3D Printing Applications in Speaker Design [VIDEO]

3D printing has become a game changer for many industries and OEM speaker manufacturers are no exception. New printing technologies can help manufacturers quickly create and test prototypes, helping clients solve potential issues before they get into distribution. And once that prototype goes into production, limited runs can actually be printed to save you time and money.

How 3D Printers Work

While 3D printing has been around for decades, what at first seemed to be an abstract notion has become a mainstay process for many industries. Whether printing finished products or creating parts, components, or specialized tools for prototypes, the process offers critical benefits to product development.

Historically, product development required much more trial and error. If a prototype failed or needed tweaking, it could cost considerable time and money, and there was little guarantee the next iteration would work as planned.

With 3D printing technology, product developers design parts and components on a computer using specialized software to create a physical representation. Models are then saved as STL (Standard Tessellation Language) files, which are then turned into G-code files that transmit instructions to the 3D printer – much like a typical inkjet 2D model. Guided by the computer program, the printer will create a physical model of a thermoplastic or fused powder “ink,” one thin layer at a time. Layer-by-layer, the output becomes a complete three-dimensional object.

How 3D Printing Supports OEM Speaker Development

3D printing allows product development teams to create prototypes of new parts and components quickly. Prototyping OEM speaker components with 3D technology lets engineers test their effectiveness better before full manufacturing begins - which produces less wasted time and material. 

Product developers can control various physical and mechanical properties that determine sound resonance by adjusting the thermoplastic materials and filaments used in the printing process. The materials used in a speaker greatly impact its acoustic properties. Thanks to sophisticated sound measuring technology, engineers can adjust and change a design until they achieve the desired effect.

Prototyping with 3D printing applications also supports experimentation. With the adaptability of the printing process, audio experts can test various shapes and forms for their OEM speakers. This testing offers an opportunity to break away from the conventional “wood box” shaped speaker enclosures and create more aesthetically pleasing or custom-fitted contours without negatively impacting the sound quality produced.

By using 3D printing technology, the product developers at MISCO can innovate audio solutions for their customers in far less time than with more traditional means. The technology lets MISCO create leading-edge OEM speaker products that fit each client’s specific requirements with perfect sound reproduction adapted to particular needs. The process offers economy, flexibility, and a much quicker turnaround.