We are so proud of our Spark Members Michael Molinari, John Scimone and Drew Gates who have invented Autodrop3d an automated extraction system.
Excerpt below from the article about the event:
link to the article here
06/12/2019 — SPRINGFIELD — Michael Molinari of Autodrop3D in New London, Connecticut, poses Wednesday with the extraction system for 3D printers he and his partners have created. He was in Springfield Wednesday looking for investment backing and advice in getting the company ready for full-scale production. (Jim Kinney/ The Republican)
By Jim Kinney
SPRINGFIELD — Frustrated with the always broken 3D printer at a makerspace in New London, Connecticut, Michael Molinari and three friends created Autodrop3d, an automated ejection system for 3D printers that removes the finished piece without a person having to touch it.
Because that’s how printers get broken, Molinari said Wednesday at Autodrop3d’s booth at the Springfield Innovation Fest, hosted by Valley Venture Mentors in the new Springfield Innovation Center on Bridge Street.
“We’ve taken all the human interaction out of it,” he said. “Our target market for this technology is makerspaces and libraries that offer 3D printing services to designers, artists, model makers and others.”
Valley Venture Mentors, DevelopSpringfield show off Innovation Center, Hub ahead of grand opening (photos, video)
Valley Venture Mentors, which provides education and support to new businesses through mentoring and accelerator programs, moved into the Innovation Center at 270-276 Bridge St. in September.
The Autodrop3d system is monitored by a web camera so folks know when to go and get their piece.
The four partners need investment, Molinari said, in order to scale the business up to production levels, buy parts and supplies in wholesale quantities, and get some sales and marketing help considering their tech backgrounds.
And they are considering a move to Massachusetts.
"The tax situation in Connecticut doesn't look so great," he said. "Massachusetts looks much better. It seems like they want small business here."
Wednesday’s event drew about 150 registered attendees and 23 speakers including welcoming remarks from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. It lasted from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The event panel with the event's winners including Spark's Michael Molinari pictured:
Spark has it's weekly meetup Electronics Night every Thursday from 6-8pm.
Link to the Spark electronics page here:
