CNC technology and 3D printing in accordion industry

[Deleted member 48]

Anyone familiar with the latest technological developments in CNC machines, laser cutters, 3D printing, ... of accordion and concertina parts?

Some individual makers in the concertina, melodica and accordina scene have tried experimenting with latest technology for customized free reed instruments.



What parts of an accordion could be made with this technology?
reed plates? (without the reeds)
the body of the accordion?
valves?
some other parts of the action?
levers?

As the Industrial large scale accordion makers only offer standard mass production accordion models, customisation is difficult in an Industrial setting.
But maybe these latest technologies are already in use in Castelfidardo and elsewhere?
Is it possible to ask a Castelfidardo maker to make a unique model completely customized?

 

[Glenn]

I'm sure if Bill Gates was in to accordions he would have himself a custom built model with all mod-cons (probably buy a manufacturer).
I think for the normal accordionist and their desire to have quality/tradition, the idea of a 3D printed component is anathema.
You probably have more chance of CNC manufacturing techniques being used on Chinese models

 

[Deleted member 48]

Im sure they use this in China, but also in Europe


Die Präzision ist heute auch beim Griffbrett höher, da die erforderlichen Bearbeitungsschritte mit CNC-Maschinen ausgeführt werden
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steirische_Harmonika

http://www.accordions.com/fas/
Reedblocks shaped with CNC Natural glue immersion method is being used to obtain excellent resonance quality

I had contact with some major European accordion makers and they confirm to use 3D printers for making prototypes or parts, CNC computer numerical control machines, laser cutters, spark erosion technology (in reed production),

http://www.thedi-akkordeon.ch/de/pages/105/105001.html
Nach dem Kauf einer ersten CNC-Maschine eröffneten sich weitere Möglichkeiten, um zahlreiche Einzelteile selbst zu fertigen. Dadurch wurde die Fabrikation unabhängiger von italienischen Zulieferanten; vor allem aber fallen seither viele Arbeitsstunden weg, die notwendig waren, um die Unzulänglichkeiten bezüglich Präzision der italienischen Produkte auszugleichen.

This Swiss accordion maker has become independant of Italian accordion parts supplier, when he started using CNC machines to produce his own accordion parts, equalling Italian precision.

Today even amateur accordion makers can start their own homemade accordion / concertina manufacture, with computing and robots.

CNC machines and computing in Swiss diatonic accordion production:
http://www.bernerzeitung.ch/region/emmental/Das-Geheimnis-des-Oergelimachers/story/15739179
«Der massvolle Einsatz von Computern oder auch von CNC- und Lasergeräten ist sinnvoll.»

 

[Glenn]

Let me know when you've knocked up your first prototype Stephen.

 

[debra]

Some parts can certainly be 3D printed but you either need a very good printer or some extensive post-processing to create good looking parts.
I use a 3D printer to add chin switches to accordions (just for the cylindrical buttons, not the inner mechanics) and I printed feet (the instrument rests on when not in use).
My printer isn't good enough to do much more than that for accordions.

 

[Deleted member 48]

I suppose the bellows (too complex for robot production?) and the reeds (too delicate, and need handmade fine tuning ?) are best handmade the traditional way.

But many of the other parts can be made CNC, laser cutters, 3D printers, etc.

My dream is to find or make a very small CBA accordion without basses for me to play outdoors (and the vicar's wife).
I'm aiming at 1 kilogram maximum weight. Something comparable to he size and weight of a melodica, but with a bellows attached to it.
But the problem is , I can't find nowhere a button accordion body that is small enough. I have been searching second hand accordions, but the wooden body of these accordions is simply too big. That adds unnecessary weight to the instrument.
That's why I hope to find solutions with laser cutters and 3D printing, to make customized accordion bodies and keyboard actions.

 

[TomBR]

Do you want to make one, two, or lots? Building a box like that using traditional methods would not be that hard. Unlike some instruments a workshop and expensive tools are not necessary. It would be quite possible as a kitchen table project.
How do I know?
http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php?topic=1958.0

I dont understand the vicars wife reference!

 

[Deleted member 48]

nor does the vicar
just ask Bill
(see the "small is beautiful" post)

It's the credo of the luthier, making a music instrument that:
has good sound quality
is small in size, compact
lightweight
ergonomic
very easy to play

Small fish sometimes can swim in waters were the big ones can't

You don't need a big 120 bass accordion to make beautiful music for the vicar's wife...

 

[Glenn]

I fear that the cost of the equipment needed to create a 3D printed accordion with laser cut reeds and robotic tuning will be enough to buy half a dozen hand-made, bespoke accordions from some top Italian manufacturers.
Life is fairly short. Should I get back into 3D modelling, Euler coordinate systems and simulations?
My techie heart says yes, my sensible head (and wife) say no.

 

[Deleted member 48]

You're right about the cost, but the advantage is CNC technology is creating intermediate accordion companies, in between individual customers / individual accordion makers and large scale industrial accordion makers.
These can react quicker to customisation.
You don't have to do it yourself, in a few years these CNC technologies will be all over the accordion industry. All this is happening now already.

Try to sell it to your wife this way I do to my girlfriend:
Darling what if you could 3D print your own shoes ?