KODAK Portrait 3D printer targets educational & professional market with 3DPrinterOS integration
3DPrinterOS, one of the leading operating systems for 3D printers, has announced it will be powering the upcoming KODAK Portrait 3D Printers by Smart International. Through the agreement, the highly anticipated KODAK 3D printers will be bundled with 3DPrinterOS Cloud 3D Printer Management software with the “goal of driving mass adoption of the technology in educational institutions and enterprises.”
For 3DPrinterOS, a company backed by Vulcan Capital, the private equity firm of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the partnership with Smart International (Kodak’s global brand licensee for 3D printing) will see it making inroads into professional organizations. Currently, 3DPrinterOS’s software powers 3D printers at universities across the U.S., including Duke, Yale and Harvard, and is used by high-profile companies such as Bosch.
“We are extremely proud to integrate our software with the launch of this new professional KODAK 3D Portrait Printer,” said John Dogru, 3DPrinterOS CEO. “This is a big step towards mass adoption and compatibility. Very similar to the success DOS and IBM experienced with the PC in the 80’s, 3DPrinterOS believes in the same vision to combine our expertise in software, chemistry, and manufacturing to build a class leading product.”
Announced in late 2017, the KODAK Portrait 3D printer is a professional machine equipped with a robust steel forged hardware, dual extrusion with lifting nozzles, a safety-enclosed temperature controlled chamber and temperature support of up to 300°C. The KODAK Portrait printer, which comes with a 4-year warranty, is retailing for the competitive price of $2,999.
By bundling the 3D printer with 3DPrinterOS software, the idea is to offer research institutions “access to dependable devices.” Universities or businesses that invest in a KODAK machine will be able to network existing 3D printers through the 3DPrinterOS software, easily manage their files, share access to the machines and print from any networked computer, smartphone or tablet.
In other words, KODAK Portrait 3D printer users will have the advantage of a centralized system for easy management of users, printers, print queues, designs, material expenses and more. As 3DPrinterOS specifies in a press release, users will even be able to track printing statistics on a per user basis as well as on a design and machine basis. These statistics can give valuable insight into print failures and material usage which can lead to better performance and results.
Further, with the combination of 3DPrinterOS and the KODAK Portrait, users can import and manage design files from third party platforms like Autodesk, SolidEdge, SolidWorks, SpaceClaim and more. They can also upload design files to the cloud which can be accessed from any connected device and monitor printed objects remotely. This level of connectivity is ideal for students or research groups who may need to confer on a print without being in the same physical space.
“We are happy to announce this partnership with 3DPrinterOS, the leading operating system for 3D printers, aimed at providing the best-in-class 3D printing experience to our users,” commented Roberto Gawianski, CEO of Smart International. “As desktop 3D printers become an empowering solution for enterprises and schools, there’s a growing need for management software able to deploy their full capabilities to all users.”
Currently, the KODAK Portrait 3D printer is available for pre-order on Kodak’s website. The company also offers a range of 3D printing filaments that have been specially engineered for moisture control and dimensional accuracy. “This professional printer is easy to use, with class leading software, hardware and materials all working together to deliver a reliable experience,” added Dogru.
