Folding Cello
Many public schools are unable to afford music programs because of the high price of instruments. It's not just the initial price that's problematic, though. In a school, instruments are easily broken by being dropped, kicked, sat on, etc., and the cost of repairs become unsustainable. We designed a cello using engineering materials like aluminum sheet metal, plywood, and delrin that is both easy to produce and robust against common impacts.
The neck is detachable using a levered string detensioner, preventing it from breaking when impacted.
The shell of the back is folded and riveted sheet metal that is then bolted with low profile screws to the front of the cello, with energy being transferred from the bridge to the back of the cello via a laser cut sound post. The end pin is custom designed to have a rubber foot, so it can be placed on multiple surfaces that normally require additional support (such as smooth, hard surfaces that a traditional end pin slides on).
