Connectivity in 3D printing

At first, managing 3D prints was a manual and fragmented process. Users heavily relied on SD cards, direct computer connections, or very basic firmware interfaces.

In the early years of domestic FFF, digital models were loaded into the printer using an SD card or by directly connecting a computer via USB or serial port. The printer’s firmware accepted G-code commands (previously generated by slicers running on a PC), but there was no environment to monitor the process during printing. The only sign of progress was the physical movement of the machine; remote control or temperature monitoring, for example, practically did not exist.

Image 1: RepRap printer connected to a laptop for print management. Source: geeksocket.in.

In professional or educational environments, work was often done within CAD/CAM software that converted models to STL, then to G-code, which was sent manually to the printer. Supervision was not centralized: each printer was operated locally. Slicing functions were rudimentary and required repeating physical processes (for example: loading files on SD cards, printing using a computer connected to the printer via USB, manual restart in case of failure). This implied a high level of operator attention and a high failure rate, especially in long or complex prints.

Image 2: Mendel printer with CAD software in a university environment. Source: WikiCommons.

Modern 3D print management began with Repetier in 2011, a platform notable for its efficient firmware and a Host/Server environment compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing integration of slicers like Slic3r or CuraEngine and real-time editing of G-code. Its professional version, Repetier-Server, introduced local network management and centralized control of multiple printers. Despite its unintuitive interface and manual setup, its versatility and power made it the de facto solution for professional environments until recently.

Image 3: Repetier-Server interface. Source: Repetier.

In 2012, Gina Häußge launched OctoPrint, a lightweight web interface that eliminated the need to connect the printer directly to a computer. With an extensible plugin system, OctoPrint allows temperature monitoring, print visualization via webcam, timelapse generation, and alerts. Its open philosophy, supported by an active community and Patreon funding, made it a standard in maker environments. Despite its flexibility, dependence on hardware like Raspberry Pi and lack of native tools to manage printer fleets limit its scalability in industrial applications. OctoPrint offers a web interface accessible from any device and advanced customization through its plugin system, but requires technical knowledge for complex configurations and does not provide enterprise-level security.

Image 4: OctoPrint interface with temperature graphs. Source: OctoPrint.

The arrival of Repetier and OctoPrint marked a before and after: it allowed controlling printers without constant computer connection, managing print queues, monitoring parameters, and handling jobs remotely. The evolution of desktop printer hardware gradually abandoned 8-bit controllers to adopt much more powerful 32-bit boards. This change enabled these machines to have better features like Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and even webcams. This increase in power and features also allowed parallel processing at higher speeds, opening the door to proprietary tools. Manufacturers thus developed integrated solutions, marking a significant change in how 3D printing was managed after this pioneering stage.

Image 5: RaspberryPi as a print server and controller. Source: creativetools.se.

First, these solutions provided plug-and-play integration between hardware and software. The user no longer needed to set up a Raspberry Pi system, install plugins, configure slicers separately, or manage manual file transfers. The manufacturer’s platform handled everything: from loading the model to remote control and management, all through the official app or web interface.

At a professional level, this approach enabled centralized and secure workflows. The possibility of performing cloud slicing and controlling multiple printers from a mobile device or browser facilitated automation of the printing process, eliminating the need for constant supervision and significantly reducing operational times.

Creality Cloud, launched in 2020, allows managing Creality printers, offering cloud slicing, remote control via mobile app or browser, and handling multiple devices. Creality Print synchronizes models and G-code with the cloud, integrating technical support and a user community. However, its ecosystem is restricted to Creality printers, and its traceability and security capabilities are limited, reducing its usefulness in professional environments.

Image 6: CrealityCloud, integrated with its store and model gallery. Source: Creality.

Similarly, Bambu Lab provides an integrated experience with its X series printers, combining automatic slicing, camera monitoring, and remote control. It has recently launched its multi-printer management service, Bambu Farm Manager. Although optimized for its hardware, its OEM approach limits compatibility with other brands, and its fleet management is less advanced than dedicated solutions.

Image 7: BambuFarmManager, the latest addition to BambuLab Cloud. Source: BambuLab.

Both Creality and Bambu Lab lack the scalability and security necessary for industrial environments, and their closed approach restricts versatility.

Meanwhile, Obico, formerly known as The Spaghetti Detective, introduced in 2019 an innovative approach with artificial intelligence that detects errors in real time, such as failed prints, pausing the job and sending alerts to minimize waste. Compatible with OctoPrint, Klipper, and Duet3D, Obico supports timelapses, statistics, and notifications, operating both locally and in the cloud. Although its problem identification is ideal for maker environments, it does not offer advanced tools for managing printer fleets or enterprise-level security, limiting its industrial application.

Image 8: Obico alerts about printing issues using AI. Source: Obico.

RaiseCloud, launched by Raise3D in 2018, redefines 3D print management with a professional approach that surpasses the solutions from Creality, Bambu Lab, and Obico. Designed for enterprise environments, this cloud platform integrates with ideaMaker to load .3mf or STL models, automatically assigning jobs based on printer availability. RaiseCloud allows real-time monitoring via cameras, parameter adjustments during printing, timelapse and snapshot generation, and detailed metrics recording such as filament usage, productivity by machine or user, and full print history. These capabilities are essential for sectors like automotive, architecture, and on-demand manufacturing. Additionally, with RaiseOcto, it extends compatibility to printers from other brands, overcoming the closed ecosystem limitations of Creality and Bambu Lab. RaiseCloud incorporates enterprise-level security with data encryption, key authentication, AWS-hosted firewall, and global CDN distribution, features absent in other platforms. It also automates workflows with configurable work orders and automatic task assignment, reducing manual intervention and improving efficiency compared to Repetier, OctoPrint, and Obico.

Image 9: RaiseCloud, supporting management of multiple printers. Source: Raise3D.

RaiseCloud allows, among many other things, managing workgroups that include multiple users who can control the linked printers. This avoids sharing credentials and streamlines workflow in professional environments, allowing easier management of multiple printers by several users.

Image 10: Advanced management of workgroups and tasks in RaiseCloud. Source: Raise3D.

RaiseCloud combines the flexibility of OctoPrint, the innovation of Obico, and the hardware and software integration of Creality and Bambu Lab, but goes further by offering a comprehensive solution that centralizes fleet management, automates processes, and guarantees high-level security. Unlike Repetier and OctoPrint, which require manual setups, RaiseCloud simplifies operation in complex environments. Compared to Creality and Bambu Lab, its universal compatibility and advanced traceability tools make it ideal for large operations. Compared with Obico, RaiseCloud does not detect errors but optimizes the complete management of 3D printing, from design to production.

Image 11: RaiseCloud allows managing third-party printers, such as the Prusa shown. Source: Raise3D.

While Repetier and OctoPrint stand out for their openness and flexibility, Creality Cloud and Bambu Lab for their integration with specific hardware, and Obico for its intelligent error detection, these solutions do not reach the level of automation, scalability, and security offered by RaiseCloud. This platform transforms complex processes into agile, secure, and efficient workflows, positioning itself as the reference for professionals in sectors requiring reliability, confidentiality, and full control, such as networked manufacturing, industrial maintenance, and on-demand production.