Spanish 3D printer manufacturerBCN3Dhas completed the acquisition of cloud-based additive manufacturing platformArtroprint。
该交易最初是在去年4月达成协议的,该交易将使Astroprint的软件团队开始致力于优化BCN3D机器性能的方法,现在已经完成。借助Astroprint技术的集成和续研发,BCN3D旨在简化其用户的体验,并引入创新功能,而这些功能“从未在市场上看到过”。
“We see this as a new chapter in our quest for offering the absolute best possible solution to clients across both hardware and software,” said Xavier Martínez Faneca, CEO of BCN3D. “We are certain that this acquisition of a company with such expertise in this field will serve to boost our BCN3D printing profile to its full potential, and that the merging of our teams will undoubtedly entail countless benefits.”
Artroprint’s cloud platform
从其位于加利福尼亚州圣地亚哥的基地,Astroprint提供了一套基于云的3D打印产品。该公司的当前投资组合包括CAD设计文件存储和浏览器切片程序,以及广泛的打印管理产品,可允许用户远程监视其印刷品的优先级和质量。
Since being founded in 2013, the platform has attracted over 200.000 registered users in 130 different countries, thanks in part, to its compatibility with a wide array of FDM machines. While AstroPrint itself has only verified a handful of systems for use with its softwares, users have found that certain printers fromAnycubic,,,,MakerBot,,,,LulzBot,,,,Ultimaker还有更多的修补后能够利用它们。
In terms of BCN3D’s offering, the platform is said to be compatible with its Sigma, Sigmax, Plus and ‘R’ systems, although this hasn’t been verified, and while the combination of the firms’ technologies is likely to allow these systems to run AstroPrint softwares natively, it’s unclear if users will require an ‘Astrobox’ to do so.
Available in ‘Touch’ and ‘Gateway’ editions, these devices enable users to control their existing setup via AstroPrint software. While other products such as the ‘OctoPi’ and DIY AstroBoxes, also allow adopters to connect with the program, it’s equally unclear if this open-source approach will continue after the platform’s acquisition.
Exploring software synergies
旷日持久的谈判后,开始拉t April, BCN3D has finally bought its takeover target. Working with its new subsidiary, the Spanish firm says that it intends to develop a “new cloud-based platform,” in addition to redeploying its talented team to focus on “the future development of its 3D printing solutions.”
BCN3Dmaintains that AstroPrint will continue to trade as an independent platform, and that it will develop new functionalities for its user base in future. However, with the integration of its subsidiary’s technologies, it has also identified potential “benefits for both its clients, and the development of Industry 4.0” moving forwards.
为了将这些潜在的收益变为现实,BCN3D已任命Astroprint的联合创始人和CTO Daniel Arroyo为新的首席软件官(CSO)。根据Arroyo的说法,他将率先融合了公司技术的融合,他们的组合最终将为BCN3D用户带来明显的最终用途优势。
“Our collaboration with BCN3D brings us the challenge and pleasure of developing more advanced solutions for BCN3D clients,” added Arroyo. “We are super excited to pair our software with BCN3D’s hardware in order to unlock tremendous value via deep hardware and software integrations and innovations.”
Increasing cloud integration
BCN3D不是第一个建立基于云的产品的3D打印机制造商,目的是改善其用户群的体验。Markforgedlaunched itsindustrial Digital Forge2020年11月,3D打印平台旨在将所有12,000个左右的系统左右连接到一个具有凝聚力的机器学习网络。
使用公司的Eiger打印准备软件,数字伪造可以有效地通过从以前的作业中遇到的错误学习,使其可以更好地进行更正并减少打印故障,从而有效地变得“更聪明”。
On a smaller scale, Polish 3D printer manufacturerZortraxalso launched its new包含印刷管理系统去年9月。该计划以前是该公司在其总部部署的,现在已将其推出以供客户使用,从而使他们可以从3D打印工作流中提高生产力。
Elsewhere, on the external market, there remains an array of similar platforms available as well, such as the well-known print software offered byMakerOS。今年早些时候,该公司进行了业务管理AM程序免费使用,,,,with the aim of “democratizing product development,” although its premium features remain behind a paywall.
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Featured image shows a ‘print farm’ of BCN3D Sigma 3D printers. Photo via BCN3D.