3D Printed Metal 1911

[PegLeg45]

First 3D printed metal gun:

World’s First 3D Printed Metal Gun Manufactured by Solid Concepts

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.

“We’re proving this is possible, the technology is at a place now where we can manufacture a gun with 3D Metal Printing,” says Kent Firestone, Vice President of Additive Manufacturing at Solid Concepts. “And we’re doing this legally. In fact, as far as we know, we’re the only 3D Printing Service Provider with a Federal Firearms License (FFL). Now, if a qualifying customer needs a unique gun part in five days, we can deliver.”

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.

“The whole concept of using a laser sintering process to 3D Print a metal gun revolves around proving the reliability, accuracy and usability of metal 3D Printing as functional prototypes and end use products,” says Firestone. “It’s a common misconception that 3D Printing isn’t accurate or strong enough, and we’re working to change people’s perspective.”

The 3D Printed metal gun proves that 3D Printing isn’t just making trinkets and Yoda heads. The gun manufactured by Solid Concepts debunks the idea that 3D Printing isn’t a viable solution or isn’t ready for mainstream manufacturing. With the right materials and a company that knows how to best program and maintain their machines, 3D printing is accurate, powerful and here to stay.



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

[Dakotaranger]

I need a 3-d printer

[tombogan03884]

I just reread this .
They printed the BARREL as well ?
Gun parts have a general tolerance of +/- .005, this is not exactly "tight", some medical devices I've worked on had tolerances of +/- .0002.
But it is still plenty tight enough for almost all general manufacturing.
Are we watching "machining" go the way of buggy whip manufacturing ?

[TAB]

i doubt it tom,  did you see what they speced for psi on the 45?  20k psi   thats a very light load.  What they aslo didn't say is how many hundreds of hours they have in making it.  Rapid prototyping its all a bunch of layers, the smaller the layer, the more accurate they can build something.  Just like cnc, the closer the points, the more accurate the cut.   3d printing should be called what it really is, but that would not sound as cool.

[PegLeg45]

FTA:

The 3D Printed gun barrel sees chamber pressures above 20,000 psi every time it is fired.

SAMMI puts Maximum Average Pressure for standard .45 ACP loads at about 21,000 and +P loads at about 23,000.



http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/specifications/Velocity_Pressure_CfPR.pdf

[Sponsor]

[Solus]

Yeah...this isn't the model I'd be looking to buy...if I could afford it...

But till now they have been talking plastic.

This is a major advance...dare I say a Quantum Advance?  in the technology.

Now we wait till they can produce a .50 AE that can go for a 20K round endurance test.

Honestly I didn't think I'd see them get to metal and, for sure, not this quickly.

Production speed will come as advances are made too.  Perhaps a large bed that will layer multiple items at a time.

Looks promising though.

[TAB]

until they load it with standard ammo( not some 20k psi powder puff)  i really am not impressed.

[1911 Junkie]

until they load it with standard ammo( not some 20k psi powder puff)  i really am not impressed.

Do you have a point? .45 isn't a high pressure round. If you are making high pressure .45 you're doing something wrong.

[PegLeg45]

until they load it with standard ammo( not some 20k psi powder puff)  i really am not impressed.

?? ?? ??

Do you have a point? .45 isn't a high pressure round. If you are making high pressure .45 you're doing something wrong.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
       What he said


To repeat:
Most .45 ACP falls in the 17,000 to 20,000 psi range with +P just tapping out at 23,000.

Compared to 9mm, .45 ACP is more like a sneeze in the pressure department.  

[TAB]

A 10% increase in pressure is a whole lot more then just 10% in strength.    ps saami specs for 45 is safe to shoot in all guns, 100+ year old models to new ones.  Personally 25k psi is a good testing pressure