100x faster, 10x cheaper: 3D metal printing

turkeydance

turkeydance

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When 3D printing first hit the scene, we were talking about how this is the beginning of the end of gun control. If the metal printing design mentioned in the article goes mainstream, that will be a huge step forward.

Think there are a lot of AR manufacturers around now? Wait until anyone with this kind of equipment can print guns.
 
drypowder said:
When 3D printing first hit the scene, we were talking about how this is the beginning of the end of gun control. If the metal printing design mentioned in the article goes mainstream, that will be a huge step forward.

Think there are a lot of AR manufacturers around now? Wait until anyone with this kind of equipment can print guns.
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Not sure it will change anything. When the cost comes down to where homeowners can purchase a machine the industry MIGHT change.

You can get a ar15 lower for $30 now.

You see how those ghost machines are everywhere right now don't you.. or not...
 
Unknownpro said:
Not sure it will change anything. When the cost comes down to where homeowners can purchase a machine the industry MIGHT change.

You can get a ar15 lower for $30 now.

You see how those ghost machines are everywhere right now don't you.. or not...
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Doesn't have to be consumer cheap. Just business cheap. Think about how much equipment a company like S&W uses to manufacture the metal components of their firearms. If a business can invest a fraction of that cost and turn out complete guns or just parts, that will impact the market.

On the consumer end, the Ghost Gunner is a very limited use product. It prints ONLY lowers. How many lowers does an individual want? When comparing the price of lowers to the Ghost Gunner, it's easy to see why the average gun owner isn't keen on buying a Ghost Gunner.
 
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Let me ask you a question. If you cracked your 1911 or Glock slide would you have it welded and sanded then colored and go back to shooting or would you have it replaced?

Because this process is welding the entire slide not just the crack!!

The metal has to be liquid to shape it. Then harden enough to form the next layer.

We in the electronic industry call that a cold joint.

Just saying.... don't forget about all the extra processes it will take to harden that material back up and clean up the finish..

The current industry has refined the process. It won't be cheap to figure it out and prevent getting sued over someone getting injured.
 
It would be awesome to own this machine, but not sure it will hit the gun market that hard.
 
Some big investors in this company
Founded by the guy who started A123, they did a lot of work on e-bikes, specifically an electric dragbike

I see they are private, it'd be a company I'd be interested in buying stock in but oh well.
 
A123 Lithium, ended up BK and China company purchased the assets and intellectual property.
In early October 2012, the A123 Systems' stock was trading for 27 cents per share, down from a 52-week high of $4.44 per share about a year beforehand
 
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Unknownpro said:
Well it won't do titanium so I am not interested.
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"The metals arrive in rod form, bound to a polymer binding agent and shipped in cartridges. But there's a ton of metal options – basically anything you can use in a Metal Injection Molding (MIM) system. That includes 4140 chromoly steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, a range of stainless steels, Hiperco 50 magnetic, titanium, and more than 200 other alloys."
 
RetiredUSNChief said:
"The metals arrive in rod form, bound to a polymer binding agent and shipped in cartridges. But there's a ton of metal options – basically anything you can use in a Metal Injection Molding (MIM) system. That includes 4140 chromoly steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, a range of stainless steels, Hiperco 50 magnetic, titanium, and more than 200 other alloys."
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I don't care what they say. It says 1400C that's less than titanium's melting point.!!
 
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