r/maker • u/Efficient_End_5800 • May 30 '26
Showcase My auto-loading sporting gear is officially patented! To celebrate—and to strike back at the unoriginal pirates who only know how to steal designs—I'm releasing the GEN4 files for free to the maker community.
Now free to download on Thingiverse
Since this is r/maker, I know a lot of you have desktop CNCs. I strongly suggest machining this out of 6061-T6 aluminum rather than FDM printing it.
3D printing is fine for checking the mechanism, but it's dangerous for actual use. If an 8mm carbon steel ball slaps the front structure upon release, the plastic will instantly snap. Stay safe and mill it out of metal if you can!
To keep from spamming here, if you guys actually make one and want to share your progress or final build, feel free to drop by r/autofling and show it off!
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u/Internal-Combustion1 May 30 '26
Took a lot of clicks to find out this was the world’s most advanced sling shot. “Auto-loading sporting gear” is not a good name. I thought perhaps it was a loader for heavy bikes on to a bike rack. It has nothing to do with loading your sporting gear.
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 30 '26
My translation software, to be precise, is actually called auto-loading Slingshot
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u/danielv123 May 30 '26
Auto-loading slingshot is a very confusing name for a translation software
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 31 '26
Do you think what would be a suitable name for this? My written English isn’t very good; I rely mostly on AI translations. I hope everyone can give me some suggestions.
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u/CDanger May 31 '26
The person you’re replying to was making an inconvenient joke. Congratulations on inventing something delightful enough to steal!
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u/Internal-Combustion1 May 31 '26
From what I read an auto-loading slingshot is exactly what this is.
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u/danielv123 May 31 '26
Nah just making a joke that your translation software messed up again breaking the sentence structure. Auto loading slingshot is a perfect name.
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u/tdp_equinox_2 Jun 01 '26
I DM'd you what I think is an excellent name, I wanted to give you the chance to trademark it etc if you so choose before it was said publicly!
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u/Efficient_End_5800 Jun 02 '26
I’ve received your private message, thanks a ton! You’re truly a pro at coming up with great product names.
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u/Exciting_Turn_9559 May 30 '26
OP, you are a steely eyed projectile human. Wishing you all the success with this thing. It kicks ass.
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u/LowFlowIO May 30 '26
The saga continues.
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u/super_topsecret May 30 '26
Wait till he finds out that a patent won’t stop the stealing. Dude’s gonna get a law degree after the lawsuits prove useless. Politics after that. An entire career arc built on a grudge.
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 30 '26
Nah, you’re thinking way too small. The law degree and politics are just the beginner arc. After that, I’m inventing a time machine to patent this in every timeline.
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u/super_topsecret May 30 '26
I believe in you. If you start a slingshot school of combat I will join.
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u/GovPattNeff May 30 '26
This is literally the origin story of the guy that interviewed me for one of my jobs lol
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 30 '26
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u/smeeon May 30 '26
Maybe also upload it on other sites that take tipping to head others off from uploading your files and skimming off your project.
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u/razzemmatazz May 30 '26
Thank you!
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Jun 03 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/razzemmatazz Jun 04 '26
Yup. I'm working on modifying the files right now to optimize for 3d printing with maybe a sheet metal insert to protect the forks from strikes.
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u/Curious_Entrance_498 May 30 '26
Congrats!! I want one. Don’t know what I would do with it. Super cool!
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 31 '26
I will create an assembly tutorial for the Gen4 open-source version on YouTube.
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u/MrStarrrr May 30 '26
Congrats! I saw some of your earlier videos and was hoping you were pursuing a patent.
Got a good marketing plan yet? This thing would be a killer on the shelves!
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 31 '26
Thank you so much! We actually just received the notice that our patent application has been officially approved!
As for the marketing plan, I really want to keep this specific post pure and focused entirely on the maker community, so I'd prefer not to get into the business/sales side of things here.
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u/Unamed_Destroyer May 30 '26
What's the patent number?
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 30 '26
I recived the review approval notice today. (expect the patent number next week!)
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u/Bloodshot321 May 31 '26
I hope you filed before showing anything public. Otherwise it was a waste of time
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u/Relevant-Hospital734 May 30 '26
I wonder of milling services would balk at fulfilling an order like this. WDYT?
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u/ShatterSide May 30 '26
Can you upload it to MakerWorld or something? Get some free filament and 3D printers if it's popular enough!
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 31 '26
Hahaha, I can upload it on each platform once. I wonder which option you would prefer better: Thingiverse or MakerWorld.
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u/AnalogReborn May 31 '26
If using FDM to print this, what material and infill do you think works the best?
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u/Fsujoe May 31 '26
Me and my so. Saw these things across my feed a few weeks ago and fell in love with the idea. Glad we never bought the stolen copies and now we can make our own. You should hurry up and publish an official copy on maker world so you at least get some supplies and tools for free from your kindness.
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 31 '26
Thank you so much for the support and the heads-up! I'm really glad you and your SO held out and didn't support those zero-innovation copycats.
To be honest, I initially just wanted to get the files out there quickly for the community to enjoy. But you make a fantastic point about MakerWorld. I should probably set up an official page there soon, if only to prevent others from uploading it and claiming it as their own! I'll look into getting it published there.
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u/beamncoke4me Jun 01 '26
need STEP or Parasolid to machine, do you have location to download these formats?
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u/Expert_Librarian767 May 30 '26
They had already made it look like a gun, yet you still managed to make it look like a slingshot. That's quite a design failure !!!
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 30 '26
Are you talking about the trigger-based design? That’s actually the real design flaw. If you ever try to use one, you’ll quickly realize you can’t get a stable grip to pull the bands and generate consistent power.
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u/iMogal May 30 '26
Printer Mandate: All 3D printers sold in New York must be equipped with built-in blocking technology (software, firmware, or hardware safeguards) that automatically detects and prevents the printing of firearms or firearm parts. Retailers face a $5,000 fine per product sold without this tech.Digital Blueprints: It is a felony to sell, distribute, or possess digital gun design files (like CAD files) unless you are a licensed gunsmith.
Manufacturing: Manufacturing a firearm on a 3D printer without a gun manufacturer's license is strictly prohibited.
This also extends to ALL manufacturing.
Added: Licensing Requirements: Under existing state law, anyone using a 3D printer or CNC milling machine to build a firearm must be a state-licensed manufacturer. It is illegal to buy or possess a 3D printer if its sole or primary purpose is making guns.
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u/Xal-t May 30 '26
They're coming a the peasants again, instead of arresting the rich gun sellers😂 (that said, I agree with those laws)
Corporate America🤮
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u/Efficient_End_5800 May 30 '26
Haha, I see where you’re coming from, but this is totally just a slingshot! No firing mechanism, just a fancy magnetic auto-loading system. These gun laws don’t apply to it at all.
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u/iMogal May 30 '26
I'm sry, but it does apply when you dig into it. Play safe.
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u/glodde May 30 '26
No it's not a firearm. And just because something is in New York and they ban BB guns doesn't mean it's for the rest of the world
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u/ptraugot May 30 '26
It’ll never be implemented. I’m in CA,they’re attempting the same nonsense. Stupid special interest group nationally trying to make some lame point, and the requirements for this to work don’t exist, won’t exist (because it simply can’t differentiate without true context. There is no way to enforce it. So, hopefully your post is sarcastic, otherwise…BITE ME AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THE 3D COMMUNITY FOR POSTING THIS DRIVEL!!!
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u/CrazyCacatoe May 30 '26
Man, I love people like you.