RoBo R1 3D Printer Becomes Independent Device with MatterControl Touch Upgrade

If you are as consumed with coming up with new digital designs and 3D prints for your R1 RoBo 3D printer like many makers are these days, you may often find yourself running back and forth between the 3D printer and your other devices—mainly a computer.

In this age of instant gratification, speed, and everything all-in-one, it seems like it’s time to bring it all together for 3D printing as well—and RoBo 3D agrees—which is why they have developed the MatterControl Touch upgrade for their 3D printers, allowing you to add not only a touch screen to your 3D printer but to turn it into a standalone device that’s online and independent.

With MatterControl Touch , you are able to add the following to your R1 RoBo 3D printer:

• Touchscreen interface for creating, preparing, editing 3D models
• Built-in camera
• User-friendly interface
• Wireless capability

Running on Android, MatterControl Touch was developed to give makers involved in the so-called ‘RoBolution’ a greater sense of independence and convenience, along with eliminating the need to jockey back and forth for what they appropriately call the “SD card shuffle.’ Essentially cutting the middle technology out of the mix altogether—the desktop computer—makers can spend more time creating with streamlined technology—and less time stopping, starting, and moving around.

On the flip side, you aren’t tethered anywhere as the software also allows you to check your print from any location, as long as you are online, with the added benefit of MatterControl actually sending you a picture of your finishing 3D print.

Referred to as a standalone controller, the device offers full control in color and retails as a package with the R1 printer from RoBo3D for around $1100. Upgrading with the standalone device allows users of the R1 to imbue their 3D printers with a functioning ‘brain’ – adding the complete package to an already impressive list of features for the R1, to include:

• Automatic leveling after a quick one-time process required on first use of the R1, which is never required again as the 3D printer will be perfectly level from then on.
• All metal hot-end which can be used for a wide range of materials, and printing at temperatures up to 290c.
• 100 micron resolution for precision results from very affordable equipment
• Upgraded linear motion system
• Large build volume at 10″ x 9″ x 8″
• SD Card, which allows you to print without being plugged in via USB. Soon, an update will also allow users to send files to SD cards and 3D print as well.
• Turnkey printing without any ‘tinkering’ required out of the box—the printer is ready to go, and an introductory video is included to help streamline the process of getting started.

RoBo 3D now also offers financing of their products through Affirm. “This is advantageous for individuals who don’t want to fork out a lump sum all at once,” RoBo 3D’s CEO Braydon Moreno told 3DPrint.com.

Founded in 2012 by a group of entrepreneurial 3D printing enthusiasts, the goal of Robo 3D has been to build high quality 3D printers that are affordable enough for the household and desktop, and arrive at the doorstep in a turn-key package so that anyone can turn concepts into tangible 3D printed models and prototypes.

Have you used any of RoBo 3D’s products? What do you think of the need for a standalone console like the MatterControl Touch? Tell us your thoughts in the MatterControl Touch Upgrade for R1 RoBo 3D Printer forum over at 3DPB.com.