3D GUN'T: Print&Go’s solution to prevent 3D printed ‘Ghost Guns’
As illegal firearm production via 3D printing becomes an increasing concern, Print&Go announces the launch of 3D GUN'T, an innovative system designed to combat this growing threat.
Whether you have heard about 3D printed ghost guns or not, it's likely that you have a basic understanding of 3D printers and its potential applications.
As most of the 4.0 technologies, 3D printing is in a constant evolution, and it's becoming more accessible and useful in more ways. New materials, techniques, and hardware are making it easier for beginners to get into it, while also helping experts be more productive. But this popularity growth comes with new ethical and legal challenges.
There's a growing concern, particularly about printing untraceable 3D-printed guns (also known as ‘ghost guns’). If it's as simple as a quick online search for “Can you print a gun with a 3D printer?”, then there's an opportunity to tackle the potential misuse of this technology together in a constructive and collaborative way.
Understanding the problem: the rise of Ghost Guns
Let’s face it: it is now possible to print a weapon in your home with a 3D printer and some online blueprints. And yes, 3D printed guns actually work like any other firearm. They are fully functional and effective.
These unregistered and untraceable ghost guns have prompted concerns about public safety. Since they lack serial numbers and are undetectable by X-rays, there is a possibility that they could evade security and law enforcement.
That is why Print&Go has taken the initiative to develop a solution to help prevent any dangerous uses of this practice: 3D GUN'T.
What is 3D GUN'T?
As the name itself suggests, it's a fairly simple concept: 3D GUN'T basically prevents 3D printers from printing guns. The solution uses a combination of technologies:
- CAD file model analysis
- Artificial Intelligence algorithms
- Hierarchy based detection systems
Together, they provide a comprehensive solution for controlling and regulating the printing of 3D guns.
How does 3D GUN'T work?
To understand 3D GUN'T, first you need to know what Print&Go does:
Print&Go is the leading 3D printing workflow software that makes 3D printing process easier to use and more productive. P&G provides remote management of 3D printers, enabling the control and connection of almost all the existing 3D printing manufacturers.
Now, with 3D GUN'T, Print&Go significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized 3D gun printing by intercepting and analyzing the print process at 5 key stages:
1. Detecting 3D gun files before they print
Before any 3D printer can print an object, the design file (usually a .STL file) needs to be processed into a series of instructions that the printer can follow. 3D GUN'T can recognize and analyze these files (even if someone tries to sneak it through using a USB stick). The system compares the file with a huge library of known gun models. If there’s a match or something similar, it flags the print as suspicious and blocks it.
2. Using AI to spot weapons
3D GUN'T incorporates a proprietary AI to detect ghost guns components. The algorithm has been trained using a huge 3D gun repository, so it can identify even the most subtle shapes and parts that could be used to print a firearm.
Besides just relying on a list of known guns, the self-trained detection method can spot new or modified ghost guns STL files that aren’t in the database yet.
3. Complete print traceability
The system keeps a record of everything that's printed, including who printed it, what was printed, and even where they were when it was printed. If someone does manage to print a gun, the authorities will be able to identify and trace any instances of printing gun-related material.
4. Firmware that blocks gun printing
Print&Go does have some agreements with key printer manufacturers, in which it is agreed that all printers come out of the factory with Print&Go already installed into the printer's software (called firmware).
This means that even if someone disconnects the printer from the internet to avoid detection, the system will still block any attempts to print 3D guns.
5. Real-Time camera detection
Many 3D printers have cameras to monitor the printing process. For those that do not have a built-in camera, Print&Go enables connecting any USB camera using the P&G Node.
3D GUN'T uses these cameras to identify gun-shaped objects while they’re being printed. Even if the printer file somehow slips through, the camera can catch it.
This would be a complementary approach to the file-oriented ones, since disabling the camera of the 3D printer is as simple as blocking it physically, but still provides another approach to face this challenge.
A solution for 3D printing safety
By combining these methods, 3D GUN'T creates a robust 360º solution that prevents the illegal use of 3D printers for making guns. The integration of these features within Print&Go’s cloud-based platform means that every printer, regardless of brand or model, benefits from the same level of protection and safety.
Moreover, because Print&Go operates remotely, administrators and operators can monitor printing activities from anywhere, further enhancing the system’s ability to stop illicit activity in real-time.
The impact of 3D GUN'T for 3D printers
The 3D GUN'T solution is a big step forward in dealing with the ethical issues around 3D printing. While the technology has huge potential for good, from prototyping to medical advances, we need to make sure it isn't misused.
By building in top-notch safety features right into its platform, Print&Go has come up with a way to make sure that 3D printing processes are safe and secure.
3D GUN'T also helps keep people safe from the risks of ghost guns and makes it easier for governments and organizations to follow local laws and regulations on making firearms. It keeps technology moving forward while minimizing the risks.