Jun 5, 2014
A team of design and technology enthusiasts at Akemake has created a beautiful speaker using 3D printing and wood filament. If you have your own 3D printer to make some of the components, this beautiful speaker can be built for just $120 in parts and materials.
Inspired by the shape of the internal shell of spirula, a species of deep water squid-like cephalopod mollusk known as ram's horn squid, designer Ondra Chotovinsky of Akemake designed and printed the Spirula parts in just 18 hours, more specifically 2 x 9hrs.
"We print these speaker without support because we want to achieve the highest possible quality of the exposed surface and maintain the clarity of the printing pattern which makes it so unique." said Machal Kandler of Akemake.
Afterwards both printed halves were bonded together using 2-component adhesive. "Assembly time is about two hours. This includes: bonding, bit of soldering and assembling components together (4" driver, 3 feet, audio connectors & cables)." Kandler explained.
The wood filament used for the Spirula 4.0 is Timberfill made by Fillamentum, "a material made from 100% natural materials and biodegradable in nature," according to the site. It sounds similiar as the Laywood-D3, a wood-based 3D printing filament invented by Kai Parthy, which contains 40% recycled wood and harmless binding polymers. After printing it looks and smells like wood and can also be handled like wood.
"The weight of one speaker (without components) is roughly 650g, so it can printed out from one Timberfill roll." Kandler told us. "The printing cost is approximately $52 (again, purely the material per one speaker)."
As to the total cost, Kandler said Akemake has selected and used only the components which are available worldwide. For example:
- Spirula Speaker from Timberfill - 52$ (USD)
- Driver - W4-1052SDF - $40 (USD)
- Spikes - SPS35/SC - $22 (USD) per 4pcs
- RCA connectors - $7 (USD) per pair
So the total cost can be approximately $120 USD / per one speaker (no labor & printing time considered).
This 3D printed model is the first speaker in the world printed from wood filament, says Kandler. The model is now available on Akemake website for free download, and will only be printed in really low volume depending on online demand.
You can visit Akemake and see Spirula speakers exhibited on Design Terminal in Budapest (5-7 June www.designterminal.com), 3D Printshow in London (4-6 Sept, 3dprintshow.com) and TCT show in Birmingham (30 Sept – 2 Oct www.tctshow.com).
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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Please share me stl file. Thanks
RNO wrote at 2/2/2018 8:57:04 PM:
I have the stl
Turhan wrote at 7/16/2015 5:34:36 AM:
Also trying to get the download but the site is down? Can anyone put the STL files up somewhere?
Gareth wrote at 6/18/2015 1:04:44 AM:
I've been looking for the files for months :'(
P Kearney wrote at 4/28/2015 2:07:26 PM:
Is this file still available
sign2apple wrote at 2/11/2015 9:16:23 PM:
Can some post the STL on dropbox or something else? The akemake website is down.
sign2apple wrote at 2/11/2015 9:13:59 PM:
Can someone post the stl. The akemake website is down.
Ed wrote at 12/31/2014 4:27:36 PM:
Can anyone post the STL file, the store is down
3D Man wrote at 12/31/2014 4:09:54 PM:
FatGeekyMan, I cant get the STL, can you post it on drobbox or thingaverse
daineko wrote at 6/13/2014 8:58:24 AM:
this looks very much like the B&W Nautilus speaker
Meh wrote at 6/6/2014 12:56:20 PM:
Good to hear, I might have to go register then ;)
FatGeekyMan wrote at 6/6/2014 3:24:18 AM:
Just got the STLs no prob.
Meh wrote at 6/5/2014 11:00:43 PM:
Even though its free, you still have to register to download it, and according to their page, you only get the g-code, not the stl's
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