
Yeah, I like hearing stories of people who have 3d printers that they use to make cool stuff that supplements their actual work, or other hobbies.At least in my local nerd community, more people are wanting a 3D printer to supplement their hobbies, not have the printers BE the hobby. It's still a geek toy but I think those days are numbered.
I hear ya, but I think you're overcorrecting. Ignore the dumbasses who just make up shit that Bambu could do. There are still legitimate grievances with what Bambu has done and announced they will do.Because there is no evidence for the assertions, that are coming from "the same crowd" that has been saying stuff like this about Bambu for years now. The burden of proof is on them, not some "all things trend towards shit" cynicism.
I don't cheerlead companies. I have a Prusa, I have a Bambu, I have a Uniformation. I do not have a t-shirt for any of them. I have in the past recommended all of them to people.
Bambu excites me because they make good hardware, but more importantly they were the first ones to really crack the code to open 3D printing to a wider audience. Not people who wanted to tinker. Not open source enthusiasts. Not "get an Ender 3 and here's the list of upgrades".
If someone else can fill that void, great.
I'm interested in 3D printing as an essential tool. I would not live without a 3D printer again. Whoever helps me share that with other people has my attention.
My frustration comes from seeing all these comments saying "oh I was about to buy one, guess I'll skip". I think the idea that a $349 A1 is going to turn into a paperweight is straight up FUD, and that if someone was going to get one, or has one (see above) they should just enjoy it. They don't have to spend $999 for a Prusa instead, unless they want to.
I honestly don't have a hobby I haven't supplemented with 3D printing. Some of the have 3D printing as a core component or basis, some are just extra bits that make things easier or better. But it's infused in pretty much everything I do.Yeah, I like hearing stories of people who have 3d printers that they use to make cool stuff that supplements their actual work, or other hobbies.
Nothing wrong with a hobby of 3d printing, always looking for cool new stuff to print and printer upgrades to make, but I already have too many hobbies.
Fair enough, all I want is for people to focus on the real issues, and not the made up ones. We all have our lines.I hear ya, but I think you're overcorrecting. Ignore the dumbasses who just make up shit that Bambu could do. There are still legitimate grievances with what Bambu has done and announced they will do.
I was interested in an X1, but their response to third party firmware put me off. Now they're locking down local network access. That's a pattern of behavior and it's one I won't support.
That’s what LAN mode on Bambu’s is for - send gcode directly to the printer without having to go through the cloud.As I mentioned earlier, I almost bought an A1 as my first 3D printer. Now I am looking for alternatives that allow a Slicer on my PC to talk directly to the printer without exiting my LAN just as I do with my Brother laser printer. Bambu Lab's poor explanations points towards mandatory cloud connections so I will avoid them until they clarify and show clear evidence that that will not be necessary..
I haven't personally used it because I like the app integration on my phone, I check my print progress from it fairly often. But for anyone curious:That’s what LAN mode on Bambu’s is for - send gcode directly to the printer without having to go through the cloud.
For printers with the new firmware third-party Slicers will have to go through the new Bambu Connect app detailed in the diagram I posted.That’s what LAN mode on Bambu’s is for - send gcode directly to the printer without having to go through the cloud.
In that diagram, note that there is Cloud Mode and LAN Mode, but they don't meet. You can effectively remove all the Cloud arrows leaving you with just the LAN.Sometimes cloud services add value, but I just don't see what the value is in this diagram published in the Bamboo Lab blog. I only see an unnecessary man-in-the-middle:
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I believe, and it's getting hard to keep track, that the Connect stuff will just be built into Orca directly?In that diagram, note that there is Cloud Mode and LAN Mode, but they don't meet. You can effectively remove all the Cloud arrows leaving you with just the LAN.
What is new is the Bambu Connect box, previously there was just the Network Plugin. My understanding is that it used to be that all coms would go through the plugin. But now, while status messages still go through the plugin, control codes have to go through Bambu Connect, which has higher authentication requirements. The Network Plugin can be used from within 3rd party slicers, but Bambu Connect cannot, so you have to launch it as a separate application.
