3D printed AR-15 magazine
- Thread starter SCDL
- Start date
I imagine they can probably all take a STEP (.stp) file as an input since that format is meant to be universal. Any good CAD program (SolidWorks inlcuded) can save in that format. SolidWorks can also save in the Stereolithograph (.stl) format mentioned earlier in the thread.
Thoughts
1) This is clearly not a technology for mass production. In the video they clearly say it is a good way for a person to fabricate what they need. You wouldn't be able to make this economically viable for commercial uses because you would lack economies of scale, specialized tooling and the inputs neccessary to operate on a large scale, and therefore would not be able to be competitive with established manufacturers who would have substantially lower cost input and much higher output at lower overall cost than you. However this is a perfect rig if you wanted to fabricate parts for your self (see my second point before criticizing)... perhaps replicate things like AR stocks, grips, quad rail guards, cheek risers, trigger guards, buffers, shims, and etc.
2) You could EVENTUALLY make firearm parts that could handle the required stress levels needed in a conventional firearm. In the video it stated that version 1 was able to replicate many parts for version 2. Version 2 was able to improve this ratio again and manufacture another reprap. As the technology replicates itself, they are introducing more materials that it can work with and thus expanding the capabilities. They said that the next version would be able to replicate circuits and electronic parts needed, thus increasing the % of replication. Part of the evolution of manufacturing (especially the rapid technological change we have seen in the last three decades) has come from our ability to use tools to make more refined tools, which in turn allow us to make even more specialized, refined, accurate and durable tools. If you look at project CNC kits, many people are able to start creating more advanced CNC equipment... by fabricating the parts they need using their current equipment. Replication in manufacturing is faciniating as each endevour allows us to improve effeciency and increase scale, quality, quantity and etc.
3) If you don't like the colors RIT dye (sold at wallmart) can turn most plastic/polymer different colors. I am going to test it on some magpul parts to see how effective it is. I know it works on many light color plastics, and you can use the bleaching RIT to ligthen up dark plastics/polymer.
1) This is clearly not a technology for mass production. In the video they clearly say it is a good way for a person to fabricate what they need. You wouldn't be able to make this economically viable for commercial uses because you would lack economies of scale, specialized tooling and the inputs neccessary to operate on a large scale, and therefore would not be able to be competitive with established manufacturers who would have substantially lower cost input and much higher output at lower overall cost than you. However this is a perfect rig if you wanted to fabricate parts for your self (see my second point before criticizing)... perhaps replicate things like AR stocks, grips, quad rail guards, cheek risers, trigger guards, buffers, shims, and etc.
2) You could EVENTUALLY make firearm parts that could handle the required stress levels needed in a conventional firearm. In the video it stated that version 1 was able to replicate many parts for version 2. Version 2 was able to improve this ratio again and manufacture another reprap. As the technology replicates itself, they are introducing more materials that it can work with and thus expanding the capabilities. They said that the next version would be able to replicate circuits and electronic parts needed, thus increasing the % of replication. Part of the evolution of manufacturing (especially the rapid technological change we have seen in the last three decades) has come from our ability to use tools to make more refined tools, which in turn allow us to make even more specialized, refined, accurate and durable tools. If you look at project CNC kits, many people are able to start creating more advanced CNC equipment... by fabricating the parts they need using their current equipment. Replication in manufacturing is faciniating as each endevour allows us to improve effeciency and increase scale, quality, quantity and etc.
3) If you don't like the colors RIT dye (sold at wallmart) can turn most plastic/polymer different colors. I am going to test it on some magpul parts to see how effective it is. I know it works on many light color plastics, and you can use the bleaching RIT to ligthen up dark plastics/polymer.
Most 3D printers use .stl.
andrew3081
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
What is the point of these 3D printing stuff?
You need a nail and a pipe an elastic band. Tada homemade shotgun. It will never be a good quality but it would work it might blow up it might not. just youtube homemade zip guns or shotguns sure they're prohibited here but its very basic home depot type stuff.
For rapid protypeing or createing moldes for 1 of a kind items say you want a man jumping in the air with a cowboy hat someone could create you a model or the whole thing. The idea was to use it in space to create tools that you need I forgot my screw driver print one up
Think apoloa 13 ok guys we only have this to work with to make this square filter work with a round hole. Now they could just print an adapter peice.
andrew3081
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
They will just ban the printer or the material require to print the firearm. They will think of something...
You can already make your own guns...you just need lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$ for the machines.
You're right, that's why mills, lathes, and metal are all illegal.
