Setting the Standard
Despite their late entry into the tactical mounts market, the EAW has been a pioneer in the realm of 3D printed scope mounts, as they were the first company in the industry to explore this innovative printing approach on their products. Our team visited their stand at IWA 2023 and had a chance to examine some of the latest innovations they have to offer.
The company recently introduced a lightweight titanium mount created using 3D printing technology, building upon their experience with aluminum 3D printed mounts, which have been available for some time. Both the aluminum and titanium versions are manufactured using state-of-the-art 5-axis machining centers installed in the company’s factory.
You can learn more about EAW aluminum 3D printed mount the article available on our website.
An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove
Although the titanium mount appears delicate, it is surprisingly durable and can withstand extreme stresses. The company went with a new unique design which will most likely provoke mixed reactions. You will either love it or hate it as it is a rather alien-looking piece of engineering.
It comes in a peculiar shape for a reason though. The initial aluminum mounts had a standardized uniform form factor, but after conducting several topological studies, EAW's engineers discovered that the alien-like design of the new titanium series significantly outperformed the conventional shape in terms of structural integrity and other built characteristics. Furthermore, the mount was thoroughly tested by DEVA (German Experimental and Test Institute for Hunting and Sporting Firearms) and received straight As. The company already carried out a lifetime test that subjected the product to 20,000 shocks.
Besides the visually intriguing design, the 3D printing process results in a substantial weight reduction, as the final products are roughly 20% lighter than similar one-piece mounts. Another interesting feature is the variety of colors the mounts are available in, including colors inspired by different countries or their flags.
Final Thoughts
Despite laying the foundation for further development of scope mounts in the 3D printed field, we believe that ideally, the EAW’s 3D Ultralight Titanium Mount could be further optimized by making it even lighter, more delicate and having it available in lower configurations. Moreover, the high price points of these mounts may be a significant drawback for many customers as the titanium version starts at 1,199.00 €.
Looking ahead, our team expects to see an increasing number of mounting solutions on the market adopting this technology, as it offers a range of benefits in terms of production, structural integrity, and weight reduction. It is intriguing to see EAW take a somewhat bold step in this direction and embrace the potential that 3D printing has to offer in the world of scope mounts.
