How would you like to see AR15 accessories made with 3D printers?
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FIVETWOSEVEN
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Doesn't mean that it's limited to just that. It does say in the link with the magazine that sanding is required.
northark147
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I kinda browsed some sites about the rep rap printers... Somewhere in my browsing I saw already assembled printers for 1300. The plastic to feed them on the same site was between 45 and 70 per 5 lb roll depending on color.
FIVETWOSEVEN
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If the plastic can handle being an AR 15 lower, if you get your manufactur license, you can really crank them out with possibility of high profit, it would pay for itself in no time if people were interested.
If you do make one and want to test it, you can send it to me and I could give it a fairly good test. Just add a buttstock before you send it because I can't buy a stripped reciever yet being under 21.
If you do make one and want to test it, you can send it to me and I could give it a fairly good test. Just add a buttstock before you send it because I can't buy a stripped reciever yet being under 21.
9 times out of 10, if nobody is doing something a particular way, there's a reason. Everyone always thinks their idea is the one nobody has thought of. Rapid prototyping machines will never provide a cost effective alternative to injection molding and other established plastics manufacturing. Yes, a good rapid prototyper may be able to do the job, but you're talking much more up front money, and money per unit, than a good injection mold.
Do you know this to be the accurate or is it that you'd like it to be the case?
Justin's concern is the same as mine. I know of no 3D-printer that uses materials that have the finished strength to use for firearms or firearms parts.
FDM Models
I work on the Dimension line of 3D printers, which use ABS plastic as the medium. Strength is about 80-85% of injection molded parts with the advantage of being able to make parts which can't be molded. This is due to the support material being soluble in a sodium hydroxide solution. With the clearances right you can even make a multi-part machine that moves with no assembly required, just dissolve the support. As for the AR lower, yes it can be made, see herehttp://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7441970&postcount=11 . I also have models for 1911 frame and slide and a Beretta 92 frame available.
These may work for a few rounds, similar to the Liberator pistol from WWII, to secure a better weapon, but until material strength is increased they are strictly prototypes only.
I work on the Dimension line of 3D printers, which use ABS plastic as the medium. Strength is about 80-85% of injection molded parts with the advantage of being able to make parts which can't be molded. This is due to the support material being soluble in a sodium hydroxide solution. With the clearances right you can even make a multi-part machine that moves with no assembly required, just dissolve the support. As for the AR lower, yes it can be made, see herehttp://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7441970&postcount=11 . I also have models for 1911 frame and slide and a Beretta 92 frame available.
These may work for a few rounds, similar to the Liberator pistol from WWII, to secure a better weapon, but until material strength is increased they are strictly prototypes only.
Tom488
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Just whatever you do, don't print them in one location, then finish/assemble them in another location.... didn't work out too well for the last guys who did that.
Dnaltrop
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The future is nearly here... ready made tools from scrap material, clothes, parts... 3d printing will be of utmost importance to the space program.
For us we can only wait and drool until properly high-tensile metal printing allows us to recreate the guns of the past in our garages. I'd print a 9mm Broomhandle Mauser and just keep going from there. (Manufacturing laws aside etc for a different discussion)
http://vimeo.com/25401444
My current favorite 3 d printing video, gentleman using solar power to sinter sand into shapes. Imagine dropping a large scale sinter on the moon or Mars, and using them to pre-fab structures in advance of the arrival of Astronauts.
For us we can only wait and drool until properly high-tensile metal printing allows us to recreate the guns of the past in our garages. I'd print a 9mm Broomhandle Mauser and just keep going from there. (Manufacturing laws aside etc for a different discussion)
http://vimeo.com/25401444
My current favorite 3 d printing video, gentleman using solar power to sinter sand into shapes. Imagine dropping a large scale sinter on the moon or Mars, and using them to pre-fab structures in advance of the arrival of Astronauts.
FIVETWOSEVEN
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Calvary arms made the two halves at one location and sonic fused them together at another. With this printer, you would print the whole thing at once.
I believe they are already starting to experiment with metal.
Dnaltrop
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http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2009-08/3-d-printing-now-stainless-steel
Like so?
Right now the big issue is durability, perhaps a specialized hardening process could turn such things into something capable of handling the pressure of a round in the next few years.
Edit- The link for the company that does this process, perhaps a braver, richer member of THR will create a replica of something for us to Ooo and Ahh over.
http://www.shapeways.com/themes/stainless_steel_3dprinting_gallery
Like so?
Right now the big issue is durability, perhaps a specialized hardening process could turn such things into something capable of handling the pressure of a round in the next few years.
Edit- The link for the company that does this process, perhaps a braver, richer member of THR will create a replica of something for us to Ooo and Ahh over.
http://www.shapeways.com/themes/stainless_steel_3dprinting_gallery
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