Rene Jurack developed a simple tutorial on how you can get push notifications about your 3d print status to your smartwatch using the Octoprint and Telegram app.
You can see push notifications in action here on Apple Watch:
Complete setup tutorial can be found at project homepage:
MatterHackers present their Android based touch screen controller: the MatterControl Touch. It is compatible with most (probably all) G-code 3d printers.
Some basic technical specifications:
RAM: 1GB
GPU: Quad Core 4x1.4GHz
Internal Storage: 8GB
External Storage: SD Card
USB interface
Camera Included
Voice Capable
Touchscreen
Wifi-Connectivity
Standalone Control
Web Monitoring
Price: 299 USD
Key features from the product page:
Simple Setup - Preloaded configurations make setting up your 3D printer a snap - plug it in and start printing in minutes.
Integrated Slicing - Give your printer the ability to directly generate print files from 3D models using MatterSlice.
Remote Print Monitoring - Keep an eye on your 3D prints from afar using your phone or any web-enabled device.
Automatic Print Leveling - Use software-based leveling to achieve printing excellence.
SMS / Email Notifications - Have your printer send a text message or email alert with a photo of your finished part.
Onboard Camera - Take a picture of your finished print or check on the status while printing.
Free Updates - MatterControl is a continuously improving platform and staying up to date with the latest developments is just a simple click away.
Open Source Software - MatterControl Touch is powered by open source software and libraries, including MatterControl, MatterSlice, the agg-sharp graphics engine, and the Android operating system.
Wifi Enabled, Not Required - Enjoy a fully standalone experience or connect your printer to the web to take advantage of cloud features
Send Files over the Web - Send models to your printer from anywhere, or transfer models between printers. SD Cards not required.
Model Editing Tools - Make simple changes to your 3D model quickly and easily prior to printing. Rotate, scale, mirror and position your models for the perfect print.
Full Preview - Preview and interact with 3D models prior to printing. Use the layer-by-layer preview to see exactly how your print will turn out.
Customizable Settings - Create and customize your own, or use built-in presets for material and quality settings to make switching filaments simple and convenient. No more failed prints because you forgot to change a setting.
Design Plugins - Get add-ons to make simple parts right on your printer.
Dual Extrusion / Multi-Material - Assigning different materials is a snap so you can take full advantage of any multi-extruder equipped 3D printer.
Mid-print Tuning and Adjustment - Fine tune your prints with on-the-fly adjustments to speed and extrusion rates.
Print History - Keep a record of your favorite prints so you can reprint your most impressive parts with the click of a button.
Design Library - Organize all of your 3D printable models in one searchable location for easy access.
Advanced Features - MatterControl Touch puts the full capability of 3D printing into the hands of power users. So if you want to adjust eeprom settings, create custom macros, or send terminal commands directly to your machine - you can.
Future improvements: Secure Cloud-based Control, Support for .x3g and .s3g 3D Printers, More Camera Integration (time lapse videos, streaming prints, etc), Voice Command, Developer API
Here is a video presentation of MatterControl Touch, it sure looks easy and powerfull :
Is this machine worth your money? Well it depends. If you are able to use open source software and a cheap Android tablet, maybe you can get the most of functionality (but not all) for no cost. You could also use paid Android software like gCodePrintr to get some extra functionality. You decide! Independent test and reviews are not yet available. We will se what will be user experiences in the future.
Authentise computer vision will give you automatic print failure or error sensing with a simple web camera and alert you on your phone. it follows your 3d print progress layer by layer and registers any deviation from the original file.
German RepRap just released their stand-alone 3d print server control unit. It can be used from web interface from any computer or smartphone, it connects to the internet via WiFi or LAN cable and with three USB ports to the controlled 3d printer. Web camera monitoring is also available via USB ports.
It is priced at 149 euro.
Is it too much? Maybe ... you can make something similar with Raspberry Pi and other similar devices from less money. I would like to see more test to see if there are any advantages like in stability, processing or reliability.
It's called "home manufacturing revolution" with a reason. Here is a perfect example of small desktop robotic-additive manufacturing cell in action. Robotic uArm is replacing print beds and connecting new on with magnetic clamp.
The project is still in development phase but I think systems like this will be mature soon and become more complex, more productive, more available and widely used. There are even several low cost commercial grade multitool robots like FLX.ARM.S16 or open source ZeGo Delta.
You could have small production line on one table making stuff to sell while you are at your day-job or on permanent vacation. Combine that with rise of distributed manufacturing websites and revolution is underway. I have some friends who are into niche electronics and small mechanical parts market selling to foreign buyers from Croatia. With technology like this they could be even more competitive operating from relatively poor and undeveloped country. Interesting times people!
uArm is Arduino-compatible microcontroller controlled 4-axis parallel mechanism robotic arm which had a successful Kickstarter:
From the people who brought you 3Dagogo comes AstroPrint wireless 3d printing control platform. They are on Kickstarter now and managed to get funded in on day.
