Even on a desktop computer, it can sometimes be a time consuming chore to take an STL file and process it down to the raw G-Code file that will command the printer’s movements. The new Prusa i3 MK3 even includes a header right on the control board where you can plug in a Raspberry Pi Zero.īut while the Raspberry Pi is more than capable of controlling a 3D printer in real-time, there has always been some debate about its suitability for slicing STL files. Given the small size and low energy requirements of the Pi, it’s easy to integrate into your printer.

But for many, the true “home” of OctoPrint is the Raspberry Pi.Īs I’ve covered previously, the Raspberry Pi does make an exceptional platform for OctoPrint. It’s cross platform and doesn’t need anything more exotic than a free USB port to connect to the printer, and people have run it on everything from disused Windows desktops to cheap Android smartphones. Technically speaking, OctoPrint could run on more or less anything you have lying around the workshop. RAMBo 3D controller with Pi Zero Integrationīut all that is on the software side you still need to run OctoPrint on something. The core software itself is fantastic, and the community that has sprung up around the development of OctoPrint plugins has done an incredible job expanding the basic functionality into some very impressive new territory.

Whether you simply want a way to send G-Code to your printer without it being physically connected to your computer or you want to be able to monitor a print from your phone while at work, OctoPrint is what you’re looking for.

OctoPrint is arguably the ultimate tool for remote 3D printer control and monitoring.

Octoprint on raspberry pi zero