Mechanical Engineering Technology Acoustics Lab
This is the web site for the Mechanical Engineering
Technology Acoustics Lab at
Purdue University.
METAL is a new project devoted to the technical aspects of musical acoustics, particularly
those involving guitars. METAL is being developed by
Mark French, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology with lots of help from Brad Harriger, Professor of Manufacturing Engineering Technology.
The lab is used to develop new instruments, new technologies and to use guitar making as a way of teaching engineering technology and advanced manufacturing.
Mark has a new book out! Engineering the Guitar: Theory and Practice explains the underlying mechanical concepts behind the guitar, supported by both theory and test results. I hate reading technical books with no illustrations, so this one has a bunch. There are sections on manufacturing, acoustics, dynamics, electronic and sound quality along with lots of practical information like measurements and wiring diagrams.
In addition to credit courses offered during the school year, there are several summer workshops available to people who are not registered Purdue students. In the summer of 2008, there were three such workshops. One was open to anyone and the other two were for high school students. We will run these events again in the summer of 2009. The next high school guitar making workshop will be June 16-19, 2009. Contact Mark French for more info.
The Next Purdue Guitar Workshop Will be Held July 6-10, 2009
Click here to go to the Purdue Guitar Workshop Registration Site
A few pictures from the 2008 workshop
Check out a news story on the 2008 workshop
High School Students, there is going to be workshop just for you, June 23-26, 2009
Class Picture from 2008 High School class Sponsored by the SME Education Foundation
METAL has been started largely dependent on external funding.
Continuing operation of the lab and of our ability to teach students is dependent on outside support. These companies have generously donated equipment and materials. Click on the logos to visit the company web sites.