AstroPrint

Summary

AstroPrint is a cloud platform and application marketplace designed for consumer 3D printing by 3DaGoGo Inc., a private San Diego-based technology company.

AstroPrint
Company typePrivate
Industry3D Printing
Founded2013
FoundersDrew Taylor, Daniel Arroyo, Joshua White
HeadquartersSan Diego, CA
ProductsAstroBox Gateway (open source), AstroBox Touch, AstroPrint Desktop, AstroPrint Mobile, Toy Maker
Brands3DaGoGo, AstroPrint
Servicessoftware for 3D Printing
Websiteastroprint.com

AstroPrint develops software to enable the management of desktop 3D printers from any web-enabled device.[1][2] AstroPrint maintains partnerships with the National Institutes of Health,[3][4] 3D Hubs,[5] i.materialize,[6] and 3D Slash.[7][8] The 3D printer manufacturer Airwolf 3D ships 3D Printers integrated with AstroPrint software.[9][10]

AstroPrint displayed on a variety of web-enabled devices

History edit

In May 2014, while part of the Betaspring seed accelerator,[11] AstroPrint was successfully funded through the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Subsequently, AstroPrint attended and graduated from the 500 Startups[12] seed accelerator in Mountain View, CA. Notable investors in AstroPrint include Dave McClure, Will Bunker, Dave Hodson (Co-Founder & CTO of MessageCast Inc.[13]) and Christine Tsai.

On January 5, 2016, AstroPrint unveiled a joint project with Marvell at CES 2016. The project involved the designing of a consumer-friendly 3D printer containing embedded software by AstroPrint using the Kinoma platform.[14]

In May 2017, AstroPrint successfully funded the development of the AstroBox Touch. Along with the AstroBox Touch, AstroPrint released cross-platform desktop and mobile apps alongside a public API designed to enhance the 3D printing experience on its platform.[15] Toy Maker,[16][17] a mobile app that allowed children to 3D print toys at home, was released in November 2017. Toy Maker helped to feature the content delivery capabilities of the AstroPrint platform.

Media coverage edit

On May 18, 2015, AstroPrint received the Editors Choice award from Maker Faire & Make Magazine.[18] Tech Cocktail named AstroPrint one of "The Top 5 Technologies VCs Will Fund in 2015".[19]

In July 2015, AstroPrint received coverage by the San Diego Business Journal for enabling Dr. Peter Manning at the National Institutes of Health to print 3-dimensional models of a two-year-old boy's heart. The models, which helped to fix the network of coronary vessels that caused the boy's health problems, were allegedly made possible due to AstroPrint's simplicity.[20]

In May 2017, AstroPrint received widespread media coverage for its second crowdfunding campaign.[21][22][23][24][25]

Technical specifications edit

AstroPrint takes a user's uploaded STL file, performs technical manipulations, and exports the generated g-code to the user's online account. The software then allows users to access, download, modify, and print their models wirelessly via their 3D printer.[26] AstroPrint is built with a multitude of 3D printing technologies, including Cura, Repetier-Host, Slic3r, and OctoPrint.[3] AstroPrint is compatible with many consumer 3D printers and devices, including the Raspberry Pi, and provides an API that allows third-parties to extend its capabilities.[27]

 
AstroPrint interface on a tablet while monitoring printer temperatures
 
Remotely monitoring a 3D Printer in real time from a phone

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Freeman, Mike (2015-03-21). "San Diego start-up targets 3-D printing". No. 2015–03–21. Union Tribune. San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  2. ^ Russell, Kyle (16 January 2015). "AstroPrint's Cloud Platform Lets You Manage 3D Printing From Anywhere". TechCrunch. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  3. ^ a b Tyrwhitt-Drake, James (2015-05-28). "New Features to Improve Printability". NIH 3D Print Exchange. National Institutes of Health. Archived from the original on 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2015-08-23.
  4. ^ "AstroPrint streamlines medical model preparation for the NIH 3D Print Exchange". Open Biomedical. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  5. ^ Millsaps, Bridget (13 May 2015). "3D Hubs Lavishes Five New Perks on Users with Discounted 3D Printing Materials, Software, & More". Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  6. ^ "AstroPrint Partners with i.materialise & More". 3D Print. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  7. ^ Edwards, Te (12 August 2015). "AstroPrint and 3D Slash Sign Collaborative Pact". 3D Print. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  8. ^ "ASTROPRINT INTEGRATES THE 3D SLASH APP". EvoNexus. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  9. ^ "AirWolf 3D" (PDF). AirWolf3D.com. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  10. ^ KRASSENSTEIN, BRIAN (6 January 2015). "Airwolf 3D Unveils New HD-R 3D Printer, Announces Deal with 3DaGoGo". 3D Print. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  11. ^ "AstroPrint: Making Wireless & Remote 3D Printing a Reality!". Betaspring. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  12. ^ "500 Startups Announces Batch 11". 500 Startups. Archived from the original on 23 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  13. ^ "MSN Acquires MessageCast to Expand Automated Alerting Services". Microsoft. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  14. ^ Hoddie, Peter. "AstroPrint's 3D Printer Development with KinomaJS". Kinoma. Archived from the original on 9 February 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  15. ^ "AstroPrint Announces the AstroBox Touch". SolidSmack. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  16. ^ "AstroPrint Releases Toy Maker App for Children | All3DP". All3DP. 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  17. ^ "Toy Maker: A New 3D Printing App for Kids (And Inspiration for Developers)". SolidSmack. 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  18. ^ "Obrary and AstroPrint Win Editor's Choice Ribbons at Maker Faire". EvoNexus. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  19. ^ McCulley, Gavin. "The Top 5 Technologies VCs Will Fund in 2015". Tech Cocktail. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  20. ^ Meiling, Brittany (2015-07-27). "Software Simplifies 3-D Printing". San Diego Business Journal.
  21. ^ "AstroPrint Announces the AstroBox Touch". SolidSmack. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  22. ^ "AstroPrint Kickstarter Campaign Raises Goal in 3 Hours". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  23. ^ "AstroPrint Kickstarter Campaign Raises Goal in 3 Hours | San Diego Business Journal". www.sdbj.com. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  24. ^ "AstroBox Touch Simplifies User Experience by Connecting to 3D Printer, Software, and Apps | 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing". 3dprint.com. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  25. ^ "AstroBox Touch Smashes Kickstarter Funding Goal in Just 3 Hours | All3DP". All3DP. 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  26. ^ "What is AstroPrint?". National Institutes of Health. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  27. ^ Grunewald, Scott (21 April 2015). "AstroPrint Adds Support for MakerBot and other SailFish Based 3D Printers". 3D Print. Retrieved 24 August 2015.

External links edit

  • AstroPrint's Official Website