How MetalMaker 3D is using AstroPrint to Disrupt the $200B Metal Casting Industry
Lots of innovators are using AstroPrint to power their startup businesses, but none more innovative than the good folks at MetalMaker 3D.
Author: AstroPrint Staff
Max-K: How a StartUp Launches a Printer with AstroPrint and Google Assistant
Last month, Max-K (Emot3D), a start-up manufacturer based in Mexico, presented its new 3D printer at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The printer comes with Google Assistant and it’s powered by AstroPrint software. Thanks to both integrations, the 3D printer can be controlled from any device and print with a few clicks. In addition, you can control multiple printers from one device and execute voice commands specific to the 3D printer such as bed leveling.
We asked Jose Luis Ku, founder of the company, about his experience making a smart 3D printer:
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AstroPrint Powered 3D Printers at NY MakerFaire!
Last weekend, we walked around the NY MakerFaire and had the pleasure to see the first AstroPrint powered 3D printer that appears in public. Yay!
Our friends at IMADE3D showed a prototype of their new JellyBox printer running AstroPrint software. This colorful printer allows students to learn about 3D printing by building their own printer. Unlike most DIY 3D printers, this one is actually easy and fun to build.
One of the challenges after students build the printer is to get them excited about printing things. Until now, engineering grade software and horrible user interfaces haven’t helped with this. People can get discouraged by non-intuitive UIs, lack of networking capabilities and the time-consuming process of going from CAD file to physical object.
This is where AstroPrint comes to help💪. Students can now print files right from the touchscreen, controlling and monitoring remotely and much more. Basically, they now fall in love when they build the printer, and when they use it 😍😍
We’ll be announcing more partnerships over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!
How to upload GCODE (and X3G) files on AstroPrint — Even if you use Simplify3D, CURA OR any other slicer! 🤔
The AstroPrint Cloud Slicer uses CURA engine for slicing and generating GCODE files — but, here’s the thing: You can use ANY slicer you want (like CURA or Simplify3D) and STILL take advantage of all the other incredible features AstroPrint has to offer, like: Remote Monitoring, and Print Queuing.
As long as you have a AstroPrint Compatible 3D Printer — your workflow will be a LOT easier (and fun!) REGARDLESS of whether you choose to use our cloud slicer or not.
Speaking of slicing…
One of the most requested features of AstroPrint has been — the ability to upload GCODE files directly via the AstroPrint Cloud.
Until now, pre-sliced GCODE and X3G files could only be uploaded locally via the AstroBox Gateway.
I say “Until Now” because…
You can now upload pre-sliced GCODE (and X3G) files via the Design Library app on the AstroPrint Cloud.
3 Benefits of AstroPrint OEM Dashboard
If phone and computer manufacturers can make software upgrades over-the-air, why 3D printer manufacturers can’t?
From AstroPrint OEM dashboard you can now control all software aspects of your 3D printer line, getting three main benefits from it:
1. Better Quality Prints
For most 3D printers today, users have to tinker until they find the proper slicer settings. Or, they have to download recommended slicer settings to make their own printer profiles. AstroPrint has solved this issue, allowing manufacturers control their slicer settings in a centralized way.
AstroBoxTouch: New Customization Levels for 3D Printer Manufacturers
Many 3D printer manufacturers are preinstalling AstroPrint software in their printers. Just like Lenovo preinstalls Windows in computers, or Samsung preinstalls Android in phones.
Our goal at AstroPrint is to help manufacturers make smart 3D printers, replacing their antiquated software. But each printer is different and as a manufacturer, you want software tailored for your printers. This is why we are giving you more and more flexibility to customize Astrobox software to meet the specific needs of your Hardware:
Branding
Thingiverse and Myminifactory now in AstroBoxTouch!
Can you imagine accessing millions of 3D printable models right from your printer controller?
Stop dreaming…that’s now possible. In our fight against software mediocrity, we have integrated the most popular model repository websites in our touchscreen controller, as user-friendly apps!
Why User-Friendly 3D Printers Don’t Sell Well (Yet)
The Mod-t, a beautiful, cloud-connected and easy-to-use 3D printer for only $299. NewMatter recently announced it will shut down operations. What went wrong?
Some 3D printer manufacturers are making their own user-friendly software innovations to make printers more approachable. However, they don’t sell enough units. But why? Don’t people like easy-to-use 3D printers with a sleek design?
Why 3D Printer Manufacturers should NEVER make software
Have you heard of Pirate3D‘s Buccaneer 3D Printer?
It’s the Jony Ives-inspired 3D printer that never took sail.
With a sleek, aluminum body, smooth, crystal clear acrylic housing, and beautiful aesthetics, it’s all beauty and no brains.
If you aren’t in the loop, Pirate3D raised a (then) record-breaking $1.4M+ on Kickstarter for their Buccaneer 3D Printer in 2013.
It was a hit.
Largely because most consumers had never seen such a well thought out 3D printer at such an affordable price point.
At the time, the most well-known printer was Makerbot’s Replicator 2, which ran for $2,200 and Pirate3D claimed to have a better designed, faster printer (The Buccaneer) for just $347.
Truth is: it WAS a well-designed printer and we were just as excited for Pirate3D to pull this off.