Initially that's an inconvenience (oh no, I have to click another icon), but I would have thought if Bambu Connect would just accept a file name in its launch arguments, then the 3rd party slicer would just have to save the file to a temp folder then launch BC with that as an argument. That would be about as seamless as the current Print dialog box.
Yeah, I can't keep up either, but my understanding is that while Bambu has been talking to Orca, initially at least, it has to be separate.I believe, and it's getting hard to keep track, that the Connect stuff will just be built into Orca directly?
So far it is a separate Electron app; this is where the private key was extracted from as it is just obfuscated javascript.I believe, and it's getting hard to keep track, that the Connect stuff will just be built into Orca directly?
Their blog update after receiving pushback shows a screenshot with the caption:I believe, and it's getting hard to keep track, that the Connect stuff will just be built into Orca directly?
void Plater::priv::on_action_send_bamcu_conect(SimpleEvent&)
{
auto gcodeResult = q->send_gcode(partplate_list.get_curr_plate_index(), [this](int export_stage, int current, int total, bool &cancel) {});
if (gcodeResult != 0) {
BOOST_LOG_TRIVIAL(debug) << __FUNCTION__ << ":send_gcode failed\n";
return;
}
PrintPrepareData data;
q->get_print_job_data(&data);
if (data._3mf_path.empty()) {
BOOST_LOG_TRIVIAL(debug) << __FUNCTION__ << ":3mf path is empty\n";
return;
}
wxString filename = q->get_export_gcode_filename("", true, partplate_list.get_curr_plate_index() == PLATE_ALL_IDX ? true : false);
wxString filepath = wxString::FromUTF8(data._3mf_path.string());
filepath.Replace("\\", "/");
std::string filePath = "?version=v1.0.0&path=" + filepath.ToStdString() + "&name=" + filename.utf8_string();
wxString url = "bambu-connect://import-file?path=" + Http::url_encode(filePath);
if (!wxLaunchDefaultBrowser(url)) {
GUI::MessageDialog msgdialog(nullptr, _L("Failed to start Bambu Farm Manager Client."), "", wxAPPLY | wxOK);
msgdialog.ShowModal();
}
return;
}
Seems like people have already forgotten Bambu's last major "security" kerfuffle? https://meincmagazine.com/gadgets/2023/08/3d-printers-print-break-on-their-own-due-to-cloud-outage/
Every time I've been tempted to consider one, I thought maybe it would make sense to give them a little more time to make sure they're actually going in the right direction with their software. Looks like I was right, and in the mean time Prusa seems to have been making progress on the reliability concerns.
Bambu does have to be careful though because that reoccurring revenue is partly driven by people printing 3D models posted on MakerworldRecurring revenue is what all companies want, but they already have it. People who buy their printers end up buying lots of their filament, especially small businesses. Frankly, I'm surprised that people are treating this like a US company cash grab when it seems much more likely to be a Chinese company information grab.
As I understand it Developer Mode will work with Orca slicer WITHOUT needing to use Bambu Connect?Their blog update after receiving pushback shows a screenshot with the caption:
"Integration Demo: From Orca Slicer to Printer Through Bambu Connect."
Link to the pull request if anyone is interested.
Luckily this doesn't affect the A1/A1 Mini yet for those of us on Linux, because Bambu Connect is currently Windows/Mac only.
Edit: Silver lining in their blog although I'm disinclined to believe this is all just a big misunderstanding:
Acknowledging Community Feedback
We’ve received a wide range of feedback following our announcement, and we’re grateful for the insights shared. Many concerns have come from print farm owners who depend on reliable and uninterrupted access to their 3D printers. We understand the stakes for these businesses, and your feedback has driven meaningful changes in our approach.
In response, we’ve made the decision to implement an optional LAN mode feature, to provide advanced users with more control and flexibility. Under the updated LAN mode:
- Standard Mode (Default): By default, LAN mode will include an authorization process that ensures robust security. This option is ideal for the majority of users who prioritize security and ease of use. Despite claims to the contrary, LAN mode through Bambu Connect will require neither internet access nor a user account. This hasn't changed and won't change.
