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Ottomat3D, a New Zealand-based startup, exhibited its inaugural machine, an open-source and modular print automation system, at Rapid + TCT in Detroit this past week. The company is preparing to begin a Kickstarter campaign for the machine soon.

The Ottoeject MK1, made from T-slot extrusions and 3D printed parts, is a cantilevered robotic arm and shelf system that grabs, removes, and stores finished 3D prints on their beds. It then replaces the 3D printer’s bed so that another job can start automatically. The Ottoeject is paired with the Ottoengine software, which interfaces with the attached FDM 3D printer to automatically switch the bed and run a new print after every completion or failure.

The Ottoeject can gently remove and store up to six 3D prints without posing a danger to the kinematic mechanisms, whereas some automation solutions that use the print head to remove finished models might. There are similar automations that skirt risk and also omit complicated robotics, like SwapMod: another print automation device that was on display in Bambu Lab’s last Formnext booth. But, SwapMod only works with the Bambu Lab A1 Mini, while Ottoeject is intended to have broad compatibility.

The OTTOeject MK1 at Rapid + TCT 2025 (Source: All3DP)

For all three days at Rapid + TCT, the Ottoeject MK1 bed replacement system labored below the large “AM Service Providers” sign, holding its own between Endeavor 3D and B-Tec Solutions, Inc. Visitors to the booth had the opportunity to see it in action, and chat with one of Ottomat3D’s co-founders, Yudi Khatri. The demo event-goers saw is similar to demonstrations posted to the new company’s YouTube channel.

The goal of the soon-to-be Kickstarter is to begin producing kits for automated build plate management of FDM 3D printers. So far, it has been publicly demonstrated to be compatible with Bambu Lab’s P1P, P1S, and A1 3D printers, and the company plans to open-source the design so that contributors across the 3D printing community can integrate it with different machines.

Those interested can sign up for a mailing list to follow the status of the Ottomat3D Kickstarter campaign from the new company’s website.

Editor's Note – This article highlights a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. Kickstarter is not a shop; campaigns are under no legal obligation to deliver on crowdfunding promises, nor offer refunds on unfulfilled campaign rewards.

For more insight, read our article 8 Things to Watch for When Backing a 3D Printing Kickstarter.

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License: The text of "Ottomat3D Debuts its Automatic Print Bed Management System at Rapid + TCT" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.