Influence of 3D Printing Direction in PLA Acoustic Guitars on Vibration Response

Abstract

The design of musical instruments is a discipline that is still carried out in an artisanal way, with limitations and high costs. With the additive manufacturing technique, it is possible to obtain results for the generation of not only electrical but also acoustic instruments. However, it is necessary to generate a procedure to evaluate the influence of the process on the final result of the acoustics obtained. This study focuses on investigating the relationship between the construction of acoustic guitars and their final sound. The reinforcement structures at the top of the instrument are analysed, as well as how this design affects the vibratory behaviour of the top in the first five vibratory modes. Specifically, this article presents a procedure for the design of customised acoustic guitars using additive manufacturing through parametrisation and a vibrational analysis of the designed tops using finite element (FEA) and experimental physical tests, in order to develop a methodology for the study of stringed instruments. As a result, an 11% increase in the high-frequency response was achieved with a printing direction of +45°, and a reduction in the high-frequency response with ±45°. In addition, at high frequencies, a relative error of 5% was achieved with respect to the simulation. This work fulfils an identified need to study the manufacture of acoustic guitars using polylactic acid (PLA), and to be able to offer the musician a customised instrument. This represents a breakthrough in the use of this manufacturing technology, extending its relationship with product design.