MyMiniFactory
One of the main issues looming over 3D printing is the ‘barrier to entry’ - usually regarding the seemingly high costs of 3D printers themselves. But with costs quickly coming down and options made available, there’s another hurdle in the way that stands to prevent users from becoming makers – software.
Today, CEL, the name behind the Robox plug-and-print 3D printer, is taking a big leap to combat this issue by launching Version 1.01 of its free AutoMaker software as a fully featured software suite.
Previously used solely as a development tool for Robox, AutoMaker now comes fully equipped with MyMiniFactory functionality, providing users with access to the iMakr founded online library for 3D prints.
Robox users without in depth CAD knowledge now have the option to simply select a design from the MyMiniFactory library and access the file from within the AutoMaker project screen.
The latest version of AutoMaker also incorporates the open-source Cura slicing engine alongside the Slic3r engine present in the early versions of AutoMaker. The addition of Cura will produce faster, better quality prints for machines with Bowden tubes like Robox. A bespoke slicer engine is currently in the works aimed specifically at the Robox 3D printer.
“Creating a truly plug-and-print 3D experience is as much about software as hardware,” commented Chris Elsworthy, CEO of CEL. “With this release of AutoMaker, the Robox project now offers the most consumer-friendly 3D printing experience on the market. Our current users getting the new AutoMaker will experience an immediate improvement in the reliability and the quality of prints, while new users will find the Robox system more accessible than ever.”
Romain Kidd, CEO of iMakr Group, added: “It's tremendously exciting for MyMiniFactory to be the world's first independent marketplace of 3D printable files to team up with a 3D printer manufacturer – even more so given that CEL shares our vision of widening access to this amazing technology.”
CEL plans to integrate additional online libraries into the AutoMaker software in the future.
