Since the launch of Windows 8, Microsoft offers support for 3D printers. A new example app should offer support for different 3D printers over a Windows 10 IoT Core device.
The app is called „Network 3D Printer“ and was developed for Windows 10 IoT Core. That’s a special version of windows with only some basic features and some special futures for the internet of things. Therefore it needs less computing power and can run on different cheap, small and energy saving devices like the Raspberry Pi.
After installing the app a 3D printer can be connected with an USB plug to the respective Windows 10 IoT device (for example the Raspberry Pi). At present the app offers support for these 3D printers:
- Lulzbot Taz 6
- Makergear M2
- Printrbot Play, Plus and Simple
- Prusa i3 and i3 Mk2
- Ultimaker Original and Original+
- Ultimaker 2 and 2+
- Ultimaker 2 Extended and Extended+
That’s already a big step, especially for the users of a device with Windows 10 IoT Core. But Microsoft has also thought a little bit more into the future: The IoT device can be connected to a WLAN or LAN as every other device. After this step every Windows 10 computer can connect to the 3D printer over the IoT device. To print something the Windows 3D Builder app is recommended.
A detailed tutorial with all steps is available over the Microsoft Dev Center.
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