Spanish 3D printer manufacturer BCN3D Technologies announced that it is acquiring the cloud-based additive manufacturing platform AstroPrint. The acquisition agreement was first signed back in April with the transaction successfully completed this past July. AstroPrint’s cloud technologies will be integrated into the BCN3D Cloud to help streamline the customer user experience. According to BCN3D, it is aiming to further optimize the performance of its machine solutions through “deep software and hardware integration” while also working on more innovative features. Besides deploying the software team to work on the future development of BCN3D’s 3D printing solutions, the company has also expressed plans to eventually create a new cloud-based platform.
“We see this as a new chapter in our quest for offering the absolute best possible solution to clients across both hardware and software,” said BCN3D CEO Xavier Martínez Faneca. “We are certain that this acquisition of a company with such expertise in this field will serve to boost our BCN3D printing profile to its full potential, and that the merging of our teams will undoubtedly entail countless benefits.”
AstroPrint is based in San Diego, Calif. and currently has over 200,000 registered users located in 130 countries. The AstroPrint cloud platform is specially designed for the multi-user management of 3D printing machines. It enables users to leverage multiple print queues, share additive manufacturing resources across facilities and departments, and utilize advanced analytics to optimize 3D printing productivity. Manufacturers will be able to remotely monitor and automate print production processes under a unified platform, ensuring consistent quality and priority printing.
The AstroPrint cloud platform is compatible with a variety of fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers. Users have also reported that it can work with Anycubic, MakerBot, LulzBot, and Ultimaker printers. In terms of integration with BCN3D’s machines, Sigma, Sigmax, Plus, and R printer systems should also be compatible, though this has not yet been confirmed by the company. There have also been no announcements regarding whether certain systems will need an AstroBox Gateway kit to connect 3D printers to the cloud. However, these are still expected to run natively with BCN3D’s technologies.
The AstroBox is available in Touch and Gateway versions and will enable users to control their 3D printing setup via AstroPrint’s software. AstroPrint has already announced that it will be making the AstroBox Touch Software available for free for all AstroPrint users. OctoPrint users may also access AstroPrint through a plug-in. Other products in the company’s current portfolio include CAD design file storage and in-browser slicing programs.
According to BCN3D, the AstroPrint platform will still continue to run independently and develop new features for its existing user base. This is currently BCN3D’s first acquisition since the company became independent back in 2019. It will continue to explore inorganic growth opportunities as it aims to further “develop its long-term vision of providing high-grade solutions.” To kick-start the process, BCN3D has appointed AstroPrint cofounder and CTO Daniel Arroyo the new chief software officer at BCN3D.
“Our collaboration with BCN3D brings us the challenge and pleasure of developing more advanced solutions for BCN3D clients,” shared Arroyo. “We are super excited to pair our software with BCN3D’s hardware in order to unlock tremendous value via deep hardware and software integrations and innovations.”
For more information, visit BCN3D’s official website.