- Developer Mode (Optional): For advanced users of the X1, P1, A1, and A1 Mini who prefer full control over their network security, an option will be available to leave the MQTT channel, live stream, and FTP open. This feature must be manually enabled on the printer, and users who select this option will assume full responsibility for securing their local network environment. Please note that Bambu Lab will not be able to provide customer support for this mode, as the communication protocols are not officially supported.
This sounds like moving the goal post; A lot of these people have been claiming that's were things were headed and this recent disaster proves them right, even if not accurate on the time line. How about you give any evidence that it won't happen again and not go any further?Because there is no evidence for the assertions, that are coming from "the same crowd" that has been saying stuff like this about Bambu for years now. The burden of proof is on them, not some "all things trend towards shit" cynicism.
Why would you expect Bambu to come out with a "our bad" apology when they already went back, edited their original post, and started gaslighting the community about "baseless allegations" for things that are obviously not true(tm)?My hope is that Bambu says "our bad, we had what we thought were good intentions, we recognize we fucked up, we're gonna make it right". I feel like some people hope instead that Bambu just dies, or would cheer if they did.
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1i48zii/bambu_s_response_to_orca_slicer_authentication_no/heard back from their development team; they are not going to greenlight OrcaSlicer to send prints directly to their machine. It has to be done through their Bambu Connect application.
I edited my post but they essentially open "bambu-connect://import-file?path=path_to_some_3mf_file" in a browser, which Bambu Connect picks up, then fetches the file and proceeds to send it to the printer.As I understand it Developer Mode will work with Orca slicer WITHOUT needing to use Bambu Connect?
Where all you're really giving up is the remote access capabilities, but didn't you already lose that by using LAN only mode?
Tons of printers just have a simple web server on them that allows access to these features from any device with a browser. I think requiring an app to do this would suck, do Bambu printers have this?I haven't personally used it because I like the app integration on my phone, I check my print progress from it fairly often. But for anyone curious:
https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/knowledge-sharing/enable-lan-mode
Nope, it's through their app. If you don't care for that sounds like they're not for you.Tons of printers just have a simple web server on them that allows access to these features from any device with a browser. I think requiring an app to do this would suck, do Bambu printers have this?
Not if you enable developer mode whilst in LAN mode.For printers with the new firmware third-party Slicers will have to go through the new Bambu Connect app detailed in the diagram I posted.
If I understand what you are saying correctly, the add-on Babu sells to handle filament for their printers has integrated RFID. That certainly isn't the sort of move a company that has "no plans" to integrate filament detection into their systems would typically make.It's unreasonable because it doesn't pass the smell test, that's why.
Like, leaving out everything about it that doesn't make sense from a business or market perspective, and there's a lot, the simple fact is the printers don't have a mechanism to even do it.
AMS units have RFID, but not the printers.
The real truth is Bambu is a lot like Apple, and not because of the company or their products, but because the name alone is enough to turn discussions into weird fanboy wars. This "they're about to get you!" talk has been around for years.
This new development sucks, I'm not defending it, but I'm not into the way people try and turn it into more than it is either.
3D printing is awesome, I am a huge fan of it. I do not care what company is "winning". I'm very happy with my X1C. I was very happy with my Prusa Mk3 when it was new. If Prusa made a new printer that was compelling feature and price wise I'd be happy to buy it again. Just because the Core One isn't it for me doesn't mean anything, I just personally will only upgrade to a larger printer now.
Or Qidi or Creality or anyone else, I really don't care if the product is good.
I 3D print to make things, not to cheerlead companies, and honestly not to tinker with or hack my printers anymore. I enjoyed the era of being able to upgrade my Mk3 to a Mk3S+ (I think? I updated it twice, that sounds right). But I'm very happy to be in the "just works" appliance phase of things.
That there's still a community making Vorons etc is great too, I just don't want 3D printers themselves to be my hobby.
