3D printed waveguides

[jhollander]

They remember my url(?) and don't show a download box except for a 30 day trial.

[augerpro]

I don't remember what the process was, but it was pretty straightforward to just reaffirm you were a student/hobbyist/startup.

[augerpro]

I only have throat shims for the SB26, so I measured with those today on the 4" waveguide. I measured the aluminum and fabric dome, no phase shield.




Seems like an improvement so I'll have to look into this more. Prior to this I didn't see this improvement, I wonder if it is because the smaller throat of the 4" (forgot to print the new 5" and 8" if you remember) allows this to move the performance forward, while prior throats were large enough to cause problems that over-rode the effects of the shim. At this point I'm very happy with the performance of many of these waveguides, some obviously need improvement. Since I doubt the printer will keep printing random variations, and it would really have to be luck to get some better results, at least for the sB26 and SB21, I think I probably need learn ABEC3 now.

[300Z]

They remember my url(?) and don't show a download box except for a 30 day trial.

I just did this. They have a link to the instructions right on the download page.
Basically you download the 30 day trial, install the program and subscribe as a hobbyist. It worked for me.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-activate-start-up-or-educational-licensing-for-Fusion-360.html

[jhollander]

I just did this. They have a link to the instructions right on the download page.
Basically you download the 30 day trial, install the program and subscribe as a hobbyist. It worked for me.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-activate-start-up-or-educational-licensing-for-Fusion-360.html

That worked. Thank you

[mmu7]

Does anyone have any thoughts on a cnc milled waveguide out of MDF ? It seems much simpler and cheaper than the 3d printed alternative.

[TN Allen]

Yes, very nice wgs, individual or integral, can be milled and finished inexpensively, provided the MDF is good. I've had some MDF recently with a faulty core that neither sanded well nor took paint well. Particle board can work well too, but requires more sanding, filling and finishing. And, solid wood baffles with integral wgs are very attractive. Milling wgs also requires considerably less time than printing, and the finish can be much better.

[mmu7]

I'd like to try machining some waveguides. Does anyone have cad drawings that I could use? Kind of hard going through this thread. I'm looking at replicating a radial waveguide like those used by Amphion and Buchard S400. Has there been discussion on waveguide depth and on the profile (is it just radial)?

[augerpro]

I can post an .iges file of whatever design you like.

[TN Allen]

I'd like to try machining some waveguides. Does anyone have cad drawings that I could use? Kind of hard going through this thread. I'm looking at replicating a radial waveguide like those used by Amphion and Buchard S400. Has there been discussion on waveguide depth and on the profile (is it just radial)?

You can find previous threads that discuss waveguides and provide more test results on this forum. The guides in the products you mention are attractive, and probably have a proprietary cross section, which may not really be all of that complex.

Depending upon what you will use to mill your wgs, and the size and geometry, I may also be able to provide toolpaths and design files for a variety of guide shapes and sizes. You can send a PM if you want to discuss this.

An alternative to milling and printing is turning guides using a radius jig on a lathe. This is a nice way to work with solid wood guides, and makes sanding and finishing much easier. This method could also be used for Aluminum or Corian guides. A jig for this is easy and inexpensive to make.

[augerpro]

Some Christmas gifts for y'all! .stl and .stp files for the better performers so far.

SB26: 4" waveguide vA
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tzklvbqn40...%20v2.stl?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dzeyrlcwjgvbp6n/4x.625%20A%2067%20SB26%20v2.step?dl=0



SB26: 5" waveguide vG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o0l964i4iz...%20v5.stl?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7uqbtaz1dsmqf2l/5x.75%20G%20v5.step?dl=0



SB26: 8" waveguide vC
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uxc3eqfgbf...%20v3.stl?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fk40dlpb1x3uitn/8x1.5%20C%20v3.step?dl=0



CSS LD22: 5" waveguide vB
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sd8sk6hdcy...%20v2.stl?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rru0wgy2btf6gmr/5x.75%20B%20LD22%20v2.step?dl=0



CSS LD22: 4" waveguide vA
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qmq3vswi7j...%20v3.stl?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xn5is87s2yk1tog/4x.625%20A%2067%20LD22%20v3.step?dl=0



SB21: 5" waveguide vB
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9s6jjkovsx...%20v1.stl?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/silchhoglo6kvr6/5x.75%20B%20SB21%20v1.step?dl=0



SB21: 4" waveguide vA
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nxuqoaminm...%20v1.stl?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gus68aa7h4havvn/4x.625%20A%2067%20SB21%20v1.step?dl=0

[mmu7]

Thanks, any chance you could test a 7" circular waveguide? Aesthetically, the oval waveguides look ugly in a loudspeaker enclosure.

Also any chance you could post FRD files to make simulations easier

[augerpro]

I did a lot of circular guides at the beginning. Look for my first results in this thread. FRD files...well I don't use those tools, and honestly don't have the time to do that.Sorry

[xmax]

WOW! These are awesome, I'm going to print some of these and test them
with a variety of SB tweets including the ceramic 26mm. THANKS!

[xmax]

Getting close, the other side does not look so good.
How do you guys get the first layer to stick? I have
heard about the glue stick and still not much luck.

These 3D printers are a lot of fun. A lot like CNC
without the noise or mess!