14 DAY TRIAL // There are many 3D printing companies in the world, and even more actual 3D printers, but no real common platform for them, and that's what PrintToPeer wants to fix, and is asking you to help fund.
Every company that makes 3D printers has a specially-developed software for it, and maybe an app or two that will render it usable to PCs and mobile devices (Apple iPhones/iPads, Android smartphones/tablets).
That means that, right now, you kind of have to stick to a single supplier if you run a school or company that could benefit from the technology.
PrintToPeer wants to remove that limitation. It describes itself as an operating system for all 3D printers in the world.
That means that it should be able to recognize and run all FDM plastic, DLP and metal 3D printers in the world, and at the same time to boot.
Of course, calling PrintToPeer an OS isn't totally accurate, since it's not just a piece of software, though that is the primary asset.
The product actually uses a Raspberry Pi micro PC (credit card-sized) to connect all the 3D printers you have in a network, and manage them at the same time. So you could control multiple printing processes at the same time.
This won't be much use to consumers, who aren't likely to need (or afford) more than one printer anyway.
Hackerspaces, 3D printer retailers, 3D printing services and schools are another kettle of fish entirely though. And it helps that the OS lets more than one use access the connected printers.
The PrintToPeer could be a great tool indeed. Intel could employ it to manage multiple 3D Systems printers while building its Project Ara modular smartphone, for example.
Alternatively, 3D printing services could use the thing to supervise projects being carried out by the DittoPro 3D Printer from Tinkerine, the semi-transparent Orange M-One and maybe even the Magical Finishing Box from Sky Tech.
That last one isn't a 3D printer, granted, but it's a device that makes 3D printed objects gleam and shine. If PrintToPeer doesn't already supported, we're pretty sure it will add compatibility in short order.
The project still needs to get funding after all, and kit won't be ready to ship before August 2014, so there's plenty of time to refine the software. After that, your Pi kit will probably receive monthly updates like any operating system or other web-connected program.
