3D printers?

[Oli.Hanks]

Now here is an interesting one would it be possible and cost effective to 3d print your own gear and rounds and accessories obviously we have people like brainexploder (YouTube him) who has made a business out of printing and selling accessories for airsoft.

Now tell me what would you print and what do you think about the point above?

(Also try to keep it civil and save it for the field)

Cheers oli.

 

[Megil]

3D printing is really only cost effective for custom and short run items. Hence it's unlikely to be worth printing your own rounds, but if you need a custom attachment or modification then go for it.

Otherwise mass production techniques are still far more cost effective than 3D printing.

 

[Oli.Hanks]

What would you print if anything?

 

[SeniorSpaz87]

Already a thread: http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/index.php/topic/28993-what-have-you-just-3d-printed-for-airsoft/

 

[PT247]

BrainExploder doesn't print stuff, he uses Shapeways to do that.

You'd not make enough money with just airsoft stuff.

Unless you can print at a very high dpi then items will look very rough around the edges.

Do a search on here, there is a thread about what people hve already 3D printed.

I have had hop units made, gas blow back bolts made, and rails for a pistol made.

 

[Samurai]

3d printing has it's own limitations. Home 3d printing is fun, but very few actual usable airsoft gear can be printed. When you need one custom thing that's where it shines, but almost anything you can buy in stores is better to buy in stores.

People ask if we can make x product that could be bought, but is expensive. 3d modelling skills worth a lot of money. If you make thousands of a product you distribute that cost to all of them. If you only print one, that single one's price must cover everything.

Yes, I could model a magpul stock and probably print it in an ok quality in a few tries, but it would cost a few hundred quids.

But if you need a spacer that is "round on one side and square on the other with x dimensions" then 3d printing can get you that much cheaper than other manufacturing processes.

 

[AvidAirsofter776]

I have previously taken a serious look into 3d printing (before I started airsoft) and I think it really depends on what type of 3d printing you use. For example, the most common (desktop 3d printer) FDM printer might be useful for foregrips and aesthetic accessories. However, SLS printers (The ones Shapeways use that create really smooth prints) could be used for almost anything, from ironsights and foregrips to stocks and even replacement battery caps for your sight.

 

[SeniorSpaz87]

At my uni we have everything. And for us CAD students we get free access to everything

 

[Oli.Hanks]

Ah cool so those of you that have access have you or what would you print?

 

[SeniorSpaz87]

Ah cool so those of you that have access have you or what would you print?

Again - already a thread:

http://www.airsoft-f...ed-for-airsoft/

 

[Oli.Hanks]

Again - already a thread:

http://www.airsoft-f...ed-for-airsoft/

Ah right sorry didn't see that