Anyone using PaperCut for 3D printers?
Posted by Own_Soup4467@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 21 comments
I manage a bunch of 3D printers in an org that already has PaperCut set up. We need some kind of management software for the 3D printers and I'm wondering if the existing PaperCut setup will do it.
It sounds like PaperCut's 3D workflow handles job submission and billing, but a human operator still has to print each file. Which doesn't seem ideal to me.
Anyone using PaperCut for this?
tc982@reddit
Seems like a conversation to have with Papercut...
Own_Soup4467@reddit (OP)
I know what they're gonna say! I'd always rather hear from admins & users
_haha_oh_wow_@reddit
That's probably a pretty wise move.
Xidium426@reddit
That's because they don't.
WendoNZ@reddit
It's been a while, but Papercut support was the best support interactions I've ever had. Assuming nothing has changed (yes a big assumption) I very much doubt they will lead you on or tell you they support something they don't.
Own_Soup4467@reddit (OP)
https://www.papercut.com/products/do-more/3d-printing/
so it's more for tracking usage & costs than for actually managing print files
Mister_Brevity@reddit
Check 3dprinteros.com maybe
icemerc@reddit
https://www.papercut.com/kb/Main/SupportedPrinters/
No 3D object file is listed here (GCode, STL).
Festernd@reddit
2d printing isn't remotely comparable to 3d, particularly in regards to print servers.
better off asking you auto mechanic how to file a flight plan for your ford pinto
Expensive_Plant_9530@reddit
What 3D printers?
Ultimaker has a feature for that sort of thing with their Digital Factory platform. Not well versed on how it works though.
We do use Papercut NF For printing, but I didn’t think you could use it with 3D printers.
Have you even checked if this is compatible? I don’t see how that would even work.
Magic_Neil@reddit
Are your 3D printers actually “printers” in this way? Papercut will monitor jobs for printers, in print queues and station release, billing too.. but I’ve always had the impression that 3D printers aren’t printer devices per se, like a laser printer would be.
Own_Soup4467@reddit (OP)
some are more printer-like than others. Anyone on the network can send jobs to the Bambu Lab printers if they have the app & the password.
Magic_Neil@reddit
Sure, but that’s an app.. Papercut monitors print queues. If it’s not a print queue it won’t be monitored.
Xidium426@reddit
That's like saying my networked CNC machine is like a printer because I can send it a file.
Papercut understands PCL, PostScript and XPS files, not .gcode files.
rejectionhotlin3@reddit
Maybe CUPS?
Only-An-Egg@reddit
I doubt PaperCut understands g-code
dire-wabbit@reddit
I didn't realize Papercut had this capability. We use 3dprinteros for our 3d workflow.
Own_Soup4467@reddit (OP)
we looked at 3DprinterOS but it's too expensive for us. BamBuddy looks good (we have Bambu Lab printers) but I wanted to check if piggybacking onto the existing PaperCut system is a viable option. It probably isn't (and our IT dept is balking bc their PaperCut admins are already buried)
ledow@reddit
I don't think it does.
It just has a job-submission feature for, say, reprographics departments.
"Please print 50 copies of this file", and you attach the file.
Some human still has to download the file and actually print it, outside of Papercut.
Papercut only handle 2D printing, to my knowledge.
Main_Ambassador_4985@reddit
I only do 3d printing as a hobby.
I do not know which 3D printer is being used and the larger pro printers have their own software for management and billing.
Maybe an extension to OctoPrint.
sryan2k1@reddit
"Job Ticketing" isn't free and as you pointed out this is just a manual human tracking portion.