3D Printed Metal 1911

[tombogan03884]

Well, I got some sort of answer.
Of course I didn't expect them to say it "couldn't hit sh!t".

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Sports/2013/11/08/World-s-First-3D-Printed-Metal-45-Cal-Pistol-Made-In-Austin-TX

On November 6th, Austin, Texas-based Solid Concepts announced the successful printing and firing of the world's first 3D-printed metal 1911 handgun.

The gun, printed by Solid Concepts, looks like any mil spec 1911 you could find in a local gun store.

Every aspect of the gun is printed using Solid Concept's Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) process--except for the springs. During tests the gun repeatedly fired and cycled using standard Winchester .45 cal ammunition. Accuracy was impressive.

After the successful tests, Solid Concepts' Phillip Conner said, "We were not looking for a cheaper, easier, better way to make a gun--that wasn't the point at all." Rather, he said they were trying to "dispel the commonly held notion" that their DMLS parts and guns "are not strong enough or accurate enough for real world applications."

Solid Concepts holds a federal firearms licence (FFL).

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins

[Solus]

I guess no one would be very impressed with the Wright Brother's. first attempt at powered flight.

The plane was in the air for 3 seconds and suffered minor damage upon landing.

No matter that the accuracy or durability of this gun, I'd bet those folks are not thinking that the results were good enough and are calling it a wrap.

Rather, I'd bet they are doing all they can to make the next one as much of an improvement as possible....just like the Wright Brothers.

[PegLeg45]

I guess no one would be very impressed with the Wright Brother's. first attempt at powered flight.

The plane was in the air for 3 seconds and suffered minor damage upon landing.

No matter that the accuracy or durability of this gun, I'd bet those folks are not thinking that the results were good enough and are calling it a wrap.

Rather, I'd bet they are doing all they can to make the next one as much of an improvement as possible....just like the Wright Brothers.

Hey, I hear they were great bicycle mechanics also......             

[Solus]

Solid Concepts is a privately owned company, but I'd sure like to be able to scrape up a few bucks and buy a share should they go public.

I have no idea of the cost effectiveness of the process, but that will improve..no matter what it is.

And for a manufacturer, having the only inventory you need to keep in supply from outside be crates of springs and drums of powdered metal has to be an advantage....and a process to make the springs might eventually be developed

[Solus]

Hey, I hear they were great bicycle mechanics also......             

Yeah =))  and they might have run into marketing problems too....

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

Bob Newhart is a riot .

[TAB]

COst i am sure was deep into the 5 digets.( 6 would not shock me)  Knowing lots of people in rapid protyping  none of it is cheap, let alone something more exotic.    then there is all the modeling before it gets made and the checking of the code...   that alone is 100s of man hours.    the there is material.   i have no idea what the metal they used cost, but i know the plastics and resins can get into the $500 per oz, yes per  oz

[tombogan03884]

Here's the link for the company website.

http://www.solidconcepts.com/

Something for TAB to consider.
This will serve as one heck of a PR stunt.
Had you ever heard of them before ?
I hadn't.
Also, the programing work was probably done as a spare time project by salaried workers so that part would have been basically free.
So the actual cost was probably just materials and running the machine.

[1911 Junkie]

COst i am sure was deep into the 5 digets.( 6 would not shock me)  Knowing lots of people in rapid protyping  none of it is cheap, let alone something more exotic.    then there is all the modeling before it gets made and the checking of the code...   that alone is 100s of man hours.    the there is material.   i have no idea what the metal they used cost, but i know the plastics and resins can get into the $500 per oz, yes per  oz

For God's sake TAB, everything has to start somewhere. Look at computers, tvs and most modern things. They were expensive as hell in the beginning but according to your thinking because the price wasn't immediately gratifying to you then all the projects should have been scrapped. What will you be saying in 20 years when you have a 3D printer sitting on your job site spitting out parts you need for that job?

[TAB]

What i am saying, is this was only done becuase they could.  Is it cool, yeah, useful, not really.  Is it every going to be viable, no.   physics comes into play.