MIT and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston have launched a collaborative research initiative to create playable replicas of 1,450 historical instruments using CT scanning and additive manufacturing. Led by MIT professor Mark Rau and curator Jared Katz, the team utilizes Lumafield CT scanners to capture internal geometries, followed by acoustic modeling through laser Doppler vibrometry and impact hammer testing. Physical replicas are produced by 3D printing master patterns, which are then used to create plaster molds for slip-casting, with future plans to incorporate traditional luthiery techniques for wooden instruments. The project is funded by the MIT Human Insight Collaborative and aims to replicate at least 100 instruments from the museum collection to preserve original artifacts while enabling acoustic study.

This project highlights the increasing integration of non-destructive metrology and additive manufacturing in cultural heritage preservation. By combining high-resolution CT data with acoustic physics, the team moves beyond simple visual replication to functional, sonic reproduction. This workflow addresses the long-standing challenge of studying fragile artifacts that cannot be physically handled or played, providing a digital and physical bridge for researchers. While the current focus is on museum curation, the methodology demonstrates a scalable approach for reverse engineering complex internal geometries in other sectors, such as medical device modeling or industrial fluid component analysis.

For the additive manufacturing sector, this project demonstrates the value of high-fidelity data capture as a prerequisite for successful replication. The reliance on slip-casting from 3D printed masters suggests that for complex acoustic chambers, hybrid manufacturing remains more effective than direct printing in certain materials. Future success depends on the team's ability to accurately replicate the material properties of the original instruments, as acoustic performance is highly dependent on density and surface finish. Users should note that the value here lies in the precision of the scan-to-print pipeline rather than the printing technology itself.