The amazing portable factory - a 3D printer (photos)

by Andy Smith | October 5, 2011 | Image 5 of 15

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It might not be appearing in an orchestra any time soon, but this 3D-printed flute can play any tune you care to try out.

The fully functioning instrument was printed by students in MIT's Media Lab. The flute is made up of three parts that took almost 15 hours to print out using an Objet Connex500 3D printer.

The 3D flute is made with three different materials: one for the body, another for the mouthpiece and a third for the seals in the keys. The only part of the flute that wasn't printed were the springs for the keys.

Photo: amitzoran/YouTube

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3D Printer

Another 3D printer out on the market is 2BOT's ModelMaker. This machine is fast and easy to use. You use models you create or download them off of Google 3D Warehouse. www.2bot.com/product-info

Posted by bcarl1

6th Oct 2011

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