3D printing factory + openSCAD web interface + cloud computing

Description

Hey guys! I'm hoping to bring 3D printing into mainstream manufacturing. I have an idea for an open source web platform that enables 3D design and printing from any device with WebGL capability. My team is made of a 3D printing designer and an engineer (myself). Essentially we're making a website with full OpenSCAD compatibility and connection to our own UK based 3D printing facility. User designs the part in openSCAD and can either export to STL (for home printing) or send to the factory. Users can also just upload parts to be manufactured. With regards to the features in need of devs, we require a 3D cost calculator (based on print time and setup costs), an openSCAD web interface (an idea I have is a jeOS virtual app that users remotely connect to) and finally the front end needs polishing. If you're interested in this project, and feel like you could help out, have a look at our GitHub Pages site in the URL - then contact us using the email on the site. Thanks!

Tech Stack

HTML, CSS, JavaScript, (need advice on back-end programming)

Current Team Size

URL

Ranter

V3N0M

Comments

0

Kanimaru

780

7y

What's the difference between this to 3dhubs.com/ ?
0

V3N0M

22

7y

@Kanimaru Hey, thanks for commenting!
Well, to answer your question, 3Dev UK started off as a 3D service bureau, and now we're looking to make the 3dev.io app in order to enable use of an OpenSCAD based web app to enable users to design parts in a programmatic way (similar to OpenJSCAD, but also optimized for mobile devices, not to mention our app would use OpenSCAD syntax), and print them from our app which will either be hooked into the Voodoo Manufacturing 3D facility. Users order the print and receive it via dropship.
0

Kanimaru

780

7y

@V3N0M thx for the answer and good luck
1

sudo-

261

7y

Hey this sounds like a fun idea and I'd like to help! I have some experience with web development in Groovy, so I could help you on backend stuff.
1

pete456

319

7y

Just a suggestion, what about adding cnc support for milling. Our school just got one and trying to find software to translate g code is a massive pain
0

mngr

940

7y

Very nice idea! I think too that this would be very usefull.
OpenSCAD... I think is a good start for little things, but it miss that plus that people need (unless you are a very skilled person).
For example, I noticed that printed things with round angle is less likely to delaminate, I print ABS, so delamination IS a problem.
This is an example of feature that I think that in openSCAD needs a bit of skill.

Other thing that can be added is the slicing software! So the user can produce the gcode without having a stl file.

I think this can be graphically heavy, not sure though. And no one will use laggy 3d editor.

It may be a site (like overleaf) or a pwa!

It will be hard to monetize with such project.

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