Game changer: Will 3D printing decimate multi-nationals?

[rick_day]

Manufacturing functioning firearms from 20th Century 3D-printer technology.

A member from the gun forum AR15 thinks he may have created and successfully tested the first 3D printed firearm. He used a Stratasys 3D printer from the mid-90s to create a .22 pistol. He claims to have fired over 200 rounds from the 3D printed marvel and it still works

Comments

[meus_ovatio]

Misleading. They made the plastic lower-receiver parts with a "3D printer". The actual metal parts were still machined... though "3D printing" is just fancy bullshit marketing talk for "manufacturing" anyways. It's the same thing. It isn't revolutionary. You can tell, because they're talking about it on the internet, where non-revolutionary things are talked about.

[rick_day]

Try to think 'beyond the gun' on this post. The gun is not the subject, it's just the eye candy.

[meus_ovatio]

Try to think beyond "3D printing" on this post. It's just a hyped-up term for making things. The equivalent of a home chemistry set. Think of the possibilities home chemistry sets will bring to science! A democratization of knowledge! An astounding new era of freedom and thought!

I was going to edit to add...

[rick_day]

ETA: And it is still an applicable application. machined metal parts like barrels do not wear out like the lower receiver assemblies. Hybrids are quite the reality here, not a total replacement. Machining is best done locally when possible.

I can still see this having the impact I postulate. Plus: plastic bullets for plastic barrels?

"Manufacturing" is a hyped up word for making things too. Your point, beside splitting staw hair for no reason other than to be contrary?

Chemistry set? You have no idea what those things did to inspire inventors to enter the field. Be that as it may, it's not an accurate comparison in my opinon.

Be well. You are going to have to find someone else to get your final red flag on.

[fizzyland]

The helicopter gunships still win - return to your Y2K bunker and await further orders.

[rick_day]

Are you dismissing this as conspiracy theory?

Do tell.

[fizzyland]

Multi-nationals will always have scale of economy on their sides. Previously I've read arguments that suggest 3d printing machines represent the cutting edge of an insurgency making their machine guns at home. Sure, and making LSD or meth is just as easy as a Duncan Hines cake mix.

I think it will be handy for tinkerers and people like gunsmiths who know what they're doing. I don't really see Terminator V: Rise of the Machine Shops resulting from this.

[rick_day]

I don't really see Terminator V: Rise of the Machine Shops resulting from this.

Nor do I. What I do see is the ability for 'cloud manufacturing', centralizing outsourcing needs on a smaller scale and reduced cost. HVAC, piping, vehicle manufacturing, industrialized micro farming, and lots and lots of jobs.

It's just a matter of time before the technology allows these shifts in scale. To deny that inevitable destination is rather short sighted, in my opinion.

I can host an event for 100 people for $3.50 per person cost. A Vegas hotel can do it for $33.50 per person cost. IN both examples it's all about scale and simplicity.

[kylinrouge]

3D printing has been around for a while. It's a toy.

today's toy is tomorrows paradigm

[rick_day]

Think...forward.

[kylinrouge]

Actually, toys are yesterday's paradigm. If it actually had predictive value it was already disseminated at the top level a long time ago.

[the_rukh]

I think you're being a bit too sensationalist on this. This isn't going to be the world changing thing you are describing here, at least not the way you are describing. The biggest reason is that most things you want to make need many types of materials. If you have access to that, well you basically already have a manufacturing plant. People have been making manufacturing plants for a long time.

he said it best

[rick_day]

http://talk-politics.livejournal.com/1514095.html?thread=122004335#t122004335

You may call it sensationalizing. I call it Dreaming Big Dreams™

[the_rukh]

He's a good talker.

I don't mean to poop on your dreams, I think this will be a thing, just not in the way you're describing.

Remember the microwave. The microwave changed society in big ways. One thing it did not do was let us make all the things we were making in it. Most things would turn out terrible. What it did though was change what we made.

If these printers ever do get popular (need to be a lot faster and a lot more stupid proof), what will change is what we make. We will make things that are designed with mono substance in mind.

Also, they've been playing with the idea forever. I remember at least the 90's the Navy was talking about fitting these things in a more industrial fashion for metal, and using it as a spare parts backup. You don't have to keep ten thousand types of bolt on hand if you can make one when you need it.

[rick_day]

Also, they've been playing with the idea forever. I remember at least the 90's the Navy was talking about fitting these things in a more industrial fashion for metal, and using it as a spare parts backup. You don't have to keep ten thousand types of bolt on hand if you can make one when you need it.

hmmm...now WHO would be motivated to kill or delay such programs?

Let me count them...

Now this crosses into Bat Country.

[peristaltor]

I think I see where you're going with this. It's like the advent of digital photography in the very early '80s. I remember my photo teacher saying it would mean the end of film. It took 30 years.

I do agree that 3D printing is too primitive now, but combine it with home CNG machining and other robotic toyage and yes, I can see the rise-or rather the resurgence-of the cottage industry.

[rick_day]

Thanks for the analogy of film to digital. I was struggling with analogy's that I knew was out there. I'll ETA with this.