Tick3D

3D Printing Service

Project description

We are intent to build a 3D Printing Service for serving those who want to own a 3D model for their purposes. We’ve got the hardware resource of a 3D printer called FLSUN-V400.

The system includes only one 3D printer located in one place. This printer has the following specifications: brand/manufacturer name, printer model, short description, firmware, local IP address, dashboard web interface.

To enable the printer, you need to access the printer’s local IP and upload .gcode files to the dashboard web interface. Howerver, this method is only used for printer managers, not for normal users, because:

• The printer can only be used in LAN network.
• Printer’s dashboard web interface is too complicated, no user authorization.
• There is no mechanism to prevent unintentional actions from users that can damage the printer, such as: uploading the wrong file type, uploading .gcode files that are not suitable for the printer type,…

Therefore, the software solution we offer is to build an online 3D printing service for many users, supporting the following features:

• Web sales platform accessed via the internet where users can order 3D models in one of two ways:
  • Uploading .gcode files that match the type of printer we own (FLSUN-V400). Our software does not support creating .gcode files, that is up to the user. Users can install UltiMaker Cura to slice .stl file to .gcode file and upload to the system.
  • We will recommend some available 3D models with .gcode files that we have created in advance for users to choose from.
• A screen displays product to buyers, including the following information: printing progress percentage, printing completion time and price to be paid,…
• A screen displays dashboard to printer manager, which can be similar to the printer’s dashboard web interface and add a few features such as: seeing how many orders are placed and the status of each order, enable/disable printer,…

Because we only have one printer, if there are multiple orders at a time, they will be placed in the printer's job queue. The manager will peel the product from the printer’s heater bed after printing is completed, press a button Continue printing on the system to move the product in the job queue to continue printing.

The system only accepts .gcode files. Furthermore, that .gcode file must be generated to suit the FLSUN-V400 printer, otherwise the system will block orders from users.

The system must log the history of each order, including: time of order, time of delivery, information of the person placing the order, the amount paid,…

The system is provided through a web-based app, does not support mobile app.

References

1. Klipper (Operating System): https://www.klipper3d.org/
2. Moonraker (API Web Server): https://moonraker.readthedocs.io/
3. Mainsail (Web Interface): https://docs.mainsail.xyz/
4. KlipperScreen (Screen Interface): https://klipperscreen.readthedocs.io/