3D printing and gun parts

[Irving]

Isn't a 3D printer the same as a mold when it boils down to it?

[BuffCyclist]

Isn't a 3D printer the same as a mold when it boils down to it?

I guess it'd be more of a digital mold, in that there isn't a physical mold but the program tells the motors to stop placing plastic/metal/food/etc at a specific spot and move to the next layer.

I think the really cool part is the 3D scanning THEN printing. Saw a video on that where they scanned a crescent wrench, then printed it, in full, in one step and it was able to be used.

Again, its the technology necessary for long term space voyages. Not to mention, third world countries. Forget to tie a tether to your only crescent wrench in space and it floats away. Not a big deal if Houston can email you the 3D printer file and bam, you're only set back a few hours.

[skullybones]

Isn't a 3D printer the same as a mold when it boils down to it?

No, it is called metal sintering. Essentially a laser combining powdered metal. It has been around for quite a while, but is very expensive equipment (as circuits noted). If you own any knives with CPM S##V blades, they are metal sintered.

[skullybones]

Also of note. The guys jerking off to this technology dream of it being implemented in most households. A customer would purchase the file, which in turn prints the part purchased. With file sharing I don't see how it would be practical. Not to mention the start up costs. But again, this is the futuristic view they have.