How AstroPrint streamlines 3D printing management – Interview on features, improvements and future

AstroPrint, established in 2013 in San Diego, California, offers a cloud-based platform designed to simplify 3D printing workflows. The platform enables users to remotely control and monitor their 3D printers while providing tools for automated print queue management, cloud storage for 3D models, and browser-based slicing. These features are accessible through an intuitive interface, making the platform suitable for users of all skill levels. In an interview with 3Druck.com, AstroPrint discusses how its platform enhances efficiency through automation, accessibility, and industry advancements.

AstroPrint offers a free basic version that allows users to access core functionalities such as remote printer management, cloud storage, and an integrated slicer at no cost. This makes it easy for individuals and small teams to optimize their 3D printing processes without additional expenses. For more advanced needs, paid plans offer enhanced analytics, multi-user management, and enterprise-level integrations, catering to businesses and industrial applications.

Compatibility is a key aspect of AstroPrint, supporting a wide range of 3D printers available in the market. The creation of the platform would not have been possible without the work of numerous contributors in the open-source community. This broad compatibility ensures that users can integrate AstroPrint into their existing workflows without significant adjustments. Thanks to its cloud-based slicing capability, users can prepare 3D models directly from a web browser, eliminating the need for additional software installations. Once uploaded to the AstroPrint cloud, files can be sliced and printed remotely, improving efficiency and flexibility.

AstroPrint is widely used in education and maker communities, making 3D printing more accessible for students, educators, and collaborative spaces like Fab Labs and Hackerspaces. It is also utilized in industrial applications for prototyping, end-part manufacturing, and mass production, helping businesses streamline and scale their operations.

In 2024, AstroPrint was acquired by Print&Go, a company specializing in multi-brand and multi-device solutions for 3D printing workflow optimization. This acquisition aims to combine AstroPrint’s user-friendly platform with Print&Go’s industrial-grade tools, focusing on automation, traceability, and efficiency in additive manufacturing. The collaboration is expected to improve the overall user experience and expand the accessibility of cloud-based 3D printing management on a global scale.

Interview with AstroPrint

In the interview with 3Druck.com, AstroPrint discusses how its platform improves the 3D printing experience through automation, remote management and easy-to-use tools. The company also addresses industry trends such as AI, workflow optimisation and new materials, as well as AstroPrint’s collaboration with Print&Go to increase efficiency for different user groups.

In what ways does AstroPrint help to simplify the 3D printing workflow and experience, especially for beginners?

AstroPrint has been designed with a focus on accessibility and ease of use, making it an ideal solution for both beginners and advanced users. The platform allows users to manage 3D printers remotely and automate key processes, eliminating many of the technical barriers that can make it difficult to get started with 3D printing.

Some of the ways AstroPrint simplifies the workflow include:

• Intuitive cloud-based interface: No need to install complex software or perform advanced configurations—users can start printing quickly from any browser.
• Integrated cloud-based slicing: AstroPrint offers a unique built-in slicer, enabling users to prepare their files without downloading additional software. The system includes pre-configured profiles for different printers and materials, ensuring optimal results without requiring manual adjustments.
• Remote printer management: Users can control and monitor their printers from any internet-connected device without needing to be physically present.
• Cloud storage: Allows users to save, organize, and access 3D models from anywhere, eliminating the need for SD cards or USB drives.
• Automated workflow: Multiple print jobs can be managed without manual intervention, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
• Accessibility with a free version: Unlike many other solutions on the market, AstroPrint offers a free version, allowing users to access essential tools for managing their 3D printing without financial barriers.

Thanks to these features, AstroPrint enables both beginners and experts to focus more on creativity and design while the software optimizes the printing process.

How does the integration of AstroPrint’s user-friendly platform and community-driven approach with Print&Go’s professional tools enhance the overall 3D printing experience for your users?

Although AstroPrint and Print&Go remain independent platforms, both are continuously updated to bring out the best of each, offering a more efficient, accessible, and adaptable 3D printing experience for different types of users.

