This speaker sounds terrible and is probably not automotive grade, but it may be instructive to watch this 2 minute clip of Cornell University figuring out how to 3D print an audio speaker. In this case, it required two actual 3D printers to get the job done.
Part of the challenge is combining different materials seamlessly into the printing process such as the plastic shell as well as magnetic materials.
Cornell researchers don’t expect to see massive 3D consumer electronics printing any time soon as most printers can’t easily handle more than one material at a time and its difficult to fine materials that work together. For example copper and plastic require different heating and curing times so they can’t easily combine in one printer.
The speaker is far from ready for prime time, but this early research will raise some eye brows.
Watch the video here.
Photo credit: Jason Koski/University Photography
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they’ll be making themselves girlfriends on 3 d printers soon.