3-D metal printing

[Homer J Simpson]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2016/02/14/3-d-metal-printing-eliminates-cant/80386862/

[German_EE]

Is this how they make parts for guns or is it another method?

[PA0PBZ]

3D metal printing or 3D Mattel printing? 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/baig/2016/02/12/mattel-resurrects-thingmaker-3d-printer/80236104/#

[Brumby]

Is this how they make parts for guns or is it another method?

There are certain parts of guns that can be made by 3D printing.  The barrel is not one of them, but that is just a metal cylinder anyway.  Some of the more complicated and essential parts - such as the receiver - can be printed ... not just by this machine, but by any 3D printer that can do ABS.  That's getting scary.

[German_EE]

OK, thanks. I should point out that I don't do guns or anything else that goes bang on purpose so if any three-letter agencies are getting worried there's no need.

[Galenbo]

OK, thanks. I should point out that I don't do guns or anything else that goes bang on purpose so if any three-letter agencies are getting worried there's no need.

Guns exist before electricity was available. All you need are some hand tools and a plan.

Having one is very easy, buy a nail pistol for woodworkers and block the security at the head.

[lowimpedance]

Is this how they make parts for guns or is it another method?

There are certain parts of guns that can be made by 3D printing.  The barrel is not one of them, but that is just a metal cylinder anyway.  Some of the more complicated and essential parts - such as the receiver - can be printed ... not just by this machine, but by any 3D printer that can do ABS.  That's getting scary.

Are you aware of the gas pressures involved during discharge ?? , are you game enough to hold a "receiver" made of 3D printed ABS containing that pressure ?.
And on the face of it a barrel may appear to be just a cylinder but there is also more required balistically speaking.

edit : spelling typo

[Brumby]

Is this how they make parts for guns or is it another method?

There are certain parts of guns that can be made by 3D printing.  The barrel is not one of them, but that is just a metal cylinder anyway.  Some of the more complicated and essential parts - such as the receiver - can be printed ... not just by this machine, but by any 3D printer that can do ABS.  That's getting scary.

Are you aware of the gas pressures involved during discharge ?? , are you game enough to hold a "receiver" made of 3D printed ABS containing that pressure ?.
And on the face of it a barrel may appear to be just a cylinder but there is also more required balsitically speaking.

I made no comment about the safety and longevity of 3D printed parts - nor of the effectiveness of a simple barrel.  The fact is, there are designs out there that could produce a lethal weapon.  Possibly including an unintentional suicide - but still.

[lowimpedance]

Is this how they make parts for guns or is it another method?

There are certain parts of guns that can be made by 3D printing.  The barrel is not one of them, but that is just a metal cylinder anyway.  Some of the more complicated and essential parts - such as the receiver - can be printed ... not just by this machine, but by any 3D printer that can do ABS.  That's getting scary.

Are you aware of the gas pressures involved during discharge ?? , are you game enough to hold a "receiver" made of 3D printed ABS containing that pressure ?.
And on the face of it a barrel may appear to be just a cylinder but there is also more required balsitically speaking.

I made no comment about the safety and longevity of 3D printed parts - nor of the effectiveness of a simple barrel.  The fact is, there are designs out there that could produce a lethal weapon.  Possibly including an unintentional suicide - but still.

There are many other means and ways to produce all sorts of 'lethal weapons', the 3d printed weapon idea has been overblown by the media to the point that when 3d printing is mentioned an inevitable reponse (as seen above)will be ... "oh you can print a gun" usually pops up.
 

[Brumby]

Probably the biggest 'lethal weapon' for anyone interested in such pursuits is - just enough knowledge to do something stupid.

[vk6zgo]

Probably the biggest 'lethal weapon' for anyone interested in such pursuits is - just enough knowledge to do something stupid.

A box of matches in the hands of a "firebug",or a casually discarded cigarette.

Back on topic:-
I'm very dubious about how useful in a direct sense 3D metal printing is.
 
The idea of heating steel dust with a laser doesn't instil a lot of confidence in me,as far as strucftural integrity is concerned.
If you can control something like the "metal spray" devices they used to rebuilt worn out crankcase journals back in the '50s,you might get results similar to cast or forged parts.
Of course,even those required a solid,if worn,metal part to rebuild.