AstroPrint focuses on making 3D printing more accessible and user-friendly, with an intuitive cloud-based platform that simplifies printer management. Its community-driven approach has enabled makers, educational institutions, and general 3D printing users to access an easy-to-use ecosystem without requiring advanced technical knowledge.

Print&Go, on the other hand, is designed for the professional and industrial sectors, offering broader fleet management compatibility and advanced tools for automation, traceability, and security.

This combined evolution improves the user experience by providing:

• Centralized management of multiple printers across different environments.
• Greater security and control over printing processes.
• Workflow automation and resource optimization.
• Compatibility with a wide range of printers, from desktop models to industrial systems.
• Flexible access for individual users, educational institutions, and production companies.

As both platforms continue to evolve, users will benefit from a more complete and efficient 3D printing ecosystem, regardless of whether their focus is educational, maker, professional, or industrial.

3D printing has advanced significantly in recent years. Which innovations or technological breakthroughs do you consider particularly transformative for users?

In recent years, 3D printing has evolved with innovations that have improved its accessibility, efficiency, and automation across various sectors. Some of the most transformative advancements include:

• Cloud-based printing and remote connectivity: Platforms like AstroPrint have enabled remote 3D printer management, eliminating the need for SD cards or USB drives. This has optimized workflows and made printing possible from anywhere in the world.
• Automation and intelligent process management: The integration of automation tools, traceability, and artificial intelligence has allowed for more efficient fleet management, reducing errors and optimizing material usage.
• Robotics in 3D printing: The introduction of collaborative robots (cobots) in additive manufacturing is revolutionizing the industry, enabling the automation of repetitive tasks and improving productivity. With the use of cobots and robotic arms, companies can achieve 24/7 operations, optimizing production without interruptions.
• Advanced materials and multi-material printing: 3D printing has expanded with stronger, more flexible, conductive, and even biodegradable materials, increasing its applications in education, prototyping, manufacturing, medicine, and aerospace.
• Improvements in speed and print quality: Optimized slicing algorithms, multi-material printing, and new technologies have significantly reduced printing times without compromising quality.
• Greater accessibility and adoption in education: Thanks to user-friendly platforms like AstroPrint, 3D printing is no longer exclusive to experts. Its use in schools, universities, and makerspaces has grown exponentially, fostering creativity and hands-on learning.

These advancements have made 3D printing more intuitive, accessible, and efficient, benefiting individual users, businesses, and educational institutions while opening up new possibilities in digital manufacturing.

What role do you see artificial intelligence playing in the future of 3D printing, and how is AstroPrint preparing for this?

At Print&Go, we have been integrating artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time error detection during printing, achieving high success rates in process optimization and defect reduction. This advancement will also be incorporated into AstroPrint, further enhancing the user experience by making 3D printing smarter, more efficient, and safer.

AI is revolutionizing 3D printing, transforming manufacturing management, optimizing resources, and improving print quality. As the industry advances, AI will enable:

• Automated workflows, reducing production times.
• Improved traceability and security in additive manufacturing environments.
• Optimization of material and energy usage, making 3D printing more sustainable.

Key AI applications in 3D printing:

• Intelligent slicing optimization: AI analyzes 3D models, automatically adjusts parameters, and recommends optimal settings based on the material, printer, and intended use of the part, reducing the need for manual intervention.
• Workflow automation: AI learns usage patterns, optimizing production times and reducing operational costs.
• Real-time error detection and correction: Advanced sensors and algorithms detect print failures and adjust parameters to avoid material waste.
• Predictive maintenance: By analyzing real-time data, AI predicts when maintenance or component replacement is needed, preventing downtime.

AI is set to play a crucial role in the future of 3D printing, making the process more automated, precise, and resource-efficient. AstroPrint is actively working on integrating AI-driven solutions to stay ahead of these industry changes and provide users with an optimized and intelligent 3D printing experience.

Here you can find further information about AstroPrint.