3D Printing Control in the Cloud

Start-up Astroprint is poised to make 3D printing much easier to use and manage via the cloud. And unlike other similar solutions, users don’t have to download any software or even spend time adjusting print settings.

The company was launched in 2013 via a KickStarter campaign by the folks behind 3DaGoGo. Astroprint’s cloud platform works in combination with local hardware and software so that users can manage 3D printing tasks via any connected device.

The solution can be accessed from any web browser, allowing users to see 3D models from repositories connected to the company’s database. The company’s Cloud Slicer leverages manufacturer recommended settings and proprietary algorithms to process the model into slices for the printer.

The models can then be sent to any printer connected to the Internet. According to the company, it has users that are managing as many as 20 printers simultaneously from one tablet device.

The company also offers an AstroBox that lets users connected printers to the cloud via a $149 kit, and has made the open source AstroBox software available for Raspberry Pi , Beagle Bone Black and pcDuino users. The hardware stores g-code, so that printing can continue even when there is no longer an Internet connection.

Users can slice and store designs in the cloud, and receive automatic text or e-mail updates, as well as live video monitoring of prints.

While the technology is great, the company is still trying to find ways to make money. One avenue: licensing the software/hardware to 3D printer manufacturers. AstroPrint has partnered with AirWolf, and demonstrated a printer at CES that used the platform to connect to the cloud. Other partnerships are in the works, according to the company.

Source: Astroprint