Networked three-dimensional printing
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.
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; and
a database coupled in a communicating relationship with the print server and configured to store print queue data, status information, and a printer location 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,
wherein the print server is configured to receive a print request for an object associated with a venue from a mobile system remote from the plurality of three-dimensional printers, to determine whether the mobile system is located within a geo-fenced area of a predetermined location associated with the venue, to authorize execution of the print request only when it is determined that the mobile system is located within the geo-fenced area of the predetermined location, and, upon such authorization, to transmit the print request to one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers remote from the mobile system for fabrication.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile system includes at least one of a laptop computer and a tablet.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile system includes at least one of a cellular phone and a smart phone.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile system includes location awareness technology.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the mobile system includes a Global Positioning System.
6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the location awareness technology includes cellular network triangulation.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the print server is configured to initiate a print job based upon the print request at one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers closest to the printer location.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of three-dimensional printers include at least one fused deposition modeling system.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of three-dimensional printers include at least one stereolithography system.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the venue includes one or more of an amusement park, a museum, a theater, a sports arena, and a hotel.
11. A system comprising:
a three-dimensional printer including a network interface, the three-dimensional printer configured to receive a request to execute a print job from a mobile system of a user remote from the three-dimensional printer through the network interface; and
a processor on a print server accessible through a data network by the mobile system and the three-dimensional printer, the processor configured to control the three-dimensional printer and to manage a print queue based upon print queue data and status information for the three-dimensional printer, the processor further configured to receive the print job from the mobile system for an object associated with a venue, to determine whether the mobile system is located within a geo-fenced area of a predetermined location associated with the venue or whether the mobile system has visited the geo-fenced area of the predetermined location, to authorize execution of the print request only when it is determined that the mobile system is located within or has visited the geo-fenced area of the predetermined location, and, upon such authorization, to transmit the print request to one of a plurality of three-dimensional printers remote from the mobile system for fabrication.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the mobile system includes a cellular phone.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the mobile system includes a smart phone.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the mobile system includes a laptop computer.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the mobile system includes a tablet.
16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the mobile system includes location awareness technology.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the location awareness technology includes a Global Positioning System.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the location awareness technology includes cellular network triangulation.
19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the venue includes one or more of an amusement park, a museum, a theater, a sports arena, and a hotel.
20. 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; and
a database coupled in a communicating relationship with the print server and configured to store print queue data, status information, and a printer location 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,
wherein the print server is configured to receive a print request for an object associated with a venue from a mobile system remote from the plurality of three-dimensional printers, to determine whether the mobile system has visited a geo-fenced area of a predetermined location associated with the venue, to authorize execution of the print request only when it is determined that the mobile system has visited the geo-fenced area of the predetermined location, and, upon such authorization, to transmit the print request to one of the plurality of three-dimensional printers remote from the mobile system for fabrication.