3D Printing through Internet

3D printing technologies have surfaced well on the current technological scenario. From giving realistic views to early prototypes of designs to carving out some interesting pieces of art, 3D printing has fetched a permanent place in mainstream designing and printing world. A number of 3D printers have been well commercialized through mass funding websites as well as established corporations.

Now, power up 3D printing is this one of its kind Beagle Bone cape. Named as Replicape, this cape connects a 3D printer to the internet. Supplementing open source here is Python language which has been used to code Replicape. Through Python one can customize the printer and get the 3D output just as he likes. Besides being an open source hardware and software, this cape is filled with some interesting features, a few out of them are:

5 stepper motors (2.5A DRV8825) (X, Y, Z, Ext1, Ext2)
– 3 high power MOSFETs (PWM controlled) for 2 extruders and 1 HPB. (12..24V)
– 3 medium power MOSFETs (PWM controlled) for up to 3 fans/LED strips. (12V)
– 3 analog input ports for thermistors. noise-filtered inputs and option for shielding

-6 inputs for end stops (X, Y, Z).

– 1 bus for Dallas 1W temperature sensor for monitoring the cold end. Many sensors can be

added to any bus.

– Programmable current limits on steppers motor drivers (SMD). No need to manually adjust a pot meter.

– Microstepping individually programmable for each SMD from 1 to 32.
– All steppers are controlled by the Programmable Realtime Unit (PRU) for hard real time operation.
– Option for stackable LCD cape (LCD3). HDMI compatible LCD is also on the way.
– Single 12 to 24V PSU, fans are still 12V.

The internet is the ultimate paradise for design and data and once a 3D printer connects to it, the wonder flows down right to your desk. A great tool for education and instant designing, Replicape does a good job in giving 3D printing faster data retrieval through the internet.