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The Polar Cloud is an American software platform for 3D printers that is owned and operated by Polar3D, LLC.[1] The platform was launched in March 2017[2] and is now home to over 500,000 users in 160 countries. The platform is home to several programs and initiatives, including the Boys & Girls Club of America,[3] GE's Additive Education Program,[4][5] and a recent COVID-19 Mask Making effort.[6][7]
 The Polar Cloud Enabled Logo | |
Type of site | 3D printing marketplace |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 1, 2014 |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Industry | Education Technology |
| Parent | Polar3D, LLC |
| URL | polar3d.com |
| Registration | Optional |
| Users | 484,598 |
| Current status | Active |
As of December 2020, members have performed over 1.697 million 3D Prints on the platform, making it the largest remote 3D printing platform and service in the world.
History edit
Acquisitions and milestones edit
In April 2016, Polar3D acquired STEAMtrax curriculum from 3D Systems.[8] STEAMtrax is an NGSS aligned STEM curriculum that incorporates 3D Printing and is accompanied by a physical kit for completion in the classroom.
In October 2016, the Polar Cloud reached 100,000 3D Print jobs.[9]
Beer Hall Mask Factory edit
Starting in April 2020, Polar3D collaborated with local non-profit Cintrifuse and Infotrust to help run the "Beer Hall Mask Factory",[10] a volunteer effort to produce a 3D Printed mask designed by Spanish outfitter, LaFactoria3D for frontline workers who had limited supply at the time. The 3D printers ran for a total of 85,873 hours and produced a total of 26,285 masks. The printers were then donated to schools around the globe.
Services edit
The Polar Cloud allows you to connect your 3D Printer for remote monitoring and printing via a web browser. 3D Printers that have adequate processors and networking components onboard can connect natively, running the code on the machine itself. Popular manufacturers that have cloud-enabled their machines are Flashforge, Dremel Digilab, Monoprice, Sindoh, and Ultimaker.
3D printers that lack the power necessary require the use of a Raspberry Pi and a plugin, through the open source Octoprint application. Most of the printers added using this method are manufactured by either Creality or Prusa Research.
Polar has recently added a commerce functionality to the platform by using Stripe (company) to allow published objects to be "tipped" or purchased at a price set by the user. Schools that use the platform can also accept one-time or monthly (i.e. recurring) donations.
Programs and adoption edit
GE Additive Education Program edit
GE Additive (a subsidiary of General Electric that supports GE Aviation) contacted Polar3D in April 2017 to help administer[11] the GE Additive Education Program to its global audience. In the first two years of the program, the GE AEP donated over 1,400 polymer 3D printers to 1,000 schools in 30 countries, providing access to technology and curriculum to more than 500,000 students.[12] Jason Oliver, President & CEO of GE Additive had this to say about the program and its beginnings:
"The sooner we put additive technology in the hands of the next generation of engineers, materials scientists and chemists, the sooner we can realize its potential”
GE Additive has been using Concept Laser machines to 3D print metal parts for the LEAP engine and believes that the program will help garner interest in additive manufacturing and empower students[13] around the globe.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Polar 3D LLC - Company Profile and News". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "How This Startup Plans to Become the World's Largest 3D Printing Ecosystem". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Polar 3D and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Announce Partnership to Bring Kids' Imaginations to Life through 3D Printing Labs". MCADCafe. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "GE Additive Education Program | GE Additive". www.ge.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "GE Additive Education Program open to primary and secondary schools to inspire & educate students about 3D printing". 3Dnatives. 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ Setters, Andrew (2020-04-07). "Over-the-Rhine 3D print farm cranking out hundreds of masks". WLWT. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "3D Printed Mask Production in StartupCincy". Cintrifuse. 2020-04-03. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Polar 3D Acquires STEAMtrax from 3D Systems". TCT Magazine. 2016-04-12. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
- ^ "Polar 3D heating up: 100k 3D prints on Polar Cloud, $2m financing round, new staff". 3ders.org. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ Setters, Andrew (2020-04-07). "Over-the-Rhine 3D print farm cranking out hundreds of masks". WLWT. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
- ^ "GE launches Additive Education Program 2018 with Ultimaker as new sponsor". 3D Printing Industry. 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Education Program| GE Additive". www.ge.com. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
- ^ "GE Additive Education Program | GE Additive". www.ge.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.