BotQueue lets you control multiple 3D printing jobs

BotQueue it´s a nice iniciative from MakerBot co-founder Zack "Hoeken" Smith that lets you control multiple 3D printers through the Internet and turn them into your own manufacturing center. It is designed for users who: 1) have more than one printer (they have to be supported); 2) print a lot of different things for different projects.

Let´s say you have 10 printers making parts for 3D printer kits... you then should have 10 windows open in your computer for each file in progress, what can be messy to handle! 

BotQueue claims to eliminate this problem by distributing printing jobs between several printers (bots) such that if one of the printers is busy/out of service, the next available printer automatically takes over the next job...  all  this in a remote way through internet.

For accesing the app dashboard, you will need to create an account in www.botqueue.com and configure your printers parameters...It´s quite easy...just push Add Bot and fill in the fields. The app incorporates Slic3r as default slicing software, so you can even upload your config file and use your profiles in a simple way. 

Once you got all settings done, you need to download the client software Bumblebee and install it. For now they only have a Mac/Linux version...but I think a Windows version should be expected as well. A simple validation process is required in order to activate your computer as a client and then...voila! You have access to a control panel where can monitoring the progress of each of your printing jobs...you can even link web cams!

Now you can upload all your STL files, and Botqueue automatically will distribute and slice them according to each particular printer settings.

If you are a 3D printing heavy user, maybe this is for you. Anyway, I guess we'll see more of this kind of software in the near future, as a solution for new 3D printing business needs.

Gun control on 3D printing

A very discussed theme these days is the need for stronger gun controls. But a big debate about this topic that could lead to a serious review of legislation should consider all new ways of home manufacturing based on 3D printing.

A few months ago, somebody designed and built the first partly 3D printed weapon. It was a .22-caliber semiautomatic rifle AR-15, with a 3D printed lower receiver. The part was 3D printed in an old fashion Stratasys printer, using normal plastic at a $30 total cost, and then uploaded to Thingiverse to be available to all the world.

But if one can do it, everybody could. And as a result, a community of hobbyists have created "Wiki Weapon", some kind of RepRap project for sharing, designing and creating the first fully 3D printed gun.

A broader discussion about banning or not objects with a potential to become parts of illegal weapons came first to 3D printing community with questions as: Is the same printing a gun that buying one? What regulations apply (if possible) to these 3D printed parts? Is there a way to do it? But as 3D printing is growing rapidly, society need to be informed about it order to take part of discussion.

Days when somebody can print a gun and kill somebody are around the corner and legality issues about it are not clear at all.

3D printing will be a new revolution and will put in people's hands the power of making...but with great power comes great responsability.