Anyone who's operated a 3-D printer knows there is more to it than just quickly designing an idea and pressing "print." In order to get good parts without errors, artistry is required. A designer needs to balance their design with the machine that is being used, how the part is oriented, and where it's placed on a build platform. Make the wrong choice and you could spend hours and hundreds of dollars on a part with the 3-D equivalent of a typo.
WillIt3DPrint.com, a web app that acts like spell check for the 3-D printed age, aims to alleviate the fears of trying to print an unoptimized design by letting you know how it will turn out before you output it to your printer.
The service allows makers to upload an .STL file and instantly see how it will print on a variety of different machines — from six-figure pro tools to humble hobby setups. The interface provides a color-coded assessment of the part, visualizations of which parts will be most challenging to print, and even an estimate of the object's carbon footprint.
This free tool is provided by Econolyst, an additive fabrication company based in the U.K. that provides consultation on 3-D printing to companies like Nike, GE, Bentley, and Airbus. They work with big companies, but also have a broader mission to help grow the use of additive fabrication. WillItPrint3D.com is targeted at the maker community, but Econolyst also has programs aimed at figuring out how to use these tools to improve conditions in the developing world.
Images: Econolyst
