Jul 15, 2015 -- PRINTR, a Dutch startup based in Amsterdam and Enschede, is changing the 3D printing landscape with FORMIDEOS. It was developed to create a streamlined 3D printing experience. It’s no secret that the 3D printing experience today revolves around reliable hardware as well as software. A clogged nozzle can ruin in the entire experience even if the software is perfect and vice versa. To fill that need, PRINTR created the hardware and software (side-by-side with the industry’s most promising 3D printer manufacturers) needed to create a productive and painless 3D printing experience. When you purchase a 3D printer integrated with FORMIDEOS, the user can start printing right away. It redefines the meaning of plug-n-print.

“We initially wanted to raise funds through a crowdfunding campaign, but we weren’t able to raise the set goal. However, when we opened the pre-order system and saw the overwhelming response, we knew we wanted to be able to get the best possible product to our supporters. This industry is volatile, so we took a look at what was already available, reviewed other ecosystems, and decided to raise the bar. We wanted to hold back our release until we knew our product was ready.” - Douwe Mulder, CEO

FORMIDEOS is the operating system that changes how the industry uses 3D printers. This OS includes easy printer setup, an interactive printer console, and full-support for multiple printers. There is also an extensive list of settings for countless customization possibilities within the included slicer, Katana, as well as various settings for the materials available to the user.

“We take care of the whole process that is involved in 3D printing bringing it back to the single print button. We believe it should be just as easy to print a 3D model as it is to print a Word document.” - Douwe Mulder, CEO

Currently, parts of FORMIDEOS are open-source and are ready to be customized, built upon, and tinkered with. Though, FORMIDEOS is currently in beta, it does include the ability to create 3rd party modules.

Sections that are open-source:

• The client, a node.js program that ties together the slicer, drivers, cloud and local interface.

• The interface, a mainly AngularJS front-end that allows you to control your 3D printer over a local network.

• The development kit, which is already on GitHub ( https://github.com/PRINTR3D/devkit-app).

Created with Dutch ingenuity and manufactured in the Netherlands, The Element is a complimentary piece of hardware to FORMIDEOS. This gives 3D printers features such as wifi capability, over-the-air updates, remote monitoring and control, all with a plug and play set-up. For the aftermarket consumer, it will be a mineral-shaped piece of hardware that plugs directly into the 3D printer. Those who pre-ordered will receive their Element by the beginning of September.

FORMIDEOS beta is available for a test drive on a raspberry pi. Registration is now open on developers.formide.com to get started. To learn more about the beta version of FORMIDEOS, see our development website. To follow our development process, visit our dev blog at formidedev.tumblr.com.

PRINTR is a Dutch startup company created to streamline the 3D printing experience. As a spin-off from the University of Twente, PRINTR was established in Enschede in 2014 and has now expanded to offices in Amsterdam and Enschede.