3D printint is quite real:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/579913_3D_printed_lower___yes__it_works_.html

Just Google "HaveBlue 3D" for more details.

John AE5X

 

Julian,

See current issue of CQ Magazine pp66-70 for an article on 3D printing focused on the ham radio community.

73,

Peter,
VE3LTI
 

Julian, 3D printing is not only real but it's been around in hobbyist markets for awhile now. I'm thinking I've read stuff about it as far back as 2006 at least. Follow blog.makezine.com and www.hackaday.com Both sites dedicated to diy electronics and very much in the spirit of Ham Radio. Makezine sells a MakerBot 3d printer. There are also completely DIY versions such as the reprap. Those work by extruding plastic through a heated nozzle onto a platform. The nozzle is usually moved on the xy axis and the platform is moved on the z axis. The other main type of 3d printing is resin based. I think there's a DIY version of that too. The resin is expensive but you get a pool of it. Then I think you use a DLP projector to expose it to light in patterns which causes some resin to harden. Then you lower a platform so a new layer can form on the top of the existing one. This method can be high enough resolution to 3d print records: http://hackaday.com/2012/12/21/3d-printing-records/