Why use 3D printing technology
There are many benefits to making clarinet products using 3D technology. 3D printing is notably less expensive, which is reflected in the price of the products. The new palette of materials to choose from opens up a myriad of new options for sound, response, blow-through, etc. Barrels and bells made from traditionally-used woods are very subject to dimension changes (and cracking) when new wood is exposed to changes in temperature and moisture, causing the bores to change and affect performance, particularly within the first year of use. This is no issue with Pereira 3D products, including 3D Wood. In addition, with some traditionally-used woods becoming endangered, it's absolutely beneficial to have new, sustainable materials that offer sound quality that is on par with traditional materials.
3D Printing is a relatively new science that is rapidly expanding. Printing is an additive manufacturing process, meaning it forms parts by depositing material layer by layer rather than removing material from a blank. This wastes less material and is one of the reasons products can be offered at more affordable prices. 3D Wood is also biocompatible and is readily available since 3D Blackwood and 3D Mahogany are not at risk of becoming endangered. 3D Printing's dimensional accuracy is also on par with CNC machining. Furthermore, this process allows the designer to deposit material in customized infills or patterns in order to fine-tune response and tonal characteristics. It's like programming a tree how to grow to make the most responsive, best-sounding barrel, bell, clarinet, etc.
Pereira 3D offers customers these great products at affordable prices for any artist. The three materials (3D Blackwood, 3D Mahogany, Synthetic Polymer) and various models create numerous options to match a player's sound concept while offering various levels of customization.
The materials are excellent at focusing the sound and achieving richness.
3D products give the customer the option to select colors, provide custom bore measurements, or even customize the shape by reaching out via the Contact page. In addition, customers can make aesthetic customizations, such as colors and patterns for synthetic products or even engraving 3D Wood products. This can all be purchased via the "Customization" option in the Online Store. You can even give us any design you may have (will require a DXF file - giving an image file will require an extra modeling charge) to put on the body of any barrel or bell. Of course, all ligatures come in 9 different colors that can be chosen right in the online store.
Customize Your Product
How It's Made
The 3D printing process creates parts by horizontally depositing layers of material until the item has been made. There is much more beneath the surface, but the multitude of factors in tweaking how each layer is made is an advantage when designing clarinet equipment.
The goal is to create the best possible products that can be made from a spool of material while taking advantage of the consistency of the materials. The prototype process required experimentation of over 30 materials along with the constant tweaking of models. Finally, three materials emerged from the pack (3D Blackwood, 3D Mahogany, and High-Impact Polystyrene) that have exceptional response and tonal characteristics. I am pleased to offer barrels, bells, ligatures, reed cases, Eb/Bass accessories, and even full clarinets after such an extensive yet rewarding research and development process!
Feel free to use the Contact page to ask any questions about 3D products or learn more about the process.
