Projectiles are a part of human nature. We've always thrown spears, rocks, etc -- firearms are just an extension of our better understanding of the world. I know of barely anything else that uses explosive charges that is as widely applicable to the general public. Roofing nail guns? But that's such a niche subject, it's not something people are really worried about trying to make with 3D printing. Believe me, if I had a better engineering challenge for 3D printing, I'd be suggesting it. But nothing quite hits like containing an explosive charge, and utilizing the energy in a way that performs work without destroying itself.
camera gear? experimental musical instruments? i think an idiot could make a list of things that aren't guns and don't suck
Things that "don't suck" are far away from peak exciting.
Did you miss the qualifier "that uses explosive charges"? The engineering challenge is in the explosive part.
Projectiles are a part of human nature. We've always thrown spears, rocks, etc -- firearms are just an extension of our better understanding of the world. I know of barely anything else that uses explosive charges that is as widely applicable to the general public. Roofing nail guns? But that's such a niche subject, it's not something people are really worried about trying to make with 3D printing. Believe me, if I had a better engineering challenge for 3D printing, I'd be suggesting it. But nothing quite hits like containing an explosive charge, and utilizing the energy in a way that performs work without destroying itself.
camera gear? experimental musical instruments? i think an idiot could make a list of things that aren't guns and don't suck
Things that "don't suck" are far away from peak exciting.
Did you miss the qualifier "that uses explosive charges"? The engineering challenge is in the explosive part.