This week’s selection is the 3D printed SongBird turntable by Frame Theory 3D.
The SongBird is a turntable kit that when properly assembled, will actually play LP records for your audio system. It’s designed by Frame Theory 3D, a design startup created by former students in the UK.
The SongBird is provided for two purposes. The first, according to Frame Theory 3D, is to help hone one’s 3D printing skills. That’s quite likely, as the project includes quite a number of 3D printed parts that must be produced for assembly.
Here you can see an exploded view of the SongBird:
The parts should be 3D printable on most desktop devices, although Frame Theory 3D says the minimum build volume required is 220 x 220 x 50 mm. They specifically state the project is compatible with the two most popular desktop options these days, the Creality Ender 3 and Prusa MK3S.
The second purpose for the SongBird is as an end-use consumer product. They wish to demonstrate that it is indeed possible to produce attractive products for the home using commonly available 3D printers.
I believe they’ve achieved this goal, as the SongBird has a peculiarly attractive design: it’s not a box, and it’s not quite a pile of raw components. It’s somewhere in-between that gives it a kind of cool mechanized appearance.
In addition it is possible to 3D print the various parts of the SongBird in different colors. These can be matched in different ways to achieve color-coordinated end results. It’s therefore possible for buyers to add their own bit of creativity into the project.
The SongBird is being launched via a Kickstarter campaign. Your purchase will provide the 3D model files for 3D printing, as well as the necessary electronic components, of which there are quite a few.
In the end you’ll gain experience building a real consumer product with your own color design, and end up with a fully-functioning turntable.
What shall we play first?
Via Frame Theory 3D and Kickstarter
