[imcarthur]

"A Stradivarius violin has been "recreated" using an X-ray scanner normally used to detect cancers and injuries, according to researchers. The US-based group used a computerised axial tomography (CAT) scanner on the 307-year-old instrument to reveal its secrets. They then used the data recovered to build "nearly exact copies"."

"To do this they took more than 1,000 CAT scan images from the original instrument and converted them into a file format used to resemble three-dimensional object in computer-aided design (CAD) software. "We used the scans to determine the density of the woods that made up the violin - that could only otherwise be done if the violin was dissected and measured - and of course that would never happen," Dr Sirr said.

The files were then fed into a CNC (computer numerical control) machine. It used the data to carve the violins' back and front plates, neck and the "scroll" carving at the neck's end using various woods picked to match the originals as closely as possible. These were then assembled and varnished by hand.

"The copies are amazingly similar to originals in their sound quality," said Dr Sirr."



While purists will never buy in (search CD vs vinyl or film vs digital photography or . . .) this is pretty incredible. With the Lacy act clamping down on exotic woods, this might lead to a 'digital' solution for recreating a lot of vintage instruments.

Source: BBC Story

Ian