Type A Machines Teams With Autodesk to Introduces Direct 3D Printing via Meshmixer

Although Autodesk has yet to begin selling their own SLA based 3D printers, which they unveiled earlier this year, that doesn’t mean that they are not already seriously competing for a portion of the rapidly growing 3D printing market. Autodesk’s Meshmixer has become quite the free 3D printing tool, for those looking to create and print designs quickly and easily.

Earlier in the year the company announced that they had teamed with Stratasys to support several of their 3D printers, which included the Makerbot Replicator 2. This allowed further integration of the software with the Makerbot Replicator devices.

Autodesk has not stopped there though. In a drive to make their software compatible with the printers used by a larger number of designers and 3D printing enthusiasts, today they announced that the Series 1 3D printer from Type A Machines is now compatible with their Meshmixer software as well, to a much higher degree than that of even the Makerbot line of printers.

“This level of functionality is a first in our industry and makes the Series 1 3D Printer the obvious choice for professionals using Autodesk software,” said Type A Machines CEO, Espen Sivertsen. “Teaming up with Autodesk brings the advantages of our extensible approach to both hardware and software to more professionals, makers and educators than ever.”

With this partnership, owners of the Series 1 3D printer, can now mix, mash, stamp, sculpt or paint their models within MeshMixer, hit the print button, and have their 3D printer begin fabricating that object in no time.

“Type A Machines makes an extensible, professional machine that creates prints up to one full cubic foot, which is ideal for users of Meshmixer software,” said Christian Pramuk, product manager at Autodesk. “Integrating the direct print feature with the click of a button aligns with Autodesk’s mission of unlocking creativity and helps provide users with a more simplified design-to-print workflow.”

As competition heats up between Autodesk and Adobe, within the expanding 3D printing space, we are certain to see even more partnerships along the way. Although Type A Machines’ Series 1 3D Printer is not as widely used as that of the Makerbot line of machines, the printer is certainly a force to be reckoned with. It was the recipient of the Editor’s Choice Award in PC Mag and Best in Class Award by Make: Magazine.  It is known for its long lasting durability, as well as large build volume.

Do you have a Series 1 Printer? Do you use Meshmixer? Let us know your opinion on this news in the Autodeck/Type A Machines Partnership forum thread on 3DPB.com.  Check out the video clip below, provided by Type A Machines, showing just how simple the Meshmixer integration is with their Series 1 3D Printer.