Composites
For this week, I want to make my own speakers out of the burlap composites. After some researches on how speakers work in terms of airflow and speaker placements, I quickly found out that most of them are just in boxes with different air channels. I decided to go with something less boxy looking, a speaker that shapes like an old speaker cone.
I printed the model with a 3D printer with a very thin walls since I will be using this as the model to lay burlaps on. I also made the base with the 3D printer for the vacuums mold.
After seeing the speakers in person, I realized that it looks like David Lynch’s speakers…
Preparations
I used the laser cutter to cut out all my burlaps. I used high speed, 25% power and 25% frequency as my settings and it came out pretty well and it didn’t take all that long.
I used Johnson Wax, Release Fabric and Mann Release Technologies Ease Release (yes, all of them, might be over kill) in between my 3D printed mold and the composites layer (burlap and Epoxy Resin by Entropy Resins). The holes in the Release Fabric helps the bleed/ white sponge material to absorb the extra resin.
I spread the clear Entropy Resins (2 part A and 1 part B) onto each burlap and stack them layer by layer. They are extremely runny. I then vacuums it with a vacuums plastic, designed to store clothing.
It was pretty easy to break the mold apart, and take out the 3D printed mold. I then trim and sand the pieces to size.
All the sanding and cutting leaves the surface white and rough, so I coated it with another thin layer of resin, using it as paint. I had to wait for about 12 hours before I can do anything with it.
Assemble
I use laser cutter to cut out the supporting materials/plexiglass for the speakers. The wiring was pretty tricky since I am working within a pretty tight space.
Wire up the an Amp
With some hot glues, the speakers are in position and ready to wired up with an Amp. The speaker wire jack makes it easy to attach and detach.
Testing the speakers
Acoustic Improvement
The speaker doesn’t have the richer bass and deeper sound that I was looking for, so I dod some experiments by covering the front air vent with plexiglass. The speakers sounded a lot better after I cover the front vent, the one directional airflow makes it sound louder with much better bass.
Before
After
What would I do differently
I should pay more attention with the 3D model unfolds before I cut them with laser cutter.
I would make the speaker cone 2 times larger so it produces better bass.
I should do 2 part compression mold to get better surface on both sides with burlap composite.
Stuff that we used in the shop
| Entropy Resins | https://entropyresins.com/ | |
| https://entropyresins.com/product/super-sap-100-1000/ | Super Sap 100 Epoxy and 1000 Hardener, 3 gal, Complete Starter Kit (Pumps, cups, sticks, gloves) | $254.95 |
| https://entropyresins.com/product/super-sap-ccr-clear-casting-epoxy-resin/ | Super Sap CCR Epoxy and CCF (FAST) Hardener, 3 gal, Complete Starter Kit (Pumps, cups, sticks, gloves) | $254.95 |
| Fabrics-store.com | http://www.fabrics-store.com | |
| http://www.fabrics-store.com/first.php?goto=big_fabric&menu=f&menu=f&fabric_id=740 | IL020, 100% Linen, 57 inch, per yard | $10.39 |
| Amazon | http://www.amazon.com | |
| http://www.amazon.com/LA-Linen-15-Inch-Natural-100-Yard/dp/B00HTVMX08 | LA Linen 15-Inch Natural Jute Burlap Roll, 100-Yard, Natural | $50.9 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Wiss-28N-Industrial-Shears-Scissors/dp/B000TDILJA | Wiss 28N Industrial Shears / Scissors | $26.32 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-910M-Length-Width-Metro/dp/B004NG9120 | Reynolds 910M 2000′ Length x 12″ Width, Metro Line PVC Food Wrap Film | $19.88 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Duck-Stretch-20-Inch-Single-970700/dp/B000NHTUCE | Duck Brand Stretch Wrap, 20 Inches Wide x 1000 Feet Long, Single Roll (970700) | $19.97 |
| http://www.amazon.com/RELEASE-FABRIC-60-inches-yards/dp/B002IZBNJ2 | RELEASE FABRIC 60 inches x 2 yards | $32.75 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Warner-250-Tool-covering-Perforator/dp/B000I6JLAQ | Warner 250 Tool Wall covering Perforator | $31.62 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Morning-Glory-Batting-81-Inch-96-Inch/dp/B0040ZOOEY | Morning Glory Great Glory III Full Extra Loft Batting, 81-Inch by 96-Inch | $12.16 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Space-Saver-Vacuum-Storage-Jumbo/dp/B004X98B5A | 50 PACK Space Saver Vacuum Storage Bags Jumbo Size 51″X40″ | $102.95 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Mann-Release-Technologies-Ease-200/dp/B004BNAN3G | Mann Release Technologies Ease Release 200 14 fl. oz. | $10.44 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Fine-Wood-Paste-00203/dp/B0000DIWIM | Johnson Wax 16 Oz Fine Wood Paste Wax 00203 | $7.99 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Glue-50008-Adhesive-8-Ounces/dp/B0000223UV | 8oz Original Gorilla Glue | $12.99 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Members-Mark-Clear-Plastic-Cups/dp/B001KJFPR8 | Members Mark Clear Plastic Cups – 100/16oz Cups | $12.39 |
| http://www.amazon.com/All-you-Containers-Lids-32/dp/B00IEBYLKM | All 4 you Containers w/ Lids 32 oz (24) | $12.99 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Chenille-Kraft-Natural-Sticks-3776-01/dp/B001GXD6BU | Chenille Kraft Natural Wood Craft Sticks, Jumbo Size, 6 x 3/4, Wood, Natural Wood, 500/Box (3776-01) | $7.27 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Stix-PAINT9-Birchwood-Paddle/dp/B009EE61MY | Perfect Stix 9″ Wooden Paint Paddle Stirrer Sticks Length (Pack of 100) | $13.25 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-4526-4-Inch-Plastic-Spreaders/dp/B000LQDATG | Mountain 4526 4-Inch Plastic Spreaders, 100/box | $28.39 |
| http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003K15D9E | Ansell TNT Blue 92-575 Nitrile Glove, Chemical Resistant, Powdered, Disposable, Rolled Beaded Cuff, 9.5″ Length, 5 mils Thick, Large (Pack of 100) | $7.95 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Denali-30-Piece-Bar-Clamp-Assortment/dp/B000NDMO94 | Denali 30-Piece Bar Clamp Assortment | $124.99 |
| http://www.amazon.com/BLACK-GARBAGE-TRASH-INDUSTRIAL-GALLON/dp/B000Y3PPK8 | BLACK GARBAGE (TRASH) BAGS FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIAL USE, 60 GALLON XXX. HEAVY, BLACK 2.1 MIL – 4 MIL STRENGTH, 100/CASE | $53.99 |
| http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Seal-Mastic-Width-Length/dp/B0010XFTQ6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1412974975&sr=8-3&keywords=scotch+mastic+tape | 3M Scotch-Seal Mastic Tape | $$11.72 |
| http://www.amazon.com/FJC-6900-Operated-Vacuum-Pump/dp/B002ER1IA8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413288098&sr=8-2&keywords=air+operated+vacuum+pump | Air Operated Vacuum Pump (if have access to compressed air) | $$26.03 |
| http://www.amazon.com/Brake-Bleeder-Vacuum-Pump-Kit/dp/B005BT90DI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1413287609&sr=8-5&keywords=Brake+Bleeder | Brake Bleeder and Vacuum Pump Kit (if no access to compressed air) | $$29.99 |