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The Best Mobile Apps for 3D Printing for 2023 to 2024

· 23 min read

Introduction:​

3D printing is an incredible technology, allowing individuals to transform digital designs into tangible objects. With the rise in popularity of 3D printing, the need for mobility and ease of monitoring has become increasingly crucial. This is where mobile apps come into play, allowing users to manage, monitor, and even design 3D prints right from their smartphones. In this article, we delve deep into the world of 3D printing mobile apps, focusing on OctoPrint, Klipper related apps and others that have become essential tools for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Why mobile apps for 3D printing are useful?​

3D printing, once a niche hobby, has quickly expanded into various sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and even at-home projects. With the growth of this technology, the tools surrounding it, notably mobile apps, have seen a surge in development. Mobile apps for 3D printing have brought forth a revolution in how individuals interact with their printers. Here are compelling reasons why these mobile apps are becoming indispensable for 3D printing enthusiasts and professionals alike:

  1. Remote Monitoring: One of the most significant advantages of using mobile apps is the ability to remotely monitor print jobs. You don't need to be physically present near the printer. This is especially useful for lengthy print tasks, ensuring that you can keep an eye on the progress from anywhere, anytime.
  2. Instant Notifications: Many 3D printing apps come with push notification features. This means you'll be immediately informed of any errors, when a print job is complete, or if there's a need for intervention. It significantly reduces the chances of print failures and wasted material.
  3. Streamlined Workflow: Mobile apps often incorporate an end-to-end solution from design to print. You can tweak designs, adjust settings, and then directly send them to the printer, all from a single interface.
  4. Accessibility: Mobile apps offer unparalleled accessibility. Whether you're at home, in the office, or even on vacation, you can control and monitor your 3D print jobs. It's especially useful for professionals who manage multiple printers or run 3D printing businesses.
  5. Storage and Libraries: Some apps come with cloud storage, allowing users to store their designs online. This not only offers a backup for your projects but also allows you to access them from any device. Moreover, many apps provide integrated libraries with pre-designed models, saving time and effort.
  6. User-Friendly Interface: Mobile apps, designed for diverse user bases, often prioritize user-friendly interfaces. This means even if you're relatively new to 3D printing, you can navigate and use these apps with ease, making the printing process more approachable.
  7. Integration with Other Tools: Many 3D printing apps integrate seamlessly with design tools, scanners, and other software, creating a unified platform for all your 3D printing needs. This integration streamlines processes and enhances efficiency.
  8. Community and Support: Several mobile apps have built-in communities where users can share designs, offer solutions, and provide support. This collaborative approach accelerates learning and problem-solving.
  9. Cost Savings: By being able to closely monitor and control print jobs, users can reduce errors and material wastage. Instant notifications and real-time monitoring can prevent failed prints, ultimately saving costs in materials and energy.
  10. Scalability: For businesses or institutions with multiple 3D printers, mobile apps can offer centralized control. This means managing multiple print jobs across different devices becomes more straightforward and organized.

Klipper Remote Access - Safe and Secure

· 9 min read

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The Klipper firmware allows you to wirelessly connect and access your 3D printer from your home network. You can control your Klipper printer using a smartphone, a laptop, or a tablet, as long as the printer and the device are connected to the same home network.

But what happens when you want to go outside and monitor your prints, or the home network's out, and you want to use the mobile network? The stock Klipper firmware is limited to giving you wireless control, not complete remote control.

This is where Obico steps in.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to remotely access your Klipper 3D printer using Obico. We'll also walk you through the installation and configuration process and examine how the Klipper remote access will benefit your 3D printing workflow.

Read on to discover the exciting possibilities of remote Klipper Access!

Obico First Layer AI (codename: Celestrius) Alpha Program!

· 3 min read

Since our early days as The Spaghetti Detective, Obico has been at the forefront of 3D print failure detection. Today, over a hundred thousand makers trust our technology, with almost one million failed 3D prints caught to date!

The Obico team has been working on something new for a while, and we are excited to announce it today!

We are launching the Alpha Program of our nozzle camera-based First Layer AI Inspection (codename: Celestrius)​

For the past several months, we’ve been working with about 50 early pilots (thank you if you are one of the pilots!) to collect millions of images. With a huge amount of effort, we were able to successfully build an initial version of the AI.

Now we are ready to invite you to participate in the alpha program to get early access to this amazing technology!

Ten Must Have Upgrades for Prusa Mk3 3D printers in 2023

· 10 min read

Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D printer/Courtesy: Prusa

Every maker around the world knows that the Prusa i3 MK3 S/MK3S+ 3D printer is a best-in-class 3D printer that not only delivers high-quality prints but is also accurate and reliable. However, as technology evolves and the needs and desires of the user and the customer change, it becomes necessary to keep your printer up to date while also making the process simple. As a result, we've compiled a list of the top ten must-have upgrades for your Prusa i3 MK3 S/MK3S+ 3D printer.

