Dec.4, 2012
Cody Wilson, Defense Distributed's spokesman and co-founder, the company behind the project of creating the world's first printable gun, took the popular printable lower out for a test to see how many shots it can last.
To make it clear, a 3D-printed gun means only the lower receiver is 3D printed. The lower receiver holds everything together so according to the Gun Control Act of 1968, it can be regulated as the entire gun itself.
The lower was first developed by Wisconsin-based engineer and hobbyist Michael Guslick (aka HaveBlue) and designed for an AR-15 rifle. The file is available for download over at Thingiverse.
The lower was printed on a Connex 3D printer from Objet in Objet ABS-like material and the print was completed in less than seven hours.
(Images credit: WikiWep)
After completing the build with rest of metal parts, the team was ready for heading out for a test. The result?
The first string of fire was just one round, which was fired without incident. The weapon fired, extracted/ejected/returned to battery, and the fire control properly rested, meaning the geometry of the axis pin holes is accurate. After examining the receiver for damage and finding none, the magazine was loaded with ten more rounds. On the second string of fire, the receiver seemed to fail on the fifth round – but may have actually failed earlier.
Though Wilson was bit surprised at how quick the gun breaks - "I don't think we thought it'd break within six [rounds]. We thought it'd break within 20." But he learned from the experiences and found out what the problems are. " It seems like the off-axis force generated by recoil simply "popped" the whole ring area off the receiver in the area of the receiver tube anti-rotation plate." said Daniel from the team.
(Images credit: WikiWep)
The team decided to modify the lower in SolidWorks, test again and upload the file to Thingiverse. They are going to reinforcing the o-ring but making it slightly thicker to reduce the large flex, reshape, modernize and enhance trigger guard, custom markings, make the bolt release bosses a little bigger for added insurance, and to strengthen the buffer tower.
Wilson team is working hard on the development of 3D printed gun. Though it didn't last for 20 shots, but the first 6 shot was enough to make it a powerful weapon. Whether you like it or not, 3D printing gun is coming close to us - What will happen if anyone could just click mouse and print a gun in just a few hours?
Source: Wired
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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