this post was submitted on 17 Oct 2023
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I understand the intent, but feel that there are so many other loopholes that put much worse weapons on the street than a printer. Besides, my prints can barely sustain normal use, much less a bullet being fired from them. I would think that this is more of a risk to the person holding the gun than who it's pointing at.

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[–] [email protected] 74 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Do I need a background check to buy a CNC? Or a lathe?

[–] [email protected] 15 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (5 children)

I mean, kind of, yes. CNCs have been one of the big items for export controls. Especially if they can be used to build weapons, parts for nuclear subs, etc.

Generally speaking, lathes and milling machines must be licensed for export if their accuracy exceeds six microns. Grinding machines are controlled at four microns. The Wassenaar Arrangement controls all machine tools capable of simultaneous, five-axis motion, regardless of machining accuracy.

Source

[–] [email protected] 27 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

In the US you don't need a license to purchase a CNC. Even items with export restrictions like night vision goggles (Under ITAR) can be bought by anyone and shipped to your door. The export controls would only come into effect upon you exporting them.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Besides not needing a license for export controlled items within the country, you don't need a 6 micron precision lathe

[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago

Until you want to replicate your dick

[–] [email protected] 12 points 10 months ago

Just export controls though?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

six microns

Given that human chromosomes are on the order of 5 to 10 microns, I am thinking this export regulation doesn't apply to the hobby market. This is "use the machine in a clean room" level precision.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

@FearTheCron @YourAvgDuckHead According to encyclopedia Britannica, I'd say a fairly reliable source, your out by a factor of 100. https://www.britannica.com/science/chromosome
A human blood cell is approx 10 micron long, according to this... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2998922/
Apologies for the pedantry, I couldn't help it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Hehe, I just grabbed the number off wolfram alpha's size comparison. Wouldn't surprise me if they are wrong, not sure where they scrape the data from. Anyway, my point stands, six microns is still stupidly small. Some dust or hair on the cutting edge and your precision is now out the window.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Oh wow, TIL! I guess I'm not surprised, consumer GPS is kneecapped at a lower accuracy for similar reasons

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

It used to be. It was called selective availability, where the DoD could dial up/down the accuracy for commercial receivers. However, it was discontinued in 2000.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 10 points 10 months ago

Not yet at the rate these clown lawmakers are going.