DIY Portable Railgun With 3D Printable Casing

Someone created portable working railgun that shoots metal and carbon projectiles. The railgun uses 6 300J, 350V, 5500uF capacitors which combined weigh 20lbs and can deliver >1050V and 1.8kJ of energy to the projectile. Most of the structural parts are 3d printed. The gun is huge but it works.

Here is video of it firing (bad word) a small carbon cylinder. The power is simillar to an airgun pellet.




It is an impressive engineering and design project but it doesnt have any real.-world applications :-) Yet.


Full photo gallery with all the parts:

http://imgur.com/a/w4OgF


Reddit thread about it:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/comments/3p2g5k/portable_3dprinted_railgun/

Interview with the creator:

http://makezine.com/2015/10/21/we-talk-to-the-mysterious-maker-of-the-3d-printed-railgun/

Read More

3d printed guns, keys, drones in MIA video (provocation for the sake of it)

This music video by MIA was probably made to be "provocative", and it has all the "bad things to make with 3d printer" cliches like 3d printed guns and key copies.
MIA is commercial artist with "bad girl" and this type of presentation is to be expected. I can already hear some politicians and moralists screaming "3d printing is a danger". No it's not. I don't even think MIAs fan base is even much interested in 3d printing.

On other hand, it would be much more interesting to see young people in poorer countries working this technology. I know some semi-literate young guys living in small rural communities in Croatia who are unemployed or working as field day-laborers building their 3d printers and using bitcoin. THAT is an interesting story.

We need less fear mongering and more knowledge ...

They don't even use real 3d printed models in the videos but plastic toy guns

Read More

Solid Concepts selling metal 3d printed guns for 11900 USD per piece

Remeber the first fully operational metal pistol 3d printed by Solid Concepts?

http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2013/11/worlds-first-3d-printed-metal-gun.html

Now they are selling 100 pieces from limited series for 11900 USD each!
From the source article:

"Solid Concepts, which last month revealed the first fully-functional, metal 3D gun, announced today that they're putting 100 limited-edition models of the 1911 .45 caliber pistol on sale for $11,900 each. Solid Concept demonstrated the gun by initially firing 50 rounds through it. Since then, the company said it has fired nearly 2,000 rounds through the pistol without a single malfunction. Unlike the very first 3D printed gun — the single-shot, plastic Liberator — Solid Concepts says is not trying to promote the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment. Its purpose in printing the firearm was to demonstrate its ability to turn out precision, durable parts that could withstand the massive pressure created by firing a bullet. People who purchase one of the limited-edition guns will also have the chance to tour Solid Concept's Texas facility to see their gun being printed, and to join their lead additive manufacturing engineers on the range for the first test firing of their limited 1911 gun."

Company page:

http://blog.solidconcepts.com/industry-highlights/1911-3d-printed-guns-will-sell-lucky-100/


Source:

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/13/12/20/0219247/company-that-made-the-first-3d-printed-metal-gun-is-selling-them-for-11900

Update:

Solid Concepts 3d printed new full metal working pistol "Reason" in 10mm Auto caliber.

Read More

Comic about regulation of 3d printed guns

Related:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/11/congress-3d-guns-scared-gun-lobby

I don't want to get into gun control politics issues, but I don't see how it would be technically possible to effective implement the prohibition of 3d printed guns.

Source:

http://cartoonpolitics.tumblr.com/post/70223217941/related-congress-fail-to-regulate-ban-3-d

Read More

Worlds first 3d printed metal gun produced by Solid Concepts

First metal 3d printed gun. This will have impact on industry. There will certainly be exaggerated reaction from public and media with some unnecessary fear mongering.
All parts are DMLS printed except few springs and handles. DMLS machines are VERY expensive and guns like this one are probably produced since decades for various black markets by much cheaper low tech CNC machines.





From company press release:

Solid Concepts, a world leader in 3D Printing services, manufactures the world’s first 3D Printed Metal Gun.

Austin, TX – Solid Concepts, one of the world leaders in 3D Printing services, has manufactured the world’s first 3D Printed Metal Gun using a laser sintering process and powdered metals. The gun, a 1911 classic design, functions beautifully and has already handled 50 rounds of successful firing. It is composed of 33 17-4 Stainless Steel and Inconel 625 components, and decked with a Selective Laser Sintered (SLS) carbon-fiber filled nylon hand grip. The successful production and functionality of the 1911 3D Printed metal gun proves the viability of 3D Printing for commercial applications.
“We’re proving this is possible, the technology is at a place now where we can manufacture a gun with 3D Metal Printing,” says Kent Firestone, Vice President of Additive Manufacturing at Solid Concepts. “And we’re doing this legally. In fact, as far as we know, we’re the only 3D Printing Service Provider with a Federal Firearms License (FFL). Now, if a qualifying customer needs a unique gun part in five days, we can deliver.”
The metal laser sintering process Solid Concepts used to manufacture the 30+ gun components is one of the most accurate additive manufacturing processes available, and more than accurate enough to build the interchangeable and interfacing parts within the 1911 series gun. The gun proves the tight tolerances laser sintering can meet. Plus, 3D Printed Metal has less porosity issues than an investment cast part and better complexities than a machined part. The 3D Printed gun barrel sees chamber pressures above 20,000 psi every time it is fired. Solid Concepts chose to build the 1911 because the design is public domain.
“The whole concept of using a laser sintering process to 3D Print a metal gun revolves around proving the reliability, accuracy and usability of metal 3D Printing as functional prototypes and end use products,” says Firestone. “It’s a common misconception that 3D Printing isn’t accurate or strong enough, and we’re working to change people’s perspective.”
The 3D Printed metal gun proves that 3D Printing isn’t just making trinkets and Yoda heads. The gun manufactured by Solid Concepts debunks the idea that 3D Printing isn’t a viable solution or isn’t ready for mainstream manufacturing. With the right materials and a company that knows how to best program and maintain their machines, 3D printing is accurate, powerful and here to stay.

