on and internet ad, for the data set of a simple-system flute, and have it print at our home. (probably a print @ local Kinko's stage in there)


this will not be traditional

and it will not be voiced

I'm guessing the interim will be Jon buying a printer and turning out keyless Rudalls using Terry's data templates

Jon?

I don't think he's that kind of boy...

Boys and their toys...

What ever happened to Caractacus Potts and his Toot Sweets? I figured we'd at least have those by now.

The devil is in the details.

From the article:


I suspect they may get it down into something attractive by the 70th iteration. Or perhaps never.

As to making copies of other maker's flutes - if the resolution of this 3D printing process makes that possible, then new issues arise, such as copying someone else's intellectual property. Plus I ponder the plastic they are using and its acoustical properties. Even if they could copy a Rudall, it will never play the same way as a Rudall.

Other than being a clever new way to make stuff, I don't see this as a replacement for making things by hand, such as is done by us flute makers. And if someone succeeds in dong this, they'll just have to compete with the rest of us. My bet is that those machines won't become that cheap anytime soon - so don't expect $35 printed Rudalls to start flooding the market. Except maybe at WallMart if the Chinese decide to start doing this.

Heavens! Save us from our machine masters!!!!

Casey

What Casey said! And I'll bet there's still (and always will be) some hand finishing required...

The two main things would be tolerances and cost per unit after figuring the cost of the machine spread out over the units it will make and the raw materials. On a whim, I looked into how much it would cost to have a CNC place knock out a few fifes. Even at 100 units (no furrels, made of acetyl), the cost per unit was about the same as what a Peeler or Sweet fife would cost.

The intellectual property thing is an interesting part of the 3D design thing, and I believe there are already groups that have started Creative Commons repositories of different projects. I am sure places like amazon will have downloads you can buy when these printers become cost effective. By the time these machines are ready there will already be projects ready to be printed, hopefully there will be an input standard.

Then there are projects like RepRap. I'll be happy when you can take tin cans, glass bottles or certain plastics, shred or powder the waste, and reuse it for a project, but that is a long way off I'm sure.

I liked the idea of a plastic flute. The downfall of this whole idea is that people don't learn to play musical instruments now, with technology improving, do we really think the number of musicians is going to skyrocket or something?