AstroPrint allows you to use any smartphone or tablet as a beautiful and effective 3D printer interface. In addition, we built it to reduce failed prints by offering cloud based slicing that gets smarter over time.
What is AstroPrint?
AstroPrint is a software platform that performs all the functions of your favorite printer controllers and slicers, but with some huge benefits:
Wireless Printing - your printer is now wifi enabled!
Access from Anywhere - print from your local network or the internet.
Beautiful Interface - UI design is incredibly important to us...
Cloud Slicing - updates and optimizations are automatic.
Slicing Intelligence - recommended settings improve over time.
Camera Support - live viewing online & auto updates via text or email.
Online File Storage - access your files anywhere, anytime.
No Maintenance - self updating.
The AstroPrint platform consists of two parts that operate seamlessly together:
The AstroBox™ allows you to connect to, and control, your 3D printer over wifi from phones, computers, and tablets. The AstroBox can be used standalone, or in conjunction with our free online cloud slicing and file storage services at AstroPrint.com. AstroPrint.com slices, organizes, and stores your designs in the cloud. In addition, through AstroPrint.com, you can connect to your AstroBox to control your printer.
Who is it for?
Beginners to 3D Printing - AstroPrint makes your 3D printer a 1-click-print device. AstroPrint will automagically set the most ideal settings for each of your prints, reducing your failed prints. This is based on your printer and filament manufacturer's suggested settings as well as our expert experience.
3D Printing Power-Users - Let's face it, sometimes you want to twerk every setting in Slic3r, but most of the time you want something super simple, right? AstroPrint has a simple interface, but gives you easy access to every advanced setting you could desire. Also, we organize your gcodes in relation to the STL's they were sliced from. This lets you print hassle free from anywhere, anytime.
How does it work?
Simply plug your printer's USB cable into the AstroBox, connect to the 'AstroBox Wifi' network, and the box does the rest. Instead of using Repetier Host or Pronterface to control your printer, you can now use AstroPrint straight from your phone, tablet, or computer. So, what if the internet goes down, you ask? No worries, the box creates its own local wifi network. Using this network you can still control your printer through the AstroBox! Also, your print will not fail because of internet issues. The AstroBox automatically stores your gcode. Once the print begins, it will not need any connection to the internet, wifi, tablet, computer, or phone to proceed normally through the printing process.
When connected to the internet, the AstroBox uses your free AstroPrint.com account to slice, store/retrieve, and organize your files. The AstroBox can automatically create and manage this account for you, or you can link your box to an existing AstroPrint.com account if you have already created one. Another great feature of AstroPrint.com is that you can connect to your AstroBox (and therefore, your printer) from anywhere you have internet access. This allows you to check up on your printer, see a live report of your print, start/stop print jobs, and more. If you have a camera installed you can even watch the print as it happens.
AstroPrint is deveoped and fully functional remote 3d printer management software now. It is open source and runs on Rapberry Pi, you can conrole your machine via web interface and use cloud slicer or any of many many options. Here is a review by Noe Ruiz of Adafruit:
You can also learn about it with full tutorial on Adafruit learning system:
PrintToPeer is company from Calgary that wants to simplify 3d printer control and connect them on the web via RaspberryPi software. The technology looks very promising and they will probably be successful.
Print3r is new android application that serves as 3d printing server on Android phones and tablets. Currently in Beta.
Print3r features:
3D Print Server for Android OS
Supports Android Tablets and Handsets
Control 3D Print Jobs and Printer from:
Native Android Touch Screen
A Web Browser
Local and SD-card File Management
Upload Files via Web, Wifi, Bluetooth,
Supports Multiple Firmwares
OpenGL G-Code Viewer
E-mail and more
Many more features...
PRINT3R for Android is built from the ground up with the help of several carefully chosen open-source projects. The Web UI (pictured above) is based on OctoPrint. The OpenGL viewer (pictured above) is based on Rajawali for Android. Other helper projects include NanoHTTPDPooled for web services and Amarino-Embed, projects we maintain separately. More information can be found in the PRINT3R for Android 'Credits' screen and upcoming documentation.
Two 15 year old South Africans create Windows mobile phone app that enables Nokia Lumia to 3d print cover for itself. Wow!
From video description:
Gerhard de Clercq and Pieter Sholtz, two South African teens, talk about their innovation that allows 3D printing directly from their phone and their mission to make 3D printing more accessible in Africa through mobile.
Usually you make a case FOR your Raspberry Pi, but software developed by Walter Schreppers enables you to print WITH your Raspberry Pi. In addition to acting as printer controller, it enables you to control it remotely via web interface. Next developments will include support for web camera. Github page states that it works with Ultimaker, RepRap, Makerbot ... check it out ...
I don't know who this guys are but they have a sweet setup. Twelve Ultimakers in a farm printing at very high speed, controlled on mobile phone (possibly web interface) and automatic removal of finished models. Cool.
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