Starting with the right design is necessary, but executing that design precisely is also a must. Even so, the final hand finishing is still crucial. Here are a few of the steps every mouthpiece goes thorough on its way from solid bar to playing mouthpiece.
01
CAD Model
Start with one of the CAD models.
02
CAM Programming
Use the CAM (Computer Aided Machining) software to tell the machine how to carve the mouthpiece out of a solid bar of brass. This video is of the machining simulation. When the simulation seems to cut the part right, we move on to the next step
03
CNC Translation
Next we translate the toolpaths of the CAM program into something the CNC machine understands. This is what those toolpaths look like to the machine
04
CNC machining
Finally, chuck a piece of brass (in this video, it's ebonite) in the machine and press "go"!
That's how we manufacture our blanks. At this stage they play very well, but could be made to play better and still need polishing and prettifying.