Yes, that is the main motive - To be able to completely automate the 3D printing process. You should be able to do everything including removal of existing print from the bed, changing the material and print settings if needed, and starting a new print from any web connected PC or mobile device.
Probably, in recent future drones can carry them to the nearest post office for customers who need shipping. Who knows?
I always try to apply the K.I.S.S. principle to just about everything in life. At least the best that I can. I think its a cool idea but from my perspective is if all your trying to do is eliminate a 30 minute commute to the office I would be loading those two Desktop printers into my car and bringing them home. Making my home my office and eliminate the overhead of an office and with the increased revenue by a couple more cheap desktop printers. Just seems like more of a hassle than it would be worth.
I would like to respond to this, I build an enclosure around my 3D printer with a door and there is insulation on the inside of the box. In the box i mounted an automatic fire extinguisher (Automatic Fire Extinguishers for Boat Engines & Server Rooms 2 ). I leaf my printer printing all the time, did jobs close to 48 hours and u can’t stay home that long. It is a very cheap solution for if the printer really gets on fire. The only disadvantage is that the powder will ruin the printer and probably damage some stuff close the printer, but i don’t expect my printer to get on fire. It’s just a safety measure i never hope to use, but if i need it, i only need a new printer and enclosure and not a new house (and other emotional stuff).
I bought the automatic fire extinguisher at a grow shop in Holland were they sell stuff to build your own weed house (u can imagine the fire hazard of having this in your house )
U can also buy a automatic fire extinguisher they use in server rooms and campers (but they are over 300 euro’s). They contain foam or co2 and they wont severely damage the printer and especially the surroundings if it is in a room with furniture, carpeting or other stuff u surely don’t want to replace after the fire extinguisher went off.
I feel your pain. For construction lasercutting is definentely the way to go. Unfortunately I have no experience on the software side of this but i do know with a rasperry pi you can controll gpio in conjunction with something like octoprint. However I do have a ton of experience in manufacturing as well as the mechanical aspects. Good Luck on your project. -Alexander
Fair enough! Though I wonder, given the enclosed space and small volume could you potentially “make” an extinguisher with a CO₂ canister for IDK, airsoft etc?
Might not be a point even considering it but I’m curious.
This is good idea. I also have your probelm. I think many pepole interest and buy if you can make a robotic arm cost around 200-500USD, and really handel 3d printing automate that process.
If you’re still interested in doing this but 10x bigger, then shoot me an email at sloiczly@gmail.com. The high level idea is to be able to create a town with an autonomous 3D printing robot. Imagine a self driving car but remove the hood and add 4,5,6+ 3D printing arms! Email me and we’ll talk more.