3D Printer-Produced Metal Gun

[Dale00]

You've heard of the all plastic 3D printer-produced gun, "The Liberator." Now a gun has been "printed" in metal. The process still needs more work but this is great news that bodes well for the Second Amendment.

Solid Concepts, a world leader in 3D Printing services, manufactures the world’s first 3D Printed Metal Gun.

Austin, TX – Solid Concepts, one of the world leaders in 3D Printing services, has manufactured the world’s first 3D Printed Metal Gun using a laser sintering process and powdered metals. The gun, a 1911 classic design, functions beautifully and has already handled 50 rounds of successful firing. It is composed of 33 17-4 Stainless Steel and Inconel 625 components, and decked with a Selective Laser Sintered (SLS) carbon-fiber filled nylon hand grip. The successful production and functionality of the 1911 3D Printed metal gun proves the viability of 3D Printing for commercial applications....

The metal laser sintering process Solid Concepts used to manufacture the 30+ gun components is one of the most accurate additive manufacturing processes available, and more than accurate enough to build the interchangeable and interfacing parts within the 1911 series gun. The gun proves the tight tolerances laser sintering can meet. Plus, 3D Printed Metal has less porosity issues than an investment cast part and better complexities than a machined part. The 3D Printed gun barrel sees chamber pressures above 20,000 psi every time it is fired. Solid Concepts chose to build the 1911 because the design is public domain....

http://www.solidconcepts.com/news-releases/worlds-first-3d-printed-metal-gun-manufactured-solid-concepts/

 

[Defnestor]

heh-aheh-hah-hahahahah- Bwah-hahaahah!!!

 

[Old Fart]

Now they're getting somewhere. Let's hear back after 10,000 rounds fired.

 

[Dale00]

Here it is (h/t uncle money bags)

[video]http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=535_1383848670[/video]

 

[uncle money bags]

I did a search before i posted and didnt see your thread Dale00. My bad.

 

[Arin Morris]

This will make the lib's eyes roll in the back of their heads and have them foaming at the mouth. Good deal.

 

[Dave70968]

I wonder how laser sintering compares with CNC for cost, durability, and availability.

 

[J.T.]

Laser sintering is very expensive from an equipment standpoint. The metal itself is strong with very little porosity when compared to casting and should be on close to milling. There shouldn't be any concerns with regards to durability assuming the alloy they chose is durable. They cost vs. milling is the kicker, it's cheaper to mill. I will say the .stl file used in CNC is going to be the same in the printer if you chose to copy rather than design from scratch, at least in my industry so the scanner wouldn't need to be a stand alone.

 

[UnSafe]

Just another means to an ends. Everyone remember the pissing and moaning over MIM parts in the late '90's? It survived and at some point, 3D "Printing" (Parenthesis, because it's a lot more involved than squirting ink on powdered metal...) may become a cost competitive means to manufacture technical parts.

Now, Q for the tech heads- Don't the individual parts still have to be machined to fit and function? The pistol in the video looked as if it almost stopped during feeding.

 

[WessonOil]

Have to love the huge chunks of concrete in their berm...bet that produces some interesting richochets.