One of the big benefit of an open platform like Moonraker or Octoprint, for me, is integration into Home Assistant. Here's mine right now.Nope, it's through their app. If you don't care for that sounds like they're not for you.
Personally I find it one of the better features of their printers. This is my X1C right now.
View attachment 100743
So ... basically feature-comparable with a basic Octoprint setup?Nope, it's through their app. If you don't care for that sounds like they're not for you.
Personally I find it one of the better features of their printers. This is my X1C right now.
That's great. And I'm a little jealous of your 6x6 grid lol.One of the big benefit of an open platform like Moonraker or Octoprint, for me, is integration into Home Assistant. Here's mine right now.
View attachment 100761
There are also dedicated apps if that's more you jam. E.g. http://mobileraker.com/ And of course multiple web interfaces to choose from, which works quite well on mobile too.
Personally, I don't need an app for everything, but I love integrating into Home Assistant. As you can see, I have a live feed of the camera plus a thumbnail of what's printing. Above that you can see some of the stats I'm interested in (ETAs are off because it's doing the first layer right now). Further above that, I have toggles for the lights in the room and a switch for the printer itself so I can turn it off if it's not being used. And since that switch can track usage, I can tell how much power I use (and pay for) for a print (it's fuck all, but it's cool to know printing something at home cost a few cents in electricity and a buck in filament). I also have the status of my dry boxes on that page, so I can make sure my hygroscopic filaments are staying dry. And since it's in HA, automations! Notifications when a print completes or fails or is cancelled. If the printer is idle for a certain period, kill the power to it. Get creative with the lights in the room based on print status. Etc.
The firmware can just fail all on its own without malicious intent. Mosfets can fail closed, preventing the firmware from cutting power, if there aren't backups in series. This sure sounds like somewhere that could and should have a $0.25 thermal fuse, like most consumer heating appliances.You can flash the firmware remotely and remove any safety cutoffs on extruder temperature. The idea would be to print out a bunch of material and ignite that with the hot end, which can reach those temperatures.
https://www.snapmaker.com/blog/3d-printer-fire-safety-causes-prevention-best-practices/#:~:text=a) Thermal Runaway Failure,countermeasures are implemented in advance.
But please, by all means ignore this advice.
With the X & P series, the AMS is an option, you don't have to buy it. There is a side port where you can feed other filaments manually, including colour change-overs if you like. There is no RFID on the side port.If I understand what you are saying correctly, the add-on Babu sells to handle filament for their printers has integrated NFC. That certainly isn't the sort of move a company that has "no plans" to integrate filament detection into their systems would typically make.
But, more to the point, It looks like the AMS unit is effectively the only mechanism that provides multi-material support for the printers. There doesn't appear to be any way to get the multi-material functionality without using the unit, and they don't appear to offer any alternative feed systems. So it appears to be standard equipment for any turnkey setup - which seems relevant.
And clearly the AMS thing has full digital integration with the Babu printer's electronics. If the AMS can tell the printer to stop because it's out of filament, why can't the AMS can tell the printer to stop because the filament is unathorized? And how is this fundamentally different than the "printer" having a mechanism to do it?
Seriously. How WOULD you build the capability "into the printer" if not by building it into the part of the printer that handles filament? The RFID is in the spool - not the filament itself. So it's not like you could build it into the hotend. When you suggest putting the mechansim "in the printer" .... what would you be talking about if not building it in to the material-feed system somehow much like it's been built into the AMS?
All of this adds up to make your certitude feel absurd. By your own telling, certainly looks like they've already built the capacity.
Sure, or Prusa Connect. It's built in with the camera, works without needing to set anything up, or having to worry about your IP or accessing your network remotely etc, so it's very simple for anyone to use. But anyone with a little tech savvy can do it with other printers.So ... basically feature-comparable with a basic Octoprint setup?
That's great. And I'm a little jealous of your 6x6 grid lol.
I don't have Home Assistant, and have no particular interest in smart home stuff. So I personally appreciate the Easy Mode that Bambu offers. I don't have to set anything up, I don't need to know my printer's IP, I just open the app and check.
