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First metal 3d printed gun. This will have impact on industry. There will certainly be exaggerated reaction from public and media with some unnecessary fear mongering.
All parts are DMLS printed except few springs and handles. DMLS machines are VERY expensive and guns like this one are probably produced since decades for various black markets by much cheaper low tech CNC machines.





From company press release:

Solid Concepts, a world leader in 3D Printing services, manufactures the world’s first 3D Printed Metal Gun.

Austin, TX – Solid Concepts, one of the world leaders in 3D Printing services, has manufactured the world’s first 3D Printed Metal Gun using a laser sintering process and powdered metals. The gun, a 1911 classic design, functions beautifully and has already handled 50 rounds of successful firing. It is composed of 33 17-4 Stainless Steel and Inconel 625 components, and decked with a Selective Laser Sintered (SLS) carbon-fiber filled nylon hand grip. The successful production and functionality of the 1911 3D Printed metal gun proves the viability of 3D Printing for commercial applications.
“We’re proving this is possible, the technology is at a place now where we can manufacture a gun with 3D Metal Printing,” says Kent Firestone, Vice President of Additive Manufacturing at Solid Concepts. “And we’re doing this legally. In fact, as far as we know, we’re the only 3D Printing Service Provider with a Federal Firearms License (FFL). Now, if a qualifying customer needs a unique gun part in five days, we can deliver.”
The metal laser sintering process Solid Concepts used to manufacture the 30+ gun components is one of the most accurate additive manufacturing processes available, and more than accurate enough to build the interchangeable and interfacing parts within the 1911 series gun. The gun proves the tight tolerances laser sintering can meet. Plus, 3D Printed Metal has less porosity issues than an investment cast part and better complexities than a machined part. The 3D Printed gun barrel sees chamber pressures above 20,000 psi every time it is fired. Solid Concepts chose to build the 1911 because the design is public domain.
“The whole concept of using a laser sintering process to 3D Print a metal gun revolves around proving the reliability, accuracy and usability of metal 3D Printing as functional prototypes and end use products,” says Firestone. “It’s a common misconception that 3D Printing isn’t accurate or strong enough, and we’re working to change people’s perspective.”
The 3D Printed metal gun proves that 3D Printing isn’t just making trinkets and Yoda heads. The gun manufactured by Solid Concepts debunks the idea that 3D Printing isn’t a viable solution or isn’t ready for mainstream manufacturing. With the right materials and a company that knows how to best program and maintain their machines, 3D printing is accurate, powerful and here to stay.

http://www.solidconcepts.com/news-releases/worlds-first-3d-printed-metal-gun-manufactured-solid-concepts/

Source:

http://www.youtube.com/user/solidconcepts?feature=watch


Update:

It was successfully tested with 500 rounds fired without failure.





Update 2 (21/12/2013):

They are selling them for 11900 USD per piece:

http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2013/12/solid-concepts-selling-metal-3d-printed.html

Yes, yes ... 3d printing with frozen water. ICE is project by  McGill University (Montreal, Quebec). I am not surprised ice 3d printing is developed in tropical Canada. If this technology would be scaled up it could print building sized structures.

3d printed ice chain

Source:

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/sijpkes/ice/

PDF document with more details on ice 3d printing process, machines and technology:

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/sijpkes/ice/_source/REPARTI_ice_poster.pdf

Here is a perfect example of a small company using 3d printers to make highly specialized and customized products for 3d video and photo recording and viewing. Some of them are add-ons for existing digital recording devices some are new innovative products.

Many new printers are coming from Poland. Mark 34 is low cost 3d printer from Jelwek company.

From company page:

First child of Jelwek company, designed by M. Brodowski. This printer has H-Bot kinematics and it is directed to people who knows something about RepRap but also for the ones who had never worked with 3D printers before. Uncomplicated, simple construction build with two sheets of aluminium connected by threaded rods. That construction guarantees high stiffness and precision.
The printer is very compact. It's external dimensions are: 250 x 250 x 265mm and it's got 140 x 155 x 105mm working area. The electronics got preloaded Marlin

http://jelwek.pl/en/glowna/43--mark34-zestaw-diy.html

The AluhotendV4 is specifically designed for general use high resolution printing with PLA , ABS and NYLON, The nozzle size is 0.3mm and the hotend comes assembled and sealed ready for use at temperatures up to 245 C. It features a PTFE liner for a high degree of reliability. This hot end requires a fan blowing on the heat sink for proper operation.

Package contains:

1 x Aluhotend- 1.75 mm or 3 mm

1 x 100k thermistor (selection 10 in Marlin)

1 x 12v Heater Cartridge

1 x M4 Grubscrew

As 3d printing is growing, many new business are filling market needs. Here is a company that is focused on 3d printing literacy development and open source tools in educational institutions.

http://www.opensourceclassroom.com/



Open Source Classroom from Open Source Classroom on Vimeo.

3D printers could prove to be one of the most versatile tools that educators have to engage their students in unique and innovative projects. The rapid growth of 3D printers is a result of the open source movement, an online community of people actively sharing ideas about DIY projects in a variety of disciplines. Having a 3D printer enables someone to take their idea from concept to manufacturing with incredible precision right at their desktop.

Professor Dave Kennel first introduced me to 3D printers about three years ago. Since then, we both have utilized open source machines to create dozens of projects. Last January, Dr. Merrill, the STEM education graduate coordinator, asked Dave and I to help administer 3D printing workshops for a diverse group of teachers. The workshops were such a success that Dave and I decided to form Open Source Classroom.

Open Source Classroom is a company that specializes in training teachers about open source technologies. We accomplish this through a variety of professional development workshops including 3D printers, Arduino programming, and 3D modeling. This is a valuable service for educators because we are providing them with the tools to create new and exciting educational activities that engage their students in complex technical subjects.

In addition to our ongoing workshops, Open Source Classroom has built and published a company webpage to showcase our services in addition to our active social media presence. We have engaged in a number of online technology and educational groups to connect with our target market. After meeting with local school teachers and administrators we have already scheduled several professional development workshops.

During the planning stages of our business, Professor Kennell and I developed the 3D literacy concept to structure the components teachers need to bring these technologies into their classrooms. I have also attended several technology education conferences speaking on behalf of the business with very high interest from schools all over the state. We have tested our workshops with both students and teachers and found that even a 5th grader can build 3D printers.

As technology continues to advance, schools around the world are going to need professional development workshops to stay current. Open Source Classroom has the potential to grow beyond the educational system and open locations to provide similar services to the public. As the open source community continues to advance technology, educational institutions are struggling to find new methods to engage their students. Open Source Classroom is committed to providing teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to incorporate open source technologies into their classrooms.

When you combine the elements of 3D Literacy with creativity, the result is innovation.

Another homemade 3d printing metal extruder in beta version ....




Source:

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgNuuDCuO6RZsghYVnQ9rzA?feature=watch