Make a gun using your printer.

[fightingquaker13]

I came across this on Yahoo. I think its  BS, but if it works it will drive the antis into frothing fits of apoplexy (along with the gun companies). Down load an AK (or at least a zip gun) anyone?
FQ13

http://news.yahoo.com/you-don-t-bring-a-3d-printer-to-a-gun-fight----yet.html

[tombogan03884]

No BS FQ, not "download a "zipgun", download and print anything you can make a CAD file for.
Want a new AR, 1911 ? Print out the parts and put them together.
This will be the death of machinists as we know them.   

Liberal news story but they got the gist of it right .

Some on the technology its self.

[MikeBjerum]

Tom posted the info that proves it is true.  However, the anti's will miss the fact that it is all plastic and will not handle even one shot of a cartridge.

[Timothy]

Machinist have nothing to fear from these printers.  As M58 points out, it's plastic and it replicates, not replaces the original 3D model.  

They're used for rapid prototypes to look for mechanical interferences.  Most 3D systems can do it on screen but some folks are touchy feely and need to hold it in their hands.  Dessault Systems (SolidWorks) has teamed with a company that produces these printers.  I've seen one make a pretty intricate little toy while we watched.

It won't work with alloys, steel or anything substantial.

[tombogan03884]

Tom posted the info that proves it is true.  However, the anti's will miss the fact that it is all plastic and will not handle even one shot of a cartridge.

You're not paying attention, The guy on AR15.com fired 200 rounds through it.
Do I have to point out that a Glock is mostly plastic and they seem to hold up OK.

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

Sorry I didn't read the AR15.com post.  I feel about AR15.com like they feel about us.  I posted on there once and was pretty well handed my rear parts and threatened with removal of some male articles.  Did not need, want or expect that kind of welcome when all I was doing was easing into a new neighborhood.  Have never gone back, and I don't intend to.

Everything I have read or seen in the past was that the parts would serve some usefulness, but mostly they were for prototyping and preparation for machining.  I did not realize that they had developed a heat activated poly that would stand up to this type of pressure in regular use.

As far as Glock, the parts where things go bang are metal. 

[Big Frank]

Cavalry Arms Corporation produced polymer based CAV-15 series receivers from 2000 to 2010. They made more than enough of them to prove it works.

[MikeBjerum]

Ok, now that I have been shown that this technology will work, how does it differ from the fact I can take a few small pieces of hardware, go to my small work bench, and turn out a working handgun, rifle or shotgun that is accurate and powerful?

This is nothing new or high tech.  This is something that anyone with  a few hundred dollars worth of tools and a 7th grade industrial arts class (that is where I made my first .22 rimfire handgun) can do in less than half an hour.

[tombogan03884]

Ok, now that I have been shown that this technology will work, how does it differ from the fact I can take a few small pieces of hardware, go to my small work bench, and turn out a working handgun, rifle or shotgun that is accurate and powerful?

This is nothing new or high tech.  This is something that anyone with  a few hundred dollars worth of tools and a 7th grade industrial arts class (that is where I made my first .22 rimfire handgun) can do in less than half an hour.

You can do this
http://www.cncguns.com/downloads.html
But it requires aluminum which is much more expensive, you have to tend it while the machine is running, blowing chips out of the deep pockets, then there are issues of tool wear and breakage.
There is mess between the chips and coolant.
Or you can hit the "Print" button and come back later with a vacuum cleaner.
No chips, no coolant, no deburring .
It doesn't do metal for a barrel sleeve yet, but that is just a matter of time.

[devzal]

The funny part is that someone can have hundreds of homemade guns of every description and as long as they are not planning on murdering people or using them in an improper manner there is little to fear. Homemade gun don't kill people, murderers kill people and murder is already illegal.