Last year Dyndrite, which develops 3D printing software, announced its intention to work with Meteor and Xaar and now Meteor has shared some details on the first fruit of its collaboration with Dyndrite.
Dyndrite specialises in developing software for 3D printers but takes an unusual approach in optimising its software for particular hardware. So it makes sense that Dyndrite would want to work with Meteor, which develops drive electronics for inkjet printheads. Such electronics should be a major consideration for anyone developing an inkjet-based 3D printer as the sort of materials typically used in 3D printing can be challenging to jet.
Clive Ayling, managing director of Meteor, points out that Dyndrite is a good fit with Meteor as both companies are mainly aiming for customers that are still at the prototyping stage, adding. “So Dyndrite have worked with us to produce something they are happy to let go at a lower price point with less complexity because we want something that’s easy to work with at the stage where you are still worrying about chemistry and printheads.”
The new software, called Meteoryte, is based around Dyndrite’s Application Developer Kit. It offers additive manufacturing system builders a foundational set of tools for the initial stages of machine development. This includes the ability to import 3D meshes and geometry, and to easily move, rotate and scale that geometry. It offers a 3D view of the build area as well as slicing at up to 1200 dots per inch. And of course, it exports the data in a format that Meteor’s electronics can easily work with.
Harshil Goel, CEO of Dyndrite Corporation, explained: “Additive manufacturing machines that require jetting print heads are becoming increasingly popular. Through software, our goal is to empower machine builders and improve their success rate, while reducing their time to market.”
There’s no exclusivity in this arrangement so that Dyndrite is free to work with other drive electronics developers, and Ayling told me that Meteor would also talk with other companies developing software for 3D printers. However, it’s worth noting that Meteor’s main competition has been GIS, which was recently acquired by another 3D printer vendor, Nano Dimension.
In the meantime, you can find more information on the software from dyndrite.com and on the drive electronics from meteorinkjet.com.
…with a little help from my friends
If you value independent journalism then please consider making a donation to help support Printing and Manufacturing Journal. There’s no advertising or other income attached to this site as my aim is to provide impartial and in-depth information to all readers. However, it takes time to carry out interviews and check facts so if this site is of interest to you then please support my work. You can find more information about me here.
Leave a Reply