BCN3D Launches Cloud Platform for Scalable 3D Printer Fleet Management

BCN3D, a Barcelona-based manufacturer of fused deposition modeling 3D printers, has launched its new Cloud platform.

Intended to replace the company’s current Cloud software, the new web-based platform is based on the core technology of AstroPrint, a software firm acquired by BCN3D this past July. With the new release, BCN3D customers will be able to streamline their 3D printing workflows and scale their operations with real-time fleet management, remote build monitoring, improved collaboration between teams and more.

“For our current clients, the integration of AM processes in their business is becoming more critical as the applications are more demanding,” says Daniel Arroyo, chief software officer of BCN3D. “With increasing printed part volumes, more people and more machines interacting, the workflow needs to be robust and seamless. To support those customer needs, the vision of BCN3D is to provide software layers that add effective value on top of hardware, closing the circle of an enterprise-level solution.“

Industrial Applications

With its most recent 3D printer releases—namely the Sigma D25 and Epsilon Series—BCN3D has shifted towards the industrial-grade 3D printing markets. According to the firm, its main verticals in 2021 are the automotive, manufacturing and engineering sectors, with its primary applications becoming functional parts, tooling and low-volume batches.

BCN3D technology has been a cornerstone of several automotive projects, with the Elisava Racing Team from Barcelona’s University School of Design and Engineering using it to 3D print end-use parts for an all-electric intelligent mountain rescue motorcycle. Earlier this summer, car manufacturer Nissan also began using the technology to bolster its automotive production lines in Spain, 3D printing parts such as tools, jigs and fixtures.

BCN3D Cloud: Standard, Teams and Private

To keep up with its hardware advancements, BCN3D has turned to its software portfolio. The new BCN3D Cloud aims to combine remote fleet and resource management under one digital roof, enabling companies to more easily implement controlled 3D printing workflows. It will be available to use from October 13 onward under three different plans: Standard, Teams and Private.

The BCN3D Cloud Standard plan will be included for free with all Epsilon Series and Sigma D25 3D printers. Users will be able to use a digital part library, queue management, print job organization and prioritization, and clusters, which enable sets of printers to be grouped together based on different characteristics or features. Customers on the Standard plan will also have access to real-time statistics, allowing for on-the-fly workflow analysis and actionable insights.

Next up is BCN3D Cloud Teams, which is more geared towards larger organizations that need to establish a departmental structure with configurable roles and access permissions for each of their employees. The Teams plan also unlocks the Workflows feature, which allows customers to create several different 3D printing workflows to better manage an internal fleet. Some employees will be able to add files to the workflow, while others will be responsible for overseeing the printing process, all depending on the assigned roles. Teams can be trialed for a 3-month probation period, then $595 per year.

The BCN3D Cloud Private plan is designed for organizations and projects where privacy and security are of utmost importance. This will be an on-demand plan.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.