Development of a Raspberry Pi–Enabled IoT Platform for Remote Monitoring and Control of an FDM 3D Printer

Abstract

An existing RepRap-type fused deposition modelling printer was restored and converted into a browser-accessible manufacturing platform using a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, OctoPi/OctoPrint, and a camera. The Arduino Mega and RAMPS electronics retained low-level motion and thermal control, while the Raspberry Pi provided file transfer, print initiation, remote supervision, and timelapse capability. The retrofit included replacement or repair of worn electronic and mechanical elements and relocation of the extruder and filament-holder arrangement to reduce moving load. Functional validation was obtained by producing four PLA engineering components. The documented platform required approximately 4–5 Mbps network connectivity for smooth operation, and the complete project expenditure was INR 31,000. The work demonstrates a practical reuse pathway for educational and small-workshop FDM equipment. Communication latency, long-duration reliability, cybersecurity, energy consumption, and dimensional metrology were not reported and remain necessary for industrial qualification.