Need for Upgrades​

If you own a 3D printer, you are probably aware that 3D printing is not as simple as it may appear. It has a steep learning curve and can be irritating at times. But what makes it all worthwhile are the custom products you can create with it, the time you save, and the money you can save and even earn with your printer. To ensure that you are always eager to print more and more, it is important that you regularly upgrade your printer.

These upgrades are not only required because they can improve the capabilities of your printer, but they also help you make the process a lot easier, friendlier, fun, and organized.

Upgrades for your Prusa i3 MK3 S/MK3S+ 3D printer​

Printer Enclosure: To improve print quality​

Original Prusa Enclosure/Source: Prusa

Klipper Interfaces - A Quick Overview

· 8 min read

Introduction​

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Picture Source : LazaroFilm via Reddit

Tired of the limited and uninspiring interface options that come with your 3D printers? Need a full-fledged user interface that’s easy to use yet rich with features? Well, Klipper is here to save the day!

Klipper is an open-source firmware that revolutionizes how you interact with your 3D printers. With its various interface options, you can control and access your machines like never before. These interfaces provide a refreshing experience that enhances your entire 3D printing process.

This piece goes into detail about Klipper Interfaces, explaining what they are, why you need them, and which ones are the best. Our goal is to tell you about the different interface choices Klipper has and help you choose the one that works best for you.

So, buckle up, and let’s Klipp-on some interfaces!

The Best Octoprint Plugin Pack for Beginner Users

· 14 min read

Introduction​

Alt text Octoprint has changed the way we use 3D printers in more ways than anyone could have thought. Wireless 3D printing, failure detection, smooth time-lapse movies, and a ton of other features make it one of the best 3D printing software on the market today.

Some of these features are built into the program, and others are made possible by the plugin system. The "plugins" allow users to perform a wide variety of operations and increase Octoprint's use.

It can be difficult to know which plugins to install first and what they do as a newbie while setting up a 3D printer. In this article, we’ll help you figure out this ''plugin'' situation and guide you through installing them simply via a Plugin pack.

We’ve compiled a list of the best 11 plugins in Octoprint that you, as a beginner, should take notice of. The purpose is to get you up and running quickly with Octoprint and ensure that you get the most out of it.

Let's get started!

ABS Smoothing - All You Need To Know

· 12 min read

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Picture courtesy : adonutforeveryone via Reddit

ABS is an amazing material for 3D printing. It's a type of industrial plastic that was used as one of the first materials for 3D printing in the 1990s. But even ABS can't escape the problem of FDM 3D printing: layer lines.

Fused deposition modeling inherently produces layer lines. It makes your 3D-printed parts special, but let's face it, layer lines don't look good on every model. They make your models look less professional and take away from their visual charm.

Thankfully, you can entirely conceal these layer lines in your ABS components with little post-processing. ABS Smoothing is a process in which the layer lines totally melt, giving your parts a smooth, shiny surface.

In this piece, we'll learn everything there is to know about this process and show you how to make professional-looking 3D prints. Let's print some ABSolutely amazing creations!

The Best Klipper 3D Printers in 2023

· 15 min read

Introduction​

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Picture Courtesy: Voron Design

Klipper is quickly becoming a popular 3D printing software among both hobbyists and pros. Klipper firmware for 3D printers has a bright future because of its high printing rates, impressive feature set, and open-source architecture.

In this piece, we'll surf this new wave of Klipper 3D printers. We'll go over the basics of Klipper firmware, look at what makes it so great, and find out which printers use Klipper as their default firmware.

Let’s Klipp some printers!

Klipper Webcam Setup using Mainsail

· 18 min read

Introduction​

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Klipper and Mainsail are one of the best software pairings for 3D printers you can find today. Both of these programs keep getting better over time so that users can have a better printing experience.

Today, we're going to look at the camera streaming part of Mainsail-Klipper. Mainsail's Crowsnest streaming service recently added the camera-streamer project. This makes it easy to get high-quality video from your webcam without using a lot of data.

Everything you need to know about this revision is included in this article. We'll look at how to add a single camera or multiple cameras, as well as how to get a high-quality video stream of your 3D printer to your laptop.

Let's set sail and get the cameras ready!

How to Install Klipper Themes

· 8 min read

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Picture courtesy: Mainsail

Klipper is fast, it's smooth, and it's really cool. It is quickly becoming the most used software for 3D printers. More and more commercial printers are being built using Klipper, and even more and more printers are being upgraded by enthusiasts so they can use Klipper.

Every day, more and more people hop on the Klipper train, which means that customization is more important than ever. Why shouldn't the printer's firmware be personalized by the user, much like the printer's brand, symbol, and 3D prints?

Today, we'll talk about how you can change the look and feel of your Klipper 3D printer to make it your own. This piece will go over Themes in Mainsail and Fluidd and help you personalize your machine to your liking.

Let’s Klipp away and custom-fit your machine to your taste!