Semiautomatic Pistol Slide Weight Reduction via Composite Inserts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Semiautomatic pistol slides made from high carbon, heat-treated steel are excessively heavy due to their density, despite providing necessary structural integrity, and alternative materials like aluminum do not perform as well.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating weight-reducing recesses with structurally supportive inserts made from less dense materials, such as carbon fiber, into the slide body to maintain structural integrity while reducing weight, using techniques like compression molding to form the inserts within the recesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high carbon heat-treated steel is used to manufacture pistol slides, then structural integrity and tensile strength are maintained, but the slide weight becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal substrate (providing structural integrity and tensile strength) with a ceramic coating layer (providing wear resistance and reduced weight). This composite structure allows the slide to maintain the required strength properties while reducing overall weight compared to solid high carbon steel construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by applying the ceramic coating only to specific surfaces of the slide that require enhanced wear resistance, rather than coating the entire slide. This selective application reduces the overall weight added by the coating while maintaining protective properties where most needed.
2Weight of moving object
If aluminum is used to manufacture pistol slides, then slide weight is reduced, but structural integrity and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials where a metal substrate (such as aluminum or aluminum alloy) provides the base structure with reduced weight, while a ceramic coating layer is applied to restore and enhance surface hardness and wear resistance. This composite approach allows the slide to achieve low weight while maintaining structural integrity and performance characteristics comparable to traditional steel slides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface properties of the aluminum substrate through ceramic coating. The coating changes the surface hardness, wear resistance, and friction characteristics without significantly altering the overall weight or basic structural properties of the aluminum slide body.
Data Source
AI summary
A slide for a semiautomatic pistol includes features that reduce weight while maintaining structural rigidity and performance of the slide. The semiautomatic pistol slide may include one or more weight-reducing recesses and a structurally supportive insert within each weight-reducing recess. Methods and systems for fabricating semiautomatic pistol slides and other articles of manufacture that include weight-reducing recesses with structurally supportive inserts therein are also disclosed. Such a method may include a compression molding technique. Such a system may include a compression molding assembly.