Lee Walker's posting about 3D printed replacement parts for
pneumatic instruments is very timely. An article will be published
in the next issue of the MBSI Journal, Mechanical Music, entitled
"Printing Replacement Parts at Home". It will give examples and an
overview of the process. Please watch for it. Until the magazine
is issued, here are some thoughts to keep the discussion going.
Most people aren't CAD designers and don't have 3D scanners. Where can
they get parts files? Today there are 3D part library websites such as
Pinshape. It is an electronic library where designers can upload their
parts for others to use. Many of the parts are free downloads. I have
uploaded my 3D models for Popper spool flanges, a Seeburg coin box and
a Seeburg coin box mounting foot to Pinshape. These took many hours of
design to create, using a 3D CAD program. Now anyone can download
these files and print them on a 3D printer. Here are the links:
https://pinshape.com/items/28001-3d-printed-seeburg-nickelodeon-coin-collection-box-and-mounting-foot
https://pinshape.com/items/27999-3d-printed-popper-orchestrion-music-roll-spool-flanges
The Pinshape library system for sharing models is working. Already,
four other people with 3D Printers have downloaded the Seeburg coin box
and mounting foot models, so they can print them!
This is where all mechanical music collectors need to help each
other. If you are designing or scanning 3D parts for mechanical music
instruments, I encourage you to upload them to a library website today,
so that others can benefit from the work you have done and do not have
to expend countless hours re-doing the 3D CAD modeling or scanning.
If you want to generate income, it is easy to place a price on the
model's download. You then receive a monthly income payment to your
PayPal account for the sales made.
Best wishes for your collection and your restorations,
Wayne Finger
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