There’s an obvious demand for the ability to 3D print whatever you want from wherever you want, as numerous options for wireless, cloud 3D printing present themselves. Now, a new cloud-based 3D printing solution has launched on Kickstarter — and exceeded its goal in 24 hours — that hopes to be the best option on the market.
AstroPrint is a combination hardware and software package that allows users to operate their 3D printer from their smart devices. Launched by the team behind 3D model repository 3Dagogo, AstroPrint comes in two parts. The AstroBox is a pcDuino V2 and pcDuino3S that connect to your 3D printer via USB and, in turn, connects your printer to the web. AstroPrint.com is a web platform that can slice, store and retrieve, organize and print your 3D files. AstroBox creates its own local wifi network so that, in the case that your internet goes down, your printer will keep going.
Normally, AstroPrint.com will offer two membership packages. The Basic Plan is free and gets you 10Gb of storage to print from one printer over your local network. The Pro Plan will cost $10/month after the campaign and expands your data storage to 50Gb for unlimited printers to print via the cloud or your local network. Though the box will eventually retail for $149, you can purchase the AstroBox preassembled, with a Pro AstroPrint membership.
By November, AstroPrint hopes to have fulfilled all of their backers. For those who don’t want to assemble their own wifi option for their 3D printer, the AstroBox appears to be a pretty affordable way to have one pre-made.
