Attention all metalheads, here’s the perfect stage prop for any singer: A Skeletor 3D printed microphone casing, designed and 3D printed by ODD guitars. 

If you’re into 3D printing and metal, here’s a little something that might interest you – a 3D printed microphone casing looking like a skull.

ODD guitars offer a range of interesting 3D printed designs, created by Olaf Diegel. The “long-standing design engineer, with a passion for 3D printing” now has a new design called the “Skeletor 3D printed microphone”.

The microphone casing showcases the benefits of additive manufacturing. Diegel explains that his work was inspired by market researcher Terry Wohlers, who suggested he designed an unusual microphone.

So far, Diegel has developed a range of 3D printable guitars and instruments, so this project “sounded like the perfect idea.” Diegel wanted to design a microphone for hard-rock musicians who would be likely to play his favorite 3D printed guitar design, the Spider.

The Skeletor Microphone’s Perfect for Metal Heads

When Diegel create the ultimate microphone prop, he had Ozzy Osbourne in mind. Diegel designed the case in Solidworks, so it fits a Shure SM58 microphone, which is the most common, sturdy and reliable stage microphone.

He adds: “The beauty of additive manufacturing, is that it is very easy to change the interior mounting system to suit almost any microphone capsule, without it costing anything more to manufacture.”

Diegel uses a selective laser sintering (SLS) system to bring his rock creations to life. He printed his first iteration on an EOS Formiga P110 SLS system. To do this, he used nylon powder and a layer thickness of 0.1mm.

The design was originally created with a porous lattice structure which Diegel intended on printing in aluminum. However, after first printing in nylon, Diegel believed the quality was good enough for a standard version.

As a benefit, it also makes economic sense. However, Diegel hopes to later offer a deluxe version of his mic in aluminum. But, he adds:

“I will not print this until I have direct access to some metal AM machines in a few months, as it will take a bit of experimenting with the design, the print orientation, and the support material, to get it to print as easily as possible in aluminum.” Watch this space and rock out until then!

If you’d like your own Skeletor mic, head to the ODD Guitars website to place your order. After paying, Diegel will print, paint and assemble the Skeletor so it’s ready to play at your next gig.

Source: ODD Guitars