AstroPrint is a cloud platform and application marketplace designed for consumer 3D printing by 3DaGoGo Inc., a private San Diego-based technology company.
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | 3D Printing |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Drew Taylor, Daniel Arroyo, Joshua White |
| Headquarters | San Diego, CA |
| Products | AstroBox Gateway (open source), AstroBox Touch, AstroPrint Desktop, AstroPrint Mobile, Toy Maker |
| Brands | 3DaGoGo, AstroPrint |
| Services | software for 3D Printing |
| Website | astroprint.com |
AstroPrint develops software to enable the management of desktop 3D printers from any web-enabled device.[1][2] AstroPrint maintains partnerships with the National Institutes of Health,[3][4] 3D Hubs,[5] i.materialize,[6] and 3D Slash.[7][8] The 3D printer manufacturer Airwolf 3D ships 3D Printers integrated with AstroPrint software.[9][10]
History
In May 2014, while part of the Betaspring seed accelerator,[11] AstroPrint was successfully funded through the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Subsequently, AstroPrint attended and graduated from the 500 Startups[12] seed accelerator in Mountain View, CA. Notable investors in AstroPrint include Dave McClure, Will Bunker, Dave Hodson (Co-Founder & CTO of MessageCast Inc.[13]) 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.[14]
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.[15] Toy Maker,[16][17] 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
On May 18, 2015, AstroPrint received the Editors Choice award from Maker Faire & Make Magazine.[18] Tech Cocktail named AstroPrint one of "The Top 5 Technologies VCs Will Fund in 2015".[19]
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.[20]
In May 2017, AstroPrint received widespread media coverage for its second crowdfunding campaign.[21][22][23][24][25]
Technical specifications
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.[26] AstroPrint is built with a multitude of 3D printing technologies, including Cura, Repetier-Host, Slic3r, and OctoPrint.[3] 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.[27]
