DTaylor wrote:I'm not sure what you mean by 'less control.' Our slicer is Slic3r, on a cloud server. This means that you can do everything you can do with Slic3r. We will offer pre-sets for Slic3r for beginner that want them, but power users can manipulate every setting in Slic3r.
Hypothetically, let's say the version of Slic3r on your server craps out while processing a particular mesh or it has a bug that's not present in older versions, or someone simply prefers the output of a different version - in this case, they're left stranded with whatever is in the cloud. On top of that, if someone wants to use a commercial slicer (Netfabb, KISSlicer Pro, Simplify 3D) they can't and never will (unless you figure out some kind of a licensing deal).
DTaylor wrote:In regards to reliability: Once you hit print, the gcode is sent to the Linux board via wifi (Raspberry Pi, BBB, pcDuino, AstroBox, etc) and stored there through the entire print. This board is connected to the printer via USB. If you had some problem with your computer, it will not cause a failed print because your computer is now out of the equation.
It's usually not the PC that's the problem. It's the USB itself. For one, USB is typically not very robust w/ regards to EMI. A lot of people with 3D printers in workshops tend to avoid printing directly via USB for that very reason. Besides that, serial over USB is much slower than printing from a card and often leads to artifacting with complex, organic and/or textured prints (due to buffer underruns).
DTaylor wrote:In regards to your last part. I get the urge to print something while at breakfast all the time! But seriously, a lot of people want to monitor their prints without having to be by the machine. In addition, many people are using laptops instead of desktops with their printers. If you have to keep your laptop connected to a printer for 6 hours and cannot move more than 6 feet away, it's irritating.
Heh, i guess it's a matter of personal preferences and habits. I have an old laptop sitting by the printer at all times and i usually leave the printer unattended once the print is under way. But i understand there's probably people with wildly different setups and printing routines.
There is one aspect of your project i see as having a LOT of potential, and that's user friendliness and bringing 3D printing to a wider audience, so even if it's not my cup of tea - i like the gist of it.