Digital evaluation and replication of period wind instruments: the role of micro-computed tomography and additive manufacturing

This project used Micro-Computed Tomography (µCT) to study the anatomy of antique wind instruments and their ephemeral parts. The method permits measuring without applying physical tools to the specimen, with a precision of 1/1000mm, thereby reducing error. We used data files to perform Additive Manufacture (AM) of ophicleide and saxophone mouthpieces and joints of a historic recorder; the foot-joint of the recorder was replicated with greater fidelity to the original than by standard artisanal methods. Novel details of the construction of a Charles Sax ophicleide mouthpiece, of an Adolphe Sax saxophone mouthpiece, and of two Triébert curved cors anglais were revealed for the first time. µCT with AM offers significant insights into the construction of woodwind instruments, permitting us to replicate mouthpieces and small woodwind joints. Of interest is our ability to scale µCT data to create species of mouthpiece that no longer exist; this method will be applied to complete instruments. We anticipate producing large numbers of identical objects with these processes shortly, the limiting factor being the data transfer and modification of the prototypes. Further studies involving these methods and others such as computer-numerical controlled (CNC) milling will expand our ability to understand the construction and acoustics of early wind instruments, to study larger specimens and to replicate them by µCT, AM and CNC without the need to take physical measurements or expose specimens to harm.