The future creeps in on tiny cat feet when you are looking at other things....

[Myriads]

http://www.popsci.com.au/technology/a-working-assault-rifle-made-with-a-3d-printer

It amuses. And not needfully because what was printed here. But the whole concept working.

Myriads

 

[Gothika]

wow i dont know what to say lol

 

[milagros317]

scary 😱

 

[Capnmad]

scary 😱

You mean "scary cool", right? This is the conservative wet dream, after all: Firearms on demand, without any regulation. Of course, the NRA will get a bit touchy because of the potential for piracy once his catches on, which endangers the financial interests of those it represents... ...but yay guns!

 

[fireguardian]

That's just crazy and unsettling. Insta-Gun! Latest fad hitting the nation. Hate those pesky background checks? Don't quite make the cut? Never fear Insta-Gun is here! All you need is a printer and bullets.

 

[Gothika]

im all for guns but i still dont know what to think here lol

 

[kopfhorer]

I forget which comedian said that bullets should cost US$5,000 apiece...

 

[drewskee]

I forget which comedian said that bullets should cost US$5,000 apiece...

I believe that was Chris Rock.

 

[jhop220]

Um...ok....

Mixed feelings of whether this can really be true and HOLY SHIT if it is true.

 

[DontAskJusTckle]

scary 😱

Very scary, indeed.

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this 3D printing concept. To construct a 3-dimensional device from a file of data. Does this put us one step closer to matter transport, like on Star Trek?

 

[jhop220]

Very scary, indeed.

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this 3D printing concept. To construct a 3-dimensional device from a file of data. Does this put us one step closer to matter transport, like on Star Trek?

I agree....and if they can do this...WHERE IS MY FLYING CAR ALREADY!!?!?!

 

[kopfhorer]

Very scary, indeed.

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this 3D printing concept. To construct a 3-dimensional device from a file of data. Does this put us one step closer to matter transport, like on Star Trek?

Actually, it's more like the replicator ("Let's see, shall I print myself some steaks tonight?").

 

[Myriads]

3d printing works thusly:

You have a model of the item in 3D in the systems memory.

The printer then uses a plastic feedstock to print layers of material onto a ready location based on a computer generated cross section analysis of the design in memory. Basically like and MRI cuts a persons body into hundreds of segments and displays them, the printer, lays down material layer by layer each being defined by a slice of the plan in memory.

Eventually a 3D object is printed layer by layer.

Right now the printers are expensive. As in what a CD burner cost circa 1989. But they will come down. Feed stock is getting better also, with more plastic types being introduced, including ones that have metals infused in them.

Basically these machines are 3D Xerox machines, once you have a scan of a item.

Myriads