3D Printer Lower

[smogcity]

It could get hard to ban guns if we can just print new ones

http://haveblue.org/?p=1041

That's just flipping amazing..

I can't wait until I see "calguns 3D printer build party" threads..

[NorCalDustin]

A friend of mine is thinking about buying one that does ABS... It would be neat to try to print a lower...

[Kappy]

A friend of mine is thinking about buying one that does ABS... It would be neat to try to print a lower...

Neat? It would be friggin' awesome. Of course... I have no idea how much it would cost on ABS...

[wash]

It can be done and DIY 3D printers are already a reality.

The problem is that the plastic isn't terribly strong and once you've got a lower, there are still many hard to make parts that are needed to make a functional AR.

I rather like the idea of a cargo container full of 80% forgings, LPKS, complete uppers, magazines, a pallet of ammo and a small CNC milling machine...

[Ubermcoupe]

Well shoot, we’ll always be able to get cutting boards right?

http://www.weaponeer.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8035&PN=1&TPN=3

[HowardW56]

http://www.weaponeer.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8035&PN=1&TPN=3

I don't want to be around when someone attempts firing a home brew like that....

[Flying Bones]

That lower is awesome. Somebody go buy a 3d printer.

[Meplat1]

I'll believe it whin I see it.

[mud99]

I have one, a "RepRap Prusa Mendel". It's not as amazing as the internet would lead you to believe. It is very hard to get consistent prints, and the printed parts are very brittle, and require a lot of finish work.

If anyone wants to try it let me know. It would take probably 12 hours to print something the size of an AR lower.

[Shrubmaster]

Finally a reason to buy AR stuff!

[Dark Sky Solutions]

I don't want to be around when someone attempts firing a home brew like that....

He all ready test fired it and posted a video of it. It might be home brew but some know what they are doing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[saki302]

The lower actually sees very little stress- the brunt of the recoil force is taken by the upper and the bolt head. The upper even holds the bolt carrier, and recoils straight back into the buttstock.

Even the flimsiest 3D printed lower would probably work fine for at least a few dozen rounds, and have a non-spectacular failure.

THey did an AK test with toothpicks instead of rivets holding the receiver together- it worked for a couple rounds.

-Dave

[dchang0]

3D printing has already progressed to titanium, steel, and stainless steel, as well as aluminum.

The very best 3D printers are producing hip joint replacements meant for long use and hard wear. When the price of such quality comes down to garage tinkerer level, there will be an explosion in homemade lowers.

[DarkSoul]

Laser sintering is the next big step. This is similar to the current 3d printing, but uses a laser to melt together layers of metal dust into the shape desired. I have seen several models or working cresent wrenches and such that are ready to use out of the "printer".

You can go to services like Ponoko to have your models printed out of a variety of materials, including stainless/bronze (a different type of metal printing). I am basically a mechanical designer/engineer, and I have a lot of parts printed for prototype use, mainly to test fit assemblies to make sure that my numbers are all correct, and I have my own AR lower sitting on my desk right now.

I have been told from people in this industry that the laser sintering is pretty much a solid process now, its really just refining the materials to usable and reliable alloys, when this is done, and the resolution of the laser sintering machines is down to +\- .002 , it will spark a whole new era of design engineering that will blow everyone's mind. Imagine walking into a hardware store that has almost no inventory in regards to tools, you just tell them you need a framing hammer, they just print it. Need some custom length set of needle nose pliers, just print it, and this isn't scifi, this is reality, it's only time before these items are relatively affordable.

[12voltguy]

I'll believe it whin I see it.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=8982276#post8982276