If you have a 3D printer, you might want to control it remotely from your computer or smartphone. This can be useful for monitoring the printing process, adjusting the settings, or stopping the print if something goes wrong. I would like to show you different ways to control your 3D printer remotely, depending on your budget and preferences.

The simplest way to control your 3D printer remotely is to use a USB cable and connect it to your computer. You can use software like Cura or Repetier-Host to send commands and view the status of your printer. However, this method has some limitations. You need to keep your computer on and close to your printer, and you can’t access it from another device or location.

A better way to control your 3D printer remotely is to use a Raspberry Pi (or clone), a small and affordable computer that can run Linux. You can install software like OctoPrint or AstroPrint on your Raspberry Pi and connect it to your printer via USB. Then, you can access your printer from any device that has a web browser, such as your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. You can also use a webcam to watch the print live, or use plugins to add more features, such as notifications, timelapses, or cloud storage.

Another way to control your 3D printer remotely is to use a dedicated device that connects to your printer via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. There are several products on the market that offer this functionality, such as 3DPrinterOS, Printoid, or Polar Cloud. These devices allow you to control your printer from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. You can also share your printer with other users, manage multiple printers, or access online libraries of models.