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New Open Source 3D Printer Can Print Without Human Intervention (autodrop3d.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the rise-of-the-machines dept.

Slashdot reader mmiscool shares some videos about "the next step in 3D printing": Autodrop3d is an open source system that solves the problem of needing a human to remove a 3D print from its print bed. Implemented as an open source hardware and software system, it allows for web based, multi-user print queue, automatic notifications, and web-based CAD design tools to all be integrated in one open source system. There's a video that shows the hardware in operation and a link to the web site with a Git repository for the software and hardware components.
Autodrop3D is now raising money on Kickstarter, promising to show their support for open source innovation by "releasing all of our documentation, design files, and software prior to the end of this Kickstarter campaign."

And for $75 pledges, "we will 3D print an object of your choice and mail it to you.... You will also receive our heartfelt thanks."

29 of 49 comments (clear)

  1. Better than Oculus by martiniturbide · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I found more useful to support this project on kickstarter that is going to leave to the public open documentation, than supporting Oculus that made some guys rich and sold all the assets to Facebook.

  2. Old news by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 2

    I think I used this technology almost 50 years ago, at the zoo. I got a plastic elephant fabricated on demand with no human help.

    1. Re: Old news by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

      I hope she's using ninjaflex!

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    2. Re: Old news by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

      It also happens at the patent office, where they refuse to acknowledge anything that was patented before if you simply add "on the internet" to the patent.

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    3. Re: Old news by thinkwaitfast · · Score: 1

      Think of it as an official acknowledgement and leaves everything else up to a jury to decide.

    4. Re:Old news by Ly4 · · Score: 1

      Mold-A-Rama!

      Still available in some zoos:
      http://mold-a-rama.com/index.p...

  3. Re:Oh good grief by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

    3D printing is still a thing. Lathes, CNC routers and laser cutters are still a thing too.

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  4. Re:what happens when by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

    https://www.thingiverse.com/se...

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  5. Re:3D printers should be heavily regulated by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

    The RIAA is safe, even the best commercial-grade 3D printers have nowhere near the ability to 3D-print a compact disc. So while pirated CD jewel cases are possible, the RIAA can still rip us off by mandating taxes on blank CDs via their preferred corrupted congressmen.

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  6. Re:Oh good grief by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

    Not only that, it's open source 3d printing!

    Bonehead Assholeton is dusting off his pen, Retard Niquetamere is reborn.

    The golden age of slashdot has returned!

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  7. As someone that 3D prints a lot... by burhop · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Good idea? Sure. I hope they are successful. However, this only addresses one of many problems in automated printing.

    Slashdot worthy? No. Props to whomever got this kickstarter posted here. I'll watch your marketing career with great interest.

    1. Re: As someone that 3D prints a lot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Agreed. Am I missing something? All this machine does is scrape the model from the base plate. What about all the other human interactions? Does this machine cut away the print supports or the raft? Does it monitor the print and then stop the print if there is an error? After an error, does it pause to recalibrate itself?

    2. Re:As someone that 3D prints a lot... by freeze128 · · Score: 1

      Isn't that what Palpatine said?

    3. Re:As someone that 3D prints a lot... by burhop · · Score: 1

      Isn't that what Palpatine said?

      yeah. Watching much Star Wars, I have.

  8. Re:what happens when by thinkwaitfast · · Score: 1

    I think the reprap is far from complete. Personally, I think something like petman being able to run all of the machines and perform the assembly required to create itself is a lot closer.

  9. Re:3D printers should be heavily regulated by thinkwaitfast · · Score: 1

    I wonder if we could 3D print a newspaper.

  10. I use Coconut oil by goombah99 · · Score: 1

    Whenever I get a new 3D printer I smear down a layer of coconut oil on the desk underneath the whole unit. It doesn't take much, just a tablespoon is enough. That way after you print your first plastic tugboat and it looks like the same crap you got from the last one you can just slide the whole printer into the trashcan and haul it away. No human needs to remove the tugboat.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  11. Ok, why? by Opportunist · · Score: 2

    I admit I'm certainly not the person using his 3D-printer very heavily, but is there really a market for that? Personally, I am kinda wary to leave the 3D printer alone while it's working anyway.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  12. not likely by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    My prints would jamb and it would burst into flames all without human supervision

    1. Re:not likely by blindseer · · Score: 1

      My prints would jamb and it would burst into flames all without human supervision

      Is it possible you are holding it wrong?

      I had the problem of my 3D printer falling over, bursting into flames, and then sinking into the swamp until I figured this out.

      --
      I am armed because I am free. I am free because I am armed.
  13. Re:Oh good grief by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

    Poor A/C, I understand. Hay anyone, should inform this fool the world is not flat?

  14. Serious Suggestions? by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

    I'm looking at the CR-10s 3D printer because it has a build area of 500mmx500mmx500mm, the projects I'm working on need that size. Suggestions?

  15. Re:3D printers should be heavily regulated by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

    A/C, stay away from hot stove, I don't think I need to 'splain do I?

  16. Re:3D printers should be heavily regulated by thewolfkin · · Score: 2

    the problem is it's too hard to program a simple 3d printer to know what a bump stock or gun part is and it's too trivial to modify a design if it's been blacklisted. Money has a hard design that's accepted. Everyone trying to make money is going for the literal same design. anything close triggers your printer (and i hope not because that's annoying) but it's easy enough to solve. You can't do that with a gun part.

    --
    Just another second banana
  17. NSFW Logo? by thewolfkin · · Score: 1

    what's thepurpose of having a NSFW logo? I mean not even porn companies have NSFW logos. Really shows howserious they are.

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    Just another second banana
    1. Re:NSFW Logo? by mmiscool · · Score: 1

      We made the 3d printer publicly available on the internet for a short period of time. You can only imagine the giant pile of phallic shaped objects we came back to in the morning.

  18. Re:what happens when by Hal_Porter · · Score: 1

    I think something like petman being able to run all of the machines and perform the assembly required to create itself is a lot closer.

    It's probably inevitable. Do you mean this Petman? It's technically very cool, but incredibly creepy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

    --
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  19. Re:what happens when by thinkwaitfast · · Score: 1
    Yes, that petman.

    Trying to make a self reproducing box is a silly and futile endeavor and people have been looking at the problem inside out.

  20. Cheap printing by vision4print · · Score: 1

    The best way to promote any business online in just 4 steps. If you are looking for cheapest printing services in the uk then vision4print helps your boost up your business to peak level. cheap flyers printing in uk