A Bambu Lab update divides the 3D community

Since its launch, Bambu Lab has quickly established itself in the 3D printing market, notably thanks to printers such as the P1S, renowned for their speed, reliability and ease of use. However, recent changes in the firmware of these devices have caused a strong reaction from the user community.

Last week, Bambu Lab announced a firmware update. This announcement, far from being unanimous, triggered a lively debate within the 3D printing community. While the manufacturer highlights reinforced security measures, many users perceive these changes as an attack on the principles of openness that have characterized the 3D printing ecosystem since its beginnings.

Restrictions that divide

Following the firmware update introduced by Bambu Lab, users must now use a cloud application to configure their devices. This dependence on the cloud has been criticized as going against the maker community’s philosophy of total control over tools.

Additionally, the update introduced restrictions on local access to printers. Although a “developer mode” feature was added in response to community criticism, it still requires using the cloud app to initialize the printer.

An update in the name of security

According to Bambu Lab, the new measures introduced by the firmware were designed to address critical security issues. The company claims to have recorded up to 30 million unauthorized requests per day to its servers, accompanied by targeted cyberattacks, including denial of service (DDoS) attacks. To counter these threats, the firmware integrates authorization and authentication mechanisms for several essential printer functions, such as:

• Linking and unlinking printers with user accounts;
• Access to live video for remote impression tracking;
• Firmware updates;
• Launching print jobs via cloud or LAN mode;
• Control of critical parameters, such as temperatures, calibrations and printer movements.

Bambu Lab explains the new workflow following the update with a graphic. (Photo credit: Bambu Lab)

These enhancements also include end-to-end encryption protocols and code signing to ensure the integrity of updates. However, these justifications are not enough to appease a community historically committed to autonomy and open source.

The community responds: innovation versus restrictions

The update immediately attracted criticism in forums, online groups and social networks related to 3D printing and the manufacturer in particular. The main concerns of users are grouped around four axes:

1. A move away from open-source principles

Since the Reprap project among others, 3D printing has prospered thanks to a philosophy of openness and sharing. Manufacturers, software developers and users have relied on open ecosystems to innovate. By introducing authorization mechanisms and restricting the use of certain protocols, Bambu Lab appears to be moving away from these principles, which is seen as going against certain market values.

2. Limited compatibility with third-party software

The new security measures include restrictions on operations performed through third-party software. This worries some users who prefer to use alternative slicers or specific control solutions, like Orca Slicer or Panda Touch. While Bambu Lab claims that it works with third-party developers to ensure continued compatibility, these statements have not been enough to ease tensions.

3. Privacy and Remote Control Concerns

Some users are concerned that the new features introduce risks when it comes to personal data collection. The idea that a printer could potentially be controlled remotely by the company, even under the guise of a security update, fuels distrust.

4. Towards a closed ecosystem?

The worry of technological lock-in, or vendor lock-in, is recurring. With this update, Bambu Lab is accused of favoring the exclusive use of its products and services, thus limiting interoperability with other hardware.

Bambu Lab connect allows you to start printing and manage your 3D printer farm. (Photo credit: Bambu Lab)

An answer that struggles to convince

Faced with the wave of criticism, Bambu Lab tried to ease tensions by introducing adjustments by announcing changes:

• A developer mode: To respond to users wishing to preserve the openness of their system, the company announced a “developer mode”. This mode will allow the use of older network protocols (MQTT for example), thus facilitating integration with third-party tools.
• Details on LAN mode: Bambu Lab recalled that LAN mode, which does not require an Internet connection or user account, remains available for those who wish to avoid the cloud.
• Rumor denials: The company has strongly denied accusations of remotely disabling printers. It also rejected claims that it would limit the use of third-party filaments.

Despite these efforts and the popularity of Bambu Lab printers, some users remain skeptical. They point in particular to a clause in Bambu Lab’s terms of use, according to which a printer could block new prints until the firmware is updated, therefore making it unusable without an update. This ambiguity continues to fuel concerns.

This controversy could encourage users to turn to alternatives like Creality, Anycubic or Elegoo, which offers low-cost printers, or Prusa, known for its commitment to open source.

Users express their dissatisfaction on the Bambu Lab Reddit page.

A turning point for the 3D printing industry?

This conflict highlights a growing tension in the 3D printing industry: the search for a balance between innovation, corporate control and user freedom. As 3D printers become more connected and sophisticated, the risks of cyberattacks increase. But must the solutions proposed by manufacturers necessarily involve a restriction of user freedom?

This situation is reminiscent of another notable controversy: that of MakerBot, which, after having been a pioneer of open-source 3D printing, chose to close its ecosystem in 2012. This strategic reversal sparked strong indignation within the community. and contributed to a decline in brand trust. If this decision aimed to better protect its intellectual property and guarantee a controlled user experience, it also marked a turning point in the perception of MakerBot, long celebrated for its role in the open-source movement.

In an industry where innovation often relies on open collaboration, Bambu Lab’s decisions could well serve as a lesson, or caution, for other manufacturers. Time will tell whether these strategic choices will allow Bambu Lab to strengthen security without alienating its community, or whether they will mark the beginning of a lasting loss of trust in the brand.

Bambu Lab’s developer mode should make it possible to retain previously available features and limit dependence on the cloud.

For now, the community is awaiting concrete actions from Bambu Lab to restore confidence. Without this, the company could lose its place of choice in a highly competitive market.

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