Shenzhen-based 3D printer manufacturer Bambu Lab has launched a new firmware for its X1 Series of 3D printers. The optional security update introduces authorization and authentication controls for key 3D printing operations, altering how third-party software interacts with the 3D printer.
Some in the 3D printing community have not received the news well, leading to Bambu Lab refuting claims that the firmware, currently undergoing beta testing, restricts third-party tools or forces users into a closed ecosystem. Those who choose not to install the update can continue using external software without any changes. The company has also introduced a new tool called Bambu Connect, designed to integrate third-party software with updated printers. Bambu Lab is collaborating with software developers, including Orca Slicer, to ensure a seamless connection with external tools.
Just sounds like they’re saying the “slippery slope” is false, but everything else stated was true.
3d party accessories are being disabled, and you can only use network connectivity if you connect to the cloud. They’ll have a solution for using Orca Slicer, but it still needs to phone home to work.
Glad I stayed away from Bambu and went with a printer that doesn’t need anything outside my network to use all the features I paid for.
What did you end up buying? I’m leaning towards Prusa again, was looking at Creality but I’m not wanting to tinker around much with that stuff anymore.
I went from a Creality printer to a Prusa Mk4s on the last black friday sale. What sold me was that as they make new machines, you can just buy a kit to upgrade to the next version, instead of needing to buy a whole new printer. They’re also based in the EU, so even if they wanted to, they couldn’t do anything too bad in regards to privacy.
Doesn’t matter tho, cause I won’t turn on the cloud printing stuff, since I don’t see any benefit. Everything can be done exactly the same way without requiring external services.
Hard to make a good recommendation right now. Prusa really didn’t impress with the core one because they are still using their old bed size (z height isn’t important at all for me) and the MMU just isn’t as good as the AMS. Creality still has OQC issues that enough people encounter even on their high end printers.
Is the Anycubic Kobra with the ACE any decent? Its on sale for what looks like a good price but I dont know anything about quality and out of the box ability
I have any Anycubic and I’ve been pretty happy with it.
The Kobra with the ACE? How was it out of the box?
Nope, one of the Photon ones. Still worked great out of the box. I cant comment on their FDM printer unfortunately.