Solid Concepts Manufactures First 3D-Printed Metal Pistol 333
Zothecula writes "In a prime example of past meets future, a Texas-based company has used a century-old classic firearm as the blueprint for the world's first 3D-printed metal gun. Solid Concepts' use of a laser sintering method to create a fully functional Model 1911 automatic pistol is the latest demonstration of the potential of 3D printing techniques in industrial processing. The company's 'The gun proves laser sintering can meet tight tolerances. 3D Metal Printing has less porosity issues than an investment cast part and better complexities than a machined part. The barrel sees chamber pressure above 20,000 psi every time the gun is fired.'"
Because plastic is for pansies (Score:3, Funny)
This is excellent news! I know I wouldn't use some questionable hunk of plastic. I'd much rather have metal arms and high capacity magazines for ensuring the cessation of threats to myself, my family, and my property.
Re:Good enough for rocket engines (Score:5, Funny)
Do you have any IDEA how many people would just shit themselves at your suggestion that a Sacred and Precious, Immaculately Concieved 1911 (insert heavenly choir ahhh-ahhhhhh) contain <bleeech> plastic parts?????
I want you to go to your room and THINK about what you have done.
Re:Space/Propulsion applications (Score:5, Funny)
You talk about designing new launch vehicle engines and then you say the sky's the limit.
Your rockets are in a lot of trouble, sir.
Re:What would you recommend? (Score:5, Funny)
What would you recommend someone use to protect their family from guns?
Stand very still. Most guns have very limited sensory capability and cannot accurately locate something that isn't moving. If you don't startle them, or try to corner them, they are usually quite passive. Some will even allow you to pet them if you make soothing vocal noises as you slowly approach.
But don't ever get between a gun and its cub. A mother gun is very very aggressive.
And don't open the car window to feed them. That just encourages them to break into cars.
I almost had my first real auto accident the other day. I was driving while listening to NPR. They had a story about the increase in bears breaking into cars at national parks. The bears knew there was food inside, and they had learned how to open the doors by watching people do it. Very smart. They'd go in, the door would close behind them, and they'd be trapped. (They don't see how people open them from inside, I guess.) They tear the inside up trying to get out. The warning was, if you approach your car and it is rocking back and forth, it may have a bear trapped inside. They interviewed the expert -- how do you get the bear out of your car? Well, she said, you walk over to the car and ... open the door.
Thank god we have experts in these things to tell us what to do.