Case study · Consumer goods

3D-printed musical instruments: Fliphead’s mouthpiece innovation

How 3D printing and vapor smoothing perfected the sound and style of a unique flute-to-saxophone mouthpiece.

Fliphead, working with 1zu1 (part of the Prototal Group), reimagined how wind instruments can be played. Its 3D-printed mouthpiece lets flutists play their C flute with the relaxed posture of a saxophone and the tonal expressiveness of an Irish low flute.

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A flute and a 3D-printed mouthpiece in an open instrument case
PhotoFliphead’s mouthpiece with a C flute. Photo © Fliphead UG.
Customer
Fliphead
With
1zu1 (part of the Prototal Group)
Industry
Consumer goods
Application
Flute-to-saxophone mouthpiece
Printing
3D printing
Finishing
PostPro vapor smoothing
Published

Why the finish mattered

To combine sound quality, hygiene and visual appeal, the mouthpiece needed the right surface finish.

Benefits of PostPro vapor smoothing

By adding PostPro vapor smoothing to its workflow, Fliphead scaled production and kept product quality consistent. The combination of 3D printing and post-processing delivered these benefits:PDF

  • Refined, smoothed surfaces that look and feel good
  • Enhanced sound performance
  • Consistent results and quality

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