this post was submitted on 16 Sep 2025
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Hardware
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I can see where the is going. In the future sanding your 3d part will be tantamount to removing the serial number on a gun.
I assume they add a custom wiggle to the print head so the "serial" is embedded into the plastic everywhere inside and out.
Exactly. So if that wiggle gets sanded off you have effectively anonymized your part
The wiggle isn't only on the surface. I'd bet it is everywhere except for the surface or users would complain about defects. So if you sand the surface, the forensics slices it in half and reads the wiggle that is embedded everywhere inside.
Ha. I'll bet you're 100% correct.
When the wiggle is inside the part the part will be gone after sanding it off.
If the 3D part was used to make a gun, isn't this a fair approach?
Why should I be prevented from manufacturing my own firearms? Gunsmithing is a perfectly legal hobby and I don't understand why new technology needs to change the laws. Just continue enforcing the manufacture of and sale of illegal weapons. My 20g shotgun had a little plastic bit crumble in the hard grip, should it have been illegal for me to 3d print it's replacement because it was involved in the manufacturing of a firearm?
Not all countries allow open ownership of weaponry. Most don't allow this kind of stuff.
I am most definitely opposed to randoms making modifications to their weapons even if they have licensing to own a firearms.
What is a modification? Is a new grip a mod? Putting on a rail to add other stuff, like flashlights?
Anything of relevance to the "class" of your gun. If you really need it, you can file the right documentation. I am assuming flashlights are not relevant.
How does your 3D printer know that the object it's printing is meant be part of a gun?
The 3D printer doesn't need this information.
Ok, which part would know it is a part for a gun? And how would it know that? If the file name contains the word „gun“?
No, you could add serial numbers to each part or something similar.
Every single 3d printed part that is ever produced? Who should add the serial number? Are steel pipes from the hardware store also serialized?