3D printed magazines

[3Coyotes]

My wife came across this article. First, just the concept of being able to manufacture anything using wizardly printing technology astounds and befuddles me. The second is that before it really gets off the ground it may be legislated into oblivion. Beam me up, Scotty or I'd like some Earl Grey tea, 180 degrees Fahrenheit with a twist of lemon. 8)

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/futureoftech/us-representative-calls-outlawing-3-d-printed-gun-magazines-1B8035746

 

[Verticoli]

That's amazing. Seems like it wouldn't be cost effective. Maybe one day.

 

[Tarheel]

...that truly is astounding, 3C. I've heard of it, but haven't actually seen the machine at work doing its thing. Guess I won't be carving my guns outta wood anymore.

Thx for the link. Very interesting.

Tarheel

 

[SkipD]

I've seen machines that would make solid parts in a liquid bath by "drawing" on the top surface of the liquid with a laser, lowering the new hard layer a little and "drawing" another layer on top of the first. This is somewhat old technology (a bit more than ten years if I recall correctly). The system allowed a 3D AutoCAD drawing to be converted into a solid part so that it could be fitted with other parts in a system as a design trial. The parts made this way were fragile but they made a shaped object that the engineers could hold in their hands.

The problem I envision with the firearms magazines and the supposed invisibility in an airport inspection is the need for a metallic spring and the metallic ammunition that would be held in it.

 

[3Coyotes]

I've seen some very serious 3D, 360 degree modelling programs... like Solid Edge. I'm kind off curious what the printing "toner" consists of to allow it to withstand the rigors of being used in an AR15. Fascinating.