But the beauty of this hobby is that it's full of people who love to be creative and make solutions.
I'm currently experimenting with combining 3D printed shells for my grid with laser cut foam. It's not for everyone, not everyone has a laser. But it's a way for me to solve something, and I'm enjoying the approach.
View attachment 100763
Yeah, even if it was opt out just give power users options. Which they are getting closer to, but tbh I'm just not sure how close yet. It's kinda hard to keep up with the speed of the changes right now.But also out of the box, you can get local control via their web interface. There's no reason BambuLabs can't have it both ways. Let people sign up for an account, manage everything through "the cloud", send prints directly from MakerWorld, proxy for the app so people can just sign in on the app and it'll work everywhere, etc. None of that prevents them from running a tiny webserver on the printer and letting people have control over it entirely locally without needing to check in with the mothership. Make it a toggle in the settings, default off, but allow people to get to it without making an account and putting their printer online if they don't want to.
For what it’s worth, bambulab printers also integrate really well into home assistant (at least for now…). It’s also all done locally, no connection to the cloud for this (again, for now…). This guy created a very cool website to autogenerate yaml for a pretty fancy HA Bambu lab printer dashboard: https://www.wolfwithsword.com/bambulab-home-assistant-dashboard/One of the big benefit of an open platform like Moonraker or Octoprint, for me, is integration into Home Assistant. Here's mine right now.
View attachment 100761
There are also dedicated apps if that's more you jam. E.g. http://mobileraker.com/ And of course multiple web interfaces to choose from, which works quite well on mobile too.
Personally, I don't need an app for everything, but I love integrating into Home Assistant. As you can see, I have a live feed of the camera plus a thumbnail of what's printing. Above that you can see some of the stats I'm interested in (ETAs are off because it's doing the first layer right now). Further above that, I have toggles for the lights in the room and a switch for the printer itself so I can turn it off if it's not being used. And since that switch can track usage, I can tell how much power I use (and pay for) for a print (it's fuck all, but it's cool to know printing something at home cost a few cents in electricity and a buck in filament). I also have the status of my dry boxes on that page, so I can make sure my hygroscopic filaments are staying dry. And since it's in HA, automations! Notifications when a print completes or fails or is cancelled. If the printer is idle for a certain period, kill the power to it. Get creative with the lights in the room based on print status. Etc.
Hopefully they continue to allow it, though it looks like some of the features require your cloud creds and pulling from the cloud. Looks like nothing too critical so you could get by with local only, but the sensors that are exposed only through the cloud are awfully arbitrary, like the weight of the print.For what it’s worth, bambulab printers also integrate really well into home assistant (at least for now…)
Here’s my dashboard, I also have a camera feed on it. View attachment 100777
They need to contact Bambu support. I know about a dozen people with Bambus (plus me) and they all work flawlessly. They clearly got a defective one, and don't need to live with it that way.A childhood friend bought a Bambu with the color option four months ago and its been very frustrating. Lost prints, parts being ejected from the bed hit by the head and two firmware crashes.
Interesting… I wonder if it’s pulling that info from the cloud for every print, or just the ones that are sliced by the cloud slicer from the app… not that the printer couldn’t be reporting that info locally either way. I should sniff my mqtt traffic next time I print something to see what it’s doing locally in different scenarios.Hopefully they continue to allow it, though it looks like some of the features require your cloud creds and pulling from the cloud. Looks like nothing too critical so you could get by with local only, but the sensors that are exposed only through the cloud are awfully arbitrary, like the weight of the print.
That's another issue I have with the cloud stuff. Why does the cloud need to analyze my print jobs? Not that I print anything all that exciting, but I'm not really interested in feeding more of my data to the ever-hungry data machines. Maybe they're just looking to stop people from printing ghost guns. I'm not interested in getting pop-up in some app trying to sell me ifixit kits because I just printed a desktop screwdriver holder or something, but you know someone else has had that idea.
A 3D printer is organization nirvana.