Jan 5, 2015 | By Alec
Are you prepared for the end of the world? For the inevitable hordes of zombies that will overrun our planet? Well, if you happen to have a 3D printer at home, you have the tools to prepare yourself and build the ultimate weapon for fending off hungry zombies: a Flamethrower!
No, this isn’t another episode of Doomsday Preppers, though we are talking about a much more affordable way to prepare yourself for any eventuality. For instead of spending hundreds (or even thousands) on survival equipment, Ivan Owen has shown us that you can simply use your desktop 3D printer to create most of the parts you need to build a weapon. Just check out the very cool video below.
If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Ivan Owen has dabbled with 3D printing before (and in much more peaceful ways). He is a special effects artist based in Bellingham, Washington. Born in a small town in Alaska and raised in Redmond, he is a life-long resident of the Pacific Northwest. He operates MechMadness Designs, a costume and special effects company that creates a wide range of art, including post-apocalyptic pieces like this weaponry. However, he has also worked on far more humanist projects, including custom-made 3D printed prosthetics for children.
But as the maniacal laughing illustrates, there’s a darker side to him too. Ivan has built his flamethrower, which he has affectionately dubbed ‘The Conflagulator’, from a battery-powered leaf-blower, a cooking hopper, a propane torch and a series of 3D printed parts that hold everything together. To fuel his deadly machine, he simply uses corn starch – a staple of every pantry, but like other dried powders like creamer or flour, very flammable. This simply sifts down into the propane/leaf blower combo and releases a gust of flames.
And of course, he tests this with great results on a series of paper zombies though we’d wish he didn’t do that in a dry, wooded area where fires are commonplace. Still, the Beethoven soundtrack gives it all a poetic beauty. While a very impressive and inventive 3D printed creation, it’s probably good news that Owen hasn’t shared his designs on Thingiverse or another webpage. Who knows what damage dangerous designs like that could do?
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
Maybe you also like:
- Japanese artist looking to collaborate with companies to realize his 'Contemporary Buddhism' project
- Recent developments in 3D printed plastic electronics showing promise
- Scientists use stem cells in 3D printed scaffolds to help repair injured joints
- BioScope 3D printed bandage is a 'smart band-aid' for monitoring patient health
- Use Autodesk 123D Design to create a 3D printed night light
- 3D printing helps arduino developer create open source Ö bluetooth smart ring
- 3D printed white chocolate comes to life in 'Hello Play' new conceptual stop-motion film
And yes, absolutely won't be sharing the STL files or plans for this thing anywhere :)
Ivan Owen wrote at 1/16/2015 1:06:30 AM:
Thanks for the wonderful article. I didn't think things through and forgot to mention a key detail when I made this video. It's far more safe than it appears: I filmed this here in our home region of the Pacific Northwest, in winter, after several days of heavy rain. The vegetation I was standing on was very wet and, due to a foggy morning, the air was so moist that it made the paper targets harder to set on fire. I purposefully waited for these conditions to occur before testing the device in order to eliminate any possibility of fire. The reason for doing it in that spot - the person who allowed me to test on their property wanted me as far away from any building as possible! :D (a wise and reasonable request).
Hendrik wrote at 1/5/2015 10:35:52 PM:
Ivan for prepper of the year! Love the vid!
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
