These machines are not prototypes, I have been having parts made for over 15 years now. They cannot produce parts and pieces to make then economically competitive on any market. I understand the situation in what Schmuckie is trying to do buy making a law against these 3D printed, but it is really much to do about nothing when it comes to the economic reality production manufacturing.
I can go out and buy a used CNC machine for far less that what it takes to buy a 3D printer with the capability to print a gun that can be fired more than a handful of times. As I have the 3D parametric files, I can mass produce them far faster and capable of firing far more rounds than any 3D printer on the market.
I think we agree. My reference to the prototype was about the product the 3D machine produced (parts that were assembled to produce a functioning gun).
The technology is not yet there for Johnny Homeowner to just download a file, print and assemble his own personal protection hand gun for the cost of a printer and some plastic resin. I expect that is a very long way off.
I do not know much about the 3D printing technology except that it has been around for a while. I thought it was mostly used to produce prototypes and one off components. If history is any indication of the future of technologies, 3D printers may be a house hold appliance in 50 to 100 years. Need a new shovel head, print it out. Spatula for the grill? Some plates and cups? A lug nut?
The sci-fi geeks imagined “replicators”. Are we that far off?