TexasCHLforum.com

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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Solid Concepts

Solid Concepts provides rapid prototyping and custom manufacturing services, with capabilities in PolyJet, Stereolithography (SLA), 3D Color Prints, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), 3D Metal Printing, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), CNC models and patterns, Composites, and QuantumCast™ advanced cast urethanes. Capabilities in tooling and injection molding make Solid Concepts a single source for product development and production efforts from conception to market. Visit http://www.solidconcepts.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to find your solution.

tboesche wrote:I watched teh vidoe. It looked like the slide had problems a couple times moving back into battery

texanjoker wrote:There was a recent article about a UT grad or student that made a plastic gun in this manner.

flechero wrote:

tboesche wrote:I watched teh vidoe. It looked like the slide had problems a couple times moving back into battery

True, but considering there probably wasn't any "fitting" done during assembly, I think it did great! (even the cheaper factory guns are not assembled right out of the parts box)

OldCannon wrote:DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) is a slow process, but it's great for prototyping. This process is nothing like Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) (or Fused Filament Fabrication), which is what the "plastic" 3D printers use.

WildBill wrote:

OldCannon wrote:DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) is a slow process, but it's great for prototyping. This process is nothing like Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) (or Fused Filament Fabrication), which is what the "plastic" 3D printers use.

I never got to see it firsthand, but from the description, I think the process for the Taurus prototype was actually stereolithography. I remember that I was told that it was a UV cure, not a laser. I did see the prototype part and it was very very crude. Back then, I don't think that they called it "3D Printing".

xb12s wrote:We did some work with Stereo Lithography (various types) in Waco at what is now L3 about 15 years ago (it was Raytheon and Chrysler Technologies back then). Basically it's an aircraft modification facility. Pretty cool stuff. I would make 3D models in Pro-E and send them to the 3D lab for printing on the stereo lithography machine. Some of those models would be used in show and tells with the clients (some full scale mockups) to show aircraft interiors.

Two of the other engineers at the time were doing research on other 3D printing technologies at the time. It was fascinating stuff. Some were using resins, some using paper (in 3D). I think it's pretty neat that they can produce metal now.

WildBill wrote: Thanks for jogging my memory. We used Pro-E software for our 3D models. This was back before the Windows version and we had to buy a Sun Workstation [around $60K as I recall] to run the software.