Open source

CEL-UK’s AutoMaker 3D printing software is now open-source

In a bid to give back to the open-source community, 3D printer manufacturerCEL-UKhas released itsAutoMaker softwareunder an open-source license.

The code is the driving force behind the company’sRobox FDM 3D printers, and provides users with slicing, control, and error checking functionality. With the source code now available to the public, users in the maker community will be able to tailor the software to their own specific requirements. This means that tech-savvy individuals will be able to integrate new features and program new hardware actions as and when needed.

Cel-UK董事总经理克里斯·埃尔斯沃西(Chris Elsworthy)指出:“我们非常自豪和兴奋地开放我们的工作,并为我们所有的伟大客户提供帮助我们和彼此的能力,继续发展我们的感觉是最伟大的事物之一FDM平台上的工作流程。”

The AutoMaker slicer's layout page. Image via CEL-UK.
The AutoMaker slicer’s layout page. Image via CEL-UK.

返回根源

七年前,当消费者3D打印实际上只是起飞时,Cel-UK通过Kickstarter广告系列推出了Robox 3D打印机。该系统是完全构建和现成的,它并不像今天那么普遍。像许多其他人一样,该公司利用开源社区的集体知识来加快其产品的开发,但迅速超越了该技术,并继续开发了自己的电子,硬件和软件,包括汽车制造商。

While many of CEL’s competitors at the time were closing the source on their technology for commercial reasons, the company wanted to build a more accessible ecosystem and reach a wider audience. The route it went down was one of semi-open-source, whereby customers were encouraged to tinker with the process but many of the inner workings of the technology were still hidden away. This approach enabled CEL to gain traction with businesses and schools but still limited the maker and open-source communities who sought after full access.

Elsworthy adds, “It has always been our intention to open up all our work for our customers to use, to allow the development of the platform to continue and ensure the community that we have worked so hard to gain continues with their investment into our project. It seems like a perfect time to open-source all our software so that our customers and anyone else that has followed our progress can scratch some of their own itches.”

The original Robox 3D printer by CEL. Photo via CEL-UK.
The original Robox 3D printer by CEL. Photo via CEL-UK.

A new chapter for CEL-UK

The public release of AutoMaker is only one part of the company’s vision for the near future, which includes the ongoing development of the Robox product range. Alongside the release, CEL-UK is also launching its new second-generation mainboard for use with its 3D printers. Fully backwards-compatible with all existing systems, the Robox Mainboard 2 comes complete with new features, improved motor driver chips, and reduced noise levels.

Elsworthy and his modest team have also spun-out a company calledQ5D Technology, which they are using to develop their new 5-axis FDM technology. According to the company, the project is ultimately intended to ensure “FDM stays at the forefront of additive manufacturing”.

The AutoMaker status page. Image via CEL-UK.
The AutoMaker status page. Image via CEL-UK.

Though not by choice, 3D printer OEMStratasyswill also be losing a set of proprietary rights later this week. The upcomingexpiration of patent US6722872B1将意味着全球制造商将能够利用该公司加热室的二十年设计。随着设备进入公共领域,高温工业FDM市场预计将在竞争中涌入。

Elsewhere, in the open-source community,RepRapfounder Dr. Adrian Bowyer MBE has previously made a blog postoutlining hisdesign for a solenoid bed heaterthat can be integrated with FDM 3D printers. Much like CEL-UK, Bowyer is a champion of open-source collaboration, and often posts proposals for novel devices that can be of use to DIY makers.

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Featured image shows the AutoMaker status page. Image via CEL-UK.