http://www.solidconcepts.com/news-releases/worlds-first-3d-printed-metal-gun-manufactured-solid-concepts/

Source:

http://www.youtube.com/user/solidconcepts?feature=watch


Update:

It was successfully tested with 500 rounds fired without failure.





Update 2 (21/12/2013):

They are selling them for 11900 USD per piece:

http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2013/12/solid-concepts-selling-metal-3d-printed.html

Read More

Second live fire of fully 3d printed rifle

... and this time "The Grizzly" did not brake. Who would have thought. 50 % thicker and rifled barrel, larger receiver and new hammer design ... The Grizzly 2.0




Source:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkNP7-pUvMAJCEYoU5Ak0tA?feature=watch

Update:

He fired 10 more rounds with the same barrel:





Here is the link to the post about first firing where the barrel broke and where it is clear to see that the rifle looks much smaller:

http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2013/07/first-fully-3d-printed-rifle-grizzly.html

Videos were posted within one week from each other.

Update 2:

This time he is hand firing it himself directly

Read More

First fully 3d printed rifle - The Grizzly

Today is a day full with news about 3d printed guns. After article about first commercially available 3d printed metal rifle part I saw this video on Google+ stream. Looks like 3d printed weapons are evolving very fast. Who knows what future will hold ...

From video description:

This is a fully 3D printed rifle I designed. I call it The Grizzly after the Canadian built Sherman Tanks of WWII. It is a single shot .22LR incorporating the coiled mainsprings of the Liberator by Defence Distributed. Like the Liberator the only metal is a 1" roofing nail.
In this first test it fired off a Winchester Dynapoint but the barrel split along both sides for about 2" and the top of the receiver split the same amount.

Via:
http://3dprintsoftheworld.com/object/grizzly-3d-printed-rifle

Read More

First 3d printed commercial metal firearm part

This is getting more serious ...

From company press release:

Sintercore LLC released the first 3D printed metal firearms part for pre-order today. Neal Brace, founder of Sintercore and a former active duty U.S. Marine Corps infantryman, designed the device to help firearm operators more effectively control their rifles and pistols under rapid fire.

The device, named AuxetikTM, represents a significant advance in firearm industry manufacturing. The word AuxetikTM is derived from the Greek word “auxetikos,” which means “that which tends to increase.”Mr. Brace’s invention consists of a fully-dense Inconel muzzle brake created using direct metal laser sintering technology.Sintercore’s HYLT (hybrid linear / transverse) brake technology reduces recoil, eliminates muzzle rise, and minimizes concussion.

This technology is based on 3D printed linear gas vents, a Sintercore innovation, which allows an amount of gas to flow forward from one expansion chamber into the next expansion chamber through channels that could not be easily made in traditionally manufactured cast, machined, or EMD’d part.Sintercore products are sold directly from the manufacturer’s website, at http://www.sintercore.com The AuxetikTM muzzle brake retails at $399.98 and is available at a pre-order price of $299.98.

http://www.sintercore.com/

Source:
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/07/24/commercially-produced-3d-printed-gun-part


Update (26.8.2014.):

Sintercore now writes on the durability of their muzzle brake:

Our T&E examples have currently survived 8200+ rounds of semi- and fully-automatic firing with no performance degradation. The fully-dense, 100% Inconel superalloy construction lends itself to maximum durability for a lifetime of use. This material is as strong as steel and as corrosion resistant as titanium.

Here is the review of 3DX muzzle brake which claims that the piece is holding very well:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/08/26/sintercore-3dx-muzzle-brake/

... and more videos:

Read More

VICE interview with Cody Wilson on 3d printed guns

Great interview with Cody Wilson about his 3d printed guns project, politics, philosophy and future. He looks like a very smart guy. Future will be interesting.

Read More

Video of 3d printed gun magazines

There are government initiatives in USA to prohibit high capacity magazines after school shootings. Defence Distributed demonstrates 3d printed working magazines in real weapons.

Read More

3d printed gun part tested

Guys from WikiWep tested the lower AR-15 rifle receiver printed form Objet ABS-like material. it failed after six rounds.
From video description:

Test firing a printed (ABS-like Objet photopolymer) AR receiver in 5.7x28FN. Lower max PSI than .223, but broke the buffer tube ring within six rounds. We do not recommend printing a lower receiver for a rifle setup until the file can be further reinforced.

More information on:

http://defdist.tumblr.com/post/37023487585/printed-reinforced-ar-lower-review

Read More

3d printed toy dart gun

I'v posted some 3d printed  model weapon parts and model guns, but this is working toy foam dart and rubber band pistol.
Video shows how to assemble it and how it works. Kudos to the author!



Thingiverse link:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7512

Read More