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Researchers embed digital 'fingerprints' into 3D printed parts — tech may make future ghost guns more traceable (www.tomshardware.com)
submitted 11 months ago by to c/3dprinting@lemmy.world
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/35997313

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[–] 80 points 11 months ago

Luckily we have open source firmware and we can build our own printers.

Most ghost guns are not 3D printed so this is nothing but security theater and an invasion of privacy.

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    [–] 43 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    Given the diy-nature of almost every 3d printer, I can't see this being very useful for identifying prints.

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  • [–] 16 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    Exactly my thoughts. I got my machine in 2017 and have replaced enough parts to make a ship of Theseus argument. Most of them weren't even due to wear, I just like rebuilding her. On top of that, every other printer I know is either all diy or kit built. I can't imagine this will stop anyone who genuinely wants to do harm.

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  • [–] 3 points 11 months ago

    This.

    My first and only 3D printer to this day is an Ender 5.

    But that Ender 5 is now partially converted to a ZeroG Mercury and the only thing that will be left original at the end will be the frame and some screws.

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    • [+] [S] 28 points 11 months ago (4 children)
    [deleted]
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  • [–] 25 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    Fluctuations in layer height that are not visible? Dude, most printers are not even able to achieve a layer height consistency that would be invisible to the naked eye if they wanted to.

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  • [–] 19 points 11 months ago* (1 child)

    So when I turn on variable layer height this whole thing goes out the window. Or if I post process and sand the parts. Oh I know what if I use a slicer and firmware like klipper to bypass everything. No 3d printer that isn't locked down already by closed ecosystem will never have this "code" in the parts.

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  • [–] 12 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    Sand paper wouldn't really help. They could just cut a part in half. But yeah no way in hell this will ever end up in any of the open source printer firmwares. So it's a moot point.

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  • [–] 18 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    This has to be borderline useless as a positive identification tool, given that people can...

    1. Make their own models
    2. Run open source slicing software
    3. Inspect their own gcode
    4. Print from flashcard on a 100% offline printer with known clean firmware, such as the most common Ender 3.

    How about they just focus on other methods of apprehending violent criminals and leave hobbyists alone.

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    • [–] 14 points 11 months ago

    you know how easy it is to circumvent this?

    relatively easy, its relatively easy. now you know.

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    [–] 2 points 10 months ago

    Okay so if I want to print a gun I'll just tighten an eccentric nut or belt tensioner. Lol

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