Web-based design tools for three-dimensional printing

摘要

Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a print server coupled through a data network to a plurality of three-dimensional printers, the print server configured to receive status information from each one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers and to manage a print queue for each one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers according to one or more criteria from a remote user requesting a print job; a database coupled in a communicating relationship with the print server and configured to store print queue data and status information for each one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers, wherein the stored print queue data and status information are used by the print server to manage the print queue; and a web server configured to provide a virtual workspace for the remote user to access capabilities of the print server, the virtual workspace including a web-based design interface that permits the user to create and modify a model, to search one or more remote databases of printable objects, and to manage subscriptions to one or more syndicated content sources, the web server further configured to receive a user command to fabricate the model, wherein the print server is configured to automatically select a first model from one of the syndicated content sources and direct the first model to a user-specified one of the three-dimensional printers.