Since we've started talking about Open Source projects that can be used for the airsoft market, here is another one --- a 3D Metal Printer. It's not yet commercially viable since it's still a university project. But this makes me excited, for airsoft and for any emergency fixes where metal parts are needed quickly. The 3D Metal Printer can provide more quick real world solutions as compared to existing 3D Printers which presently use plastic.

We have previously written about the benefits of 3D printing for rapid prototyping of airsoft products and for instant creation of plastic parts needed for airsoft guns and even tactical accessories. But I've been really looking forward to a 3D Metal Printer since many airsoft guns require metal parts and sometimes some parts are hard to come by that a 3D Metal Printer would be such a handy tool for any airsoft shop or serious airsoft gunsmith (or any repair shop that works on metal).

The project, made by students from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands, takes inspiration from the 3D Metal Printer Project by students from Michigan Tech. The TU Delft Project is more based on the Prusa 3D Printer, feeding spools of wire to a welder which is then laid down layer by layer.

The 3D Metal Printer is still slow one as compared to existing 3D Plastic Printers. But the good thing about the 3D Metal Printer project is that it is an open source one. You can download the source code and other library files for you to make your own 3D Metal Printer by looking at the BOM here. You can improve further on this project, perhaps making it faster and more energy efficient. With other 3D printing enthusiasts, they can collaborate on making a more commercially viable 3D Metal Printer or a much more improved "Build Your Own 3D Metal Printer."

It is still a long way to go and some concerns will be raised along the way. With the controversies about 3D printed firearms, all the more will the issue will heighten when a 3D Metal Printer becomes a reality. Just download the 3D files to make one, especially if people start sharing the files online.

But for me, the ability to print out metal parts to fix or upgrade an airsoft gun on the fly is what 3D Metal Printing is all about. That my friend, makes the future bright.