Polar3D
Polar3D
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Type of site | 3D printing marketplace |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 1, 2014 |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, OH |
| Industry | Education Technology |
| Parent | Polar3D, LLC |
| Website | polar3d.com |
| Users | 462,004 |
| Current status | active |
Polar3D, LLC is an American software platform company headquartered in Cincinnati, OH. It was founded in 2014 by Bill Steele and Ed Estes.
Polar3D also founded and operates The Polar Cloud, the largest educational 3D printing platform by number of prints completed. As of September 2020, The Polar Cloud has over 1.54 million prints and is in 157 different countries.
History
In April 2016, Polar3D acquired STEAMtrax curriculum from 3D Systems.[1] STEAMtrax is NGSS aligned STEM curriculum that incorporates 3D Printing and is accompanied by a physical kit for completion in the classroom.
In June 2020, Polar3D passed competing platform 3DPrinterOS in total number of prints, making it the largest 3D Printer connected-platform in the world, by total prints.
Beer Hall Mask Factory
Starting in April 2020, Polar3D collaborated with local non-profit Cintrifuse and Infotrust to run the "Beer Hall Mask Factory"[2], a volunteer effort to produce 3D Printed masks for frontline workers and those in need. The effort resulted in 26,285 printed masks made from April 2, 2020 to June 30, 2020. The machines ran for a total of 85,873 hours. All masks have been distributed and the printers will be donated along with premium software accounts for in-person and remote learning to K-12 schools.
Initial production of masks from the Beer Hall Mask Factory went to local healthcare workers and senior care facilities. As mask supply chains improved, allocation shifted to the Freestore Foodbank, which was seeing a need among the food insecure it served in the area. "Family Packs" were produced and packaged, containing 2 large, 2 medium and 1 small mask along with polypropylene filters, elastic and use/care instructions. In total, over 17,000 of the masks went to Ohio's Foodbanks.
Services
The Polar Cloud embraces the idea of commerce in the classroom, allowing any member's object on the platform to receive "tips" from other members who visit the website. Premium Members can sell their designs and use premium features to help them run their small business, makerspace, or classroom. Schools
Many members use the Polar Cloud to "Polar Cloud Enable" their 3D Printers that were made without web cameras or the ability to connect to the internet for Cloud printing access.
Programs & Adoption
GE Additive (a subsidiary of General Electric that supports GE Aviation) contacted Polar3D in April 2017 to help administer 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[3]. 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 around the globe.
See Also
References
- ↑ "Polar 3D Acquires STEAMtrax from 3D Systems". TCT Magazine. 2016-04-12. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
- ↑ Setters, Andrew (2020-04-07). "Over-the-Rhine 3D print farm cranking out hundreds of masks". WLWT. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
- ↑ "Education Program| GE Additive". www.ge.com. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
This article "Polar3D" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Polar3D. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
