Out with the Wood and In with the Trash Garrett Allen, Preston Banks Brittan Bennett, and Ceara Metzger

Hypothesis If we use or make a Thermoplastic reed that can be recycled vs. a Cane reed that can also be recycled, we believe that they will have the same pitch and sound frequency, because they both will require the same amount of air pressure needed to make a single note for 15 seconds

Literature Review During our experiment we were unable to obtain information on this particular study however we were able to find valuable information dealing with Rapid Prototyping, and Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Background Information What is a reed? -A reed is a mouthpiece that is used for woodwind instruments - reed is a thin strip of material that vibrates to produce a sound on a musical instrument. There are different types of reeds such as a Single- Reed and a Double-Reed What is Rapid prototyping - Rapid Prototyping is the automatic construction of physical objects using solid freeform fabrication - Rapid Prototyping takes virtual designs from Computer Aided Design aka CAD

Background Information Cont. What is CAD -CAD stands for Computer Aided Design - CAD is the use of computer technology to aid in the design dealing with drafting, technical drafting, and engineering drafting Vandoren has been making reeds since 1905; it’s also one of the most widespread woodwind instrument mouthpieces and reed manufacturers in the world.

Purpose The purpose is to find the pitch for the plastic and cane reed. When finding the pitch/frequency, they will be compared to show that they're both the same in using for saxophones. Cane is home to many insects and food to many animals. Using plastic in the future and now will help solve the elimanation of trees and etc. The experiment if proven will inform and persuade people to buy alternate sources of reed to help the world from what it is now.

Materials 2 Alto Vandoren size 3 ½ Micrometer Alto saxophone/saxophone player Prototyping machine CATIA V517 computer program –CAD (Computer aided design) ‏ “Audacity” computer program Computer microphone Prototype of Alto reed(Thermoplastic) ‏ Metro tune MT9000

Variables Independent variable: Cane and thermoplastic reed- size 3 1/2 Dependent variable: frequency and pitch tendency Controlled: Mouth piece, saxophone, breath of air (by person), room to experiment and temperature

Procedures 1.Gather all materials 2.Measure the dimensions of the wooden reed with a micrometer 3.After measuring the reed, map out the reed on CATIA V5R17 a CAD program 4.When the reed is sketched out, save the program and insert file into the prototyping machine so that the prototyping process can begin 5.Observe how the thermoplastic reed is made/ Write down observations of everything seen in whole process. 6.Then after the prototype is complete take it and dry in the oven to cure.

Procedures Cont. 7.Apply the Vandoren cane reed to the saxophone and play one note into the microphone with the frequency program “Audacity” for 15 seconds on the computer 8.Then apply the same steps for the thermoplastic reed i.e. the plastic reed 9.When finished with the recording of the frequency, for each reed find the pitch for both reed at which the saxophonist regularly adjust his mouth piece positions and keep at same place for both. 10.Measure the pitch with a metronome( Metro tune MT9000) and keep the same note throughout the experiment, Also hold this note for pitch for 10 seconds And record the data. 11.Finally when all have been done, Make comparisons of the results and data recorded and make conclusions for the experiment.

Effects on the Real World 1.If thermoplastic reeds prove to be efficient then researches and buyers, will be able to lower the cost and the effect of Cane reeds. 2.It will also save many insect and animal homes, it can also lower the effects of killing off many animal food supplies 3.If thermoplastic reeds prove to be effective we can also use already processed plastic that has been recycled.

Results from Cane reed

Results continued When the Cane reed was measured by pitch it sustain at O cent. It was neither flat nor sharp, meaning it was at G concert pitch. For the frequency, the labels were Khz and decibels. We created the sound into voltage which would be the same for both reeds by looking at them.

Conclusions What we were trying to find out was that a plastic reed that is proven to be more recyclable and the Cane reed that is not as recyclable were going to both have the same frequency and pitch because they will both require the same amount of air to be blown. In our results it is believe that both reed were going to be the same in everyway even so being measure. It proved our hypothesis is warrantable because is easy to be obtains for further researched and or experimented so a plastic reed can be used in the future. The experiment will be for people who want change and it will give them an idea of what to do for the future of reed players. Also when rapid prototyping is more reachable for the public or musicians and also cheaper then it would be more useful for reed players.

Reference Bozdoc, Martian “The History of CAD” 3. t2i137http:// t2i html

Thank You Mrs. Scott Mrs. Johnson Mrs. Morgan Engineering Department Mr. Smith Ms. Gallagos

Questions