Perhaps you could answer some basic questions for me.
I get the concept of directing the laser in three dimensions, but after the ‘soup’ is mixed how does the process proceed.
What holds the first transformed molecule in a fixed position within the ‘soup’, allowing precise and accurate continued ‘building’? Assuming that heat is generated at the point of creating the solid are aspects of fluid dynamics at play at that scale? Is there an armature of sorts that’s seeded?
Is it possible that a carbon fiber wire frame form can be used as an armature upon which layers are added all around, thus providing reinforcing.
Interesting that you closed with “...would be durable enough to have an acceptable lifespan.”. Might well be that acceptable life span could be altered by having the means for production at hand. Barring catastrophic destruction one might accept a shorter product life span knowing that you’ve already got another one in the oven.
And there are scenarios where early catastrophic failure is a positive feature much in the way battlefield weapons are left booby trapped.
I have read that the points are measured in microns so the lasers and the plastic dispenser meet at a very finite point. The 3D is plotted in the x,y and then repeated in the z until each layer is complete.
Theoretically you could lay in some kind of nano-fiber to strengthen the layers similar to the way fiberglass can strengthen cement.
I think the end result will be some form of the above in conjunction with a radical redesign of the firing mechanism.
I think because because early designers were working in steel, the designs didn’t give much attention to the forces created by the bullet.
I think that there are possible designs that could severely limit the impact of the bullet recoil on the frame of the gun resulting in a metal barrel / coil / piston / plastic frame hybrid that would stand up to repeat firing... not going to work using current gun designs though....IMHO
I can tell you that the old SLA parts were made up by adding very thin layers one upon another creating the solid part. That is why these parts all appeared to have a rough 125-250 RMS machined finish on them, unless they were polished by another process.
As far as lifespan, a fragile engine would be of no use to anyone.
A fragile firearm that could be shot some without breaking or blowing up could be useful as a “throwdown”.