On the same exact day that Cody Wilson of Defense Distributed got a notice from the State Department about ripping his 3D printing handgun schematics from the web, the U.S. Government launched a $200 million initiative , $30 million of which went to Defense Department’s “additive manufacturing” pilot program. Additive manufacturing is another way of saying 3D printing; and i t’s unlikely the DoD is going to be printing off a bunch of tables and chairs.
Rep. Diane Feinstein has gone a long way to draw the ire of military members and gun owners alike. How can a anyone who admitted to having a concealed carry permit seek to ban weapons
An internet project aimed at producing defense weapons using 3D printing techniques claims to have created a completely plastic lower for an AR-15 . Defense Distributed also say they have test fired it successfully, shooting a full 600 rounds through the weapon with no issues. It’s a major breakthrough for Defense Distributed — the last time they tested a lower receiver it failed after only six rounds.
Recent reports indicate that the US military is developing its own range of 3D printers, designed to enable soldiers on the front line to quickly and cheaply produce space parts for their equipment. By bringing this emerging technology to the battlefield spare parts and sensitive equipment for devices such as GPS receivers and air drones can be produced onsite rather than waiting on parts from overseas
Recent reports indicate that the US military is developing its own range of 3D printers, designed to enable soldiers on the front line to quickly and cheaply produce space parts for their equipment.
In Afghanistan the US Army has deployed the first of several USD$2.8M mobile prototyping labs. These container-sized labs house 3D printers and CNC machines capable of rapidly producing spare or replacement parts that would otherwise take months to order and be delivered using conventional approaches.
Artificial body parts created by 3D printers could someday replace the less realistic dummies and human cadavers used in military medical training. CREDIT: U.S. Department of Defense | Fred W
NY Daily News has a great profile today about an Iraqi War veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and New York City College of Technology Class of 2012 Valedictorian. Let’s add one more to the list: MakerBot aficionado. Richard Fisher will graduate on June 4th with the honor mentioned above, but his path to that degree wasn’t so direct.

