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AstroPrint

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

AstroPrint develops software to enable the management of desktop 3D printers from any web-enabled device.[1][2]

AstroPrint displayed on a variety of web-enabled devices

History

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In May 2014, while part of the Betaspring seed accelerator,[3] AstroPrint was successfully funded through the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Subsequently, AstroPrint attended and graduated from the 500 Startups[4] seed accelerator in Mountain View, CA. Notable investors in AstroPrint include Dave McClure, Will Bunker, Dave Hodson (Co-Founder & CTO of MessageCast Inc.[5]) 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.[6]

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.[7] Toy Maker,[8][9] 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

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On May 18, 2015, AstroPrint received the Editors Choice award from Maker Faire & Make Magazine.[10] Tech Cocktail named AstroPrint one of "The Top 5 Technologies VCs Will Fund in 2015".[11]

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.[12]

In May 2017, AstroPrint received widespread media coverage for its second crowdfunding campaign.[13][14][15][16][17]

Technical specifications

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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.[18] AstroPrint is built with a multitude of 3D printing technologies, including Cura, Repetier-Host, Slic3r, and OctoPrint.[19] 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.[20]

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

See also

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References

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  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. ^ "AstroPrint: Making Wireless & Remote 3D Printing a Reality!". Betaspring. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  4. ^ "500 Startups Announces Batch 11". 500 Startups. Archived from the original on 23 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  5. ^ "MSN Acquires MessageCast to Expand Automated Alerting Services". Microsoft. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  6. ^ O'Neal, Bridget (2016-01-10). "AstroPrint Develops New Products for Marvell with KinomaJS as Driving Force, Highlighted at CES 2016". 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  7. ^ "AstroPrint Announces the AstroBox Touch". SolidSmack. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  8. ^ "AstroPrint Releases Toy Maker App for Children | All3DP". All3DP. 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  9. ^ "Toy Maker: A New 3D Printing App for Kids (And Inspiration for Developers)". SolidSmack. 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  10. ^ "Obrary and AstroPrint Win Editor's Choice Ribbons at Maker Faire". EvoNexus. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  11. ^ McCulley, Gavin. "The Top 5 Technologies VCs Will Fund in 2015". Tech Cocktail. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  12. ^ Meiling, Brittany (2015-07-27). "Software Simplifies 3-D Printing". San Diego Business Journal.
  13. ^ "AstroPrint Announces the AstroBox Touch". SolidSmack. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  14. ^ "AstroPrint Kickstarter Campaign Raises Goal in 3 Hours". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  15. ^ "AstroPrint Kickstarter Campaign Raises Goal in 3 Hours | San Diego Business Journal". www.sdbj.com. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "AstroBox Touch Smashes Kickstarter Funding Goal in Just 3 Hours | All3DP". All3DP. 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  18. ^ "What is AstroPrint?". National Institutes of Health. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ Grunewald, Scott (21 April 2015). "AstroPrint Adds Support for MakerBot and other SailFish Based 3D Printers". 3D Print. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
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