Mechanical Engineering Technology
Acoustics Lab
This is the web site for the Mechanical Engineering Technology Acoustics Lab at Purdue University. METAL is a project devoted to the technical aspects of musical acoustics, particularly those involving guitars. METAL is being developed by Mark French, Associate 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. There will be three separate workshops in summer 2010. Registration will open soon, so check back!
- Girls Rock, June 28 - July 2, 2010
- This workshop is directed specially towards girls going into 10th, 11th and 12th grades, though boys are welcome, too.
- Each student will make a custom electric guitar complete with personal paint scheme.
- Everyone will get a padded gig bag and event T-shirt
- Students will stay on campus in an air-conditioned residence hall (with appropriate supervision) and eat in one of the dining halls.
- You'll find out about Purdue while having fun and making friends.
- There 18 slots available and the registration fee is $950.
- Purdue High School Guitar Workshop, July 12-16, 2010
- This workshop is for students going into 10th, 11th and 12th grades
- Everyone will make a custom electric guitar
- Everyone will get a padded gig bag and event T-shirt
- Students will stay on campus in an air-conditioned residence hall (with appropriate supervision) and eat in one of the dining halls.
- You'll find out about Purdue while having fun and making friends.
- There 18 slots available and the registration fee is $950.
- Purdue Guitar Workshop, July 26-30, 2010
- This is the premier event of the summer
- Everyone will make a custom electic guitar using select, figured wood, Seymour Duncan Pickups, Fender hardware and other top quality parts.
- The class will be taught by both Purdue faculty members and experts from the guitar industry.
- There are 20 slots available and the registration fee is $1450
There were three guitar making workshops last summer. You can see pictures from them on Flickr at: www.flickr.com/purdue_guitar
Also, here's a video made by the sponsor of one of the Summer 2008 workshops:
mms://video.dis.purdue.edu/bns/technology/guitar090220.wmv
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.
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