Has anyone entertained the idea of utilizing a 3D printer for a woodwind mouthpiece? I've seen some videos of individuals using a 3D printed MP. If it's a viable solution, it seems like a way to duplicate mouthpieces for a price that would save us/kids quite a bit.
Not an expert in ww mouthpieces or 3d printers, but we had a student print out his own mouthpiece using the 3d printer in the school library. He only used it out on the field. Didn't seem to bother any of us.
I have two 3D printers and have made several mouthpieces, including clarinet and alto sax. I don't recommend them for anything other than a novelty. First, the density isn't going to be enough to create a good quality sound, even at 100% infill. Second, even with the smallest nozzle and highest quality settings the surface will not be smooth. This will cause the extra vibrations and interruptions in the airstream, not to mention how it would feel on the lips (imagine lots of tiny little ridges). There is the time factor. Printing out a single mouthpiece takes hours. I did a trumpet mouthpiece last year around this time. With a .2mm nozzle and on the highest quality setting and 100% infill it took 12 hours. I did a clarinet with similar specs and to took 24. Of course, with a clarinet mouthpiece you also have to add cork, do clean up from the 3D printing process if it needed supports, and it still would sound or feel as good as the cheapest clarinet mouthpiece that you could get at the store. I'm a huge fan of finding different solutions, and a huge 3D printer fan, but I don't see this as a viable solution.
