I did not realize that having a waveguide printed was this cheap, less than $15 each... I was assuming it was closer to $50 each.
That is extremely handy to know!
I can even get a bunch for about 20 euro delivered, omg!
Yes PLA was less expensive, got a quote from another firm for nylon printed with a smooth finish and that was like 50eur per piece (so 100eur/pair) so more than triple the price which i guess can be worth it but i don't know?
Does PLA work for this application or is it not recommended? considering how much you can spend on drivers and MDF, or even that luxurious birch ply that cost an arm and a leg, then trying to save 70/80 eur on the waveguide might be foolish if it does a significant difference?
Does PLA work for this application or is it not recommended? considering how much you can spend on drivers and MDF, or even that luxurious birch ply that cost an arm and a leg, then trying to save 70/80 eur on the waveguide might be foolish if it does a significant difference?
PLA+ or PLA-tough may be a better option; they resist heat and UV deformation much better than standard PLA. If your speaker isn't going to be exposed to heat or UV, then PLA should be fine, just be sure to paint it. The biggest issue with standard PLA is that it gets very brittle over time, and absorbs moisture as well.
Wow that was fast! i think i placed the order exactly 48 hours ago and it's on its way to me now. They even included a couple of pictures! Looks a bit rough but nothing a bit of sanding and painting can't fix i suppose
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I personally printed mine at a different orientation - standing up on edge with supports. It made the finish much better, so much so that it won't require excessive effort to finish.
Well... I ended up ordering the biggest 3d printer I could find for a reasonable price with the intention of printing the whole speaker cabinet (with waveguide incorporated) in two parts and then filling them up with epoxy granite (sand mixed with epoxy) and then screwing them together. Easy to get carried away with crazy ideas while reading this forum and this thread in particular hehe.
This was also printed standing up and I can now vouch for printing the waveguide standing up, gives a far better result, will attach a picture of the waveguide in the printing process so you can get an idea.
This was also printed standing up and I can now vouch for printing the waveguide standing up, gives a far better result, will attach a picture of the waveguide in the printing process so you can get an idea.
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And just for comparison's sake, here is a pic of the waveguide printed lying down (it has also already been sanded a bit)
For those wondering the speaker will be a three way with the 26cdc and then the 5 and 8 inch sb cac series, was not expecting this size... It will be hard fitting them into my 40 square meter apartment.
Epoxy+plastic filament amounts to 4600SEK (=420USD) for both cabinets so maybe not the cheapest option out there... mid-enclosure will be 200mm pvc pipe 5mm thick
For those wondering the speaker will be a three way with the 26cdc and then the 5 and 8 inch sb cac series, was not expecting this size... It will be hard fitting them into my 40 square meter apartment.
Epoxy+plastic filament amounts to 4600SEK (=420USD) for both cabinets so maybe not the cheapest option out there... mid-enclosure will be 200mm pvc pipe 5mm thick
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Awesome concept! are you also printing an inner shell for the resin to reside in? Or is it a thick epoxy that you can just lather on?
I've thought about doing a filled-printed cabinet, but I'm not sure how the fill material will interface with the printed plastic, or if any sort of delamination would cause future resonances.
So far my fully 3d printed cabinets have held up with no changes to structure or coloration.