#29 Broken-trust Lab

Yes! We’ve got it! Another drama in the AM industry! This time in the desktop world! Bambu Lab updated its firmware. And what happened? Oh, don’t get me started… An assault on user freedom! a betrayal of the established rules! trampling on the ideals of open source! and most importantly—China is trying to close the loop and steal our IP! ARGH! Outrage! Boycott! Burn them at the stake!

Over the weekend, I dug through opinions posted on X, Reddit, and LinkedIn. I delved into the ever-insightful thoughts of Josef Pr??a (I always enjoy reading what Pr??a thinks about Bambu Lab). There’s a lot of emotion, a lot of opinions, and a lot of judgments.

But not from me. Over the past 12 years, I’ve witnessed so many dramas in the AM industry that they don’t faze me anymore. Besides, what kind of drama is this, anyway? Back in the day, those were real dramas… Once in Poland, the owner of a 3D printer manufacturing company got into such a heated argument on a Facebook group that it ended its career! And now? Here? Phew… Do you think anything’s going to change? That Bambu Lab will face any trouble?

Nothing will change. Because the real shift already happened in 2023. What we’re witnessing now is just the next phase of those changes. Not even the consequences—no, just the next step. This is the direction it’s heading. You can cry about it, but it’s already too late.

What happened?

On January 17, 2025, Bambu Lab announced a firmware update that introduces mandatory authorization for certain operations on their 3D printers. The update currently affects the X1 series models, with similar updates planned for the P and A series in the near future.

The key points of the update are as follows:

• Full user authorization is now required for updating firmware, initiating 3D prints (both via LAN and the cloud), accessing the camera remotely, and modifying printer settings. Only direct operations on the device itself and printing from an SD card remain unaffected.
• The most significant change is Bambu Connect, which currently blocks the use of alternative software such as OrcaSlicer.
• Bambu Lab explains that the new authorization requirements and reliance on their cloud services are a response to previous security issues, such as unauthorized access to 3D printers. The company emphasizes that these changes are aimed at protecting users from potential threats.

At the same time, Bambu Lab has not announced plans to restore full compatibility with OrcaSlicer without requiring authorization through "Bambu Connect." The firmware update largely restricts the use of OrcaSlicer directly on Bambu Lab printers, requiring users to go through the cloud-based authorization system.

So what about it?

The changes mentioned above sparked a wave of controversy over the weekend, with people feeding into each other’s frustration. The criticisms can be grouped into the following categories:

Dependence on Bambu Lab’s Cloud

The biggest controversy revolves around the mandatory reliance on cloud services, raising concerns about privacy and control over personal equipment. Conspiracy theories have surfaced, pointing to the company’s Chinese origins (more on that below...).

Systemic limitation of third-party software

The firmware update restricts or completely blocks the use of alternative software such as OrcaSlicer, impacting the open-source community and users accustomed to having the freedom to modify their devices.

Security vs. Control

While Bambu Lab argues that the changes are motivated by a desire to improve security, many users perceive this as an attempt to lock down the system, which could lead to monopolization of services and control over the hardware.

"Enshittification"

According to some critics, Bambu Lab 3D printers are now entering a process where they become progressively worse over time. People are calling for users to avoid updates, with some even advocating a boycott of Bambu Lab 3D printers altogether.

And What Does Josef Pr??a Think?

For Josef, this story is like manna from heaven. As much as he dislikes Bambu Lab, he’s thankful for this firmware change. During the last Formnext, while presenting the new CORE 1, he emphasized that the openness of architecture and software are among the key features that distinguish his 3D printers “from the competition.”

And voilà! The competition just proved his point by closing doors where Pr??a continues to keep them open.

Pr??a criticized Bambu Lab for introducing reliance on cloud services, which he believes is contrary to the spirit of open-source software and self-hosting—principles that are foundational to the 3D printing community. He pointed out that this move restricts users’ freedom to control their devices.

He contrasted Prusa Research's philosophy of openness with Bambu Lab’s approach, highlighting that his company avoids practices that lock users into a single-manufacturer ecosystem.

While he didn’t explicitly say, “Buy my 3D printers,” the message is clear enough.

Then he played his strongest card: China is a threat!

Quite scary where the 3DP industry is moving – control of your data. In this case especially as one of their investors is IDG Capital – which was on US Dept. of Defense - Chinese military companies list and Article 7 of National Intelligence Law kinda trumps all the good intentions defense.

Massive subsidies makes the situation even more spicy. China designated 3D printing industry as strategic. One has to think about the motives?

He then expressed his usual disappointment that nobody writes about this—nobody raises such an important topic in their publications! And that they should.

Now what is my motive with this thread? Hopefully get more people and journalists to look at the plentiful public information and help people/companies make informed decisions when buying 3D printers ??

Ahoj Josefe! Tak?e jsem o tom napsal. Klidně to te? lajkuj a sdílej. Nemá? za?.

By the way, you can also buy 3D printers from Rat Rig . They’re European, they're open-source, and were making good, fast CoreXY machines even before Bambu Lab and Prusa Research.

Is Chinese Bambu Lab threatening the freedom of 3D printing?

Reading posts on X and Reddit reveals quite a few controversial opinions about Bambu Lab and its firmware update. People are drawing parallels to DJI, expressing concerns that the desktop-grade 3D printer industry might end up dominated by a single company, much like the consumer and sports drone market.

Following these threads, it’s suggested that Bambu Lab is forcing users to rely on its cloud services to harvest as much data as possible and maintain control over what users are printing. The implication is that this data could then be leveraged to further dominate the market and crush the competition.

And finally, there are the alleged ties to the Chinese government. Because, you know, “it’s well known that all Chinese companies have government connections.” So Bambu Lab as the next move in a larger strategic game.

Alright, so what do I think about all this?

The outrage is funny because it’s far too late for it. It’s also funny because Bambu Lab is doing what we’ve already come to accept in nearly every other area of our lives. We are entirely and completely dependent on Big Tech—3D printing is just the next item on the list.

Let me start with a few examples:

• Did you protest when you found out Google reads all your Gmail emails?
• Did you protest when you learned Facebook and Instagram have copyright over your photos?
• Did you protest when you discovered Alexa works both ways?
• Did you protest when you realized Tesla always knows where you are?
• Did you protest when Google sent you reminder about where you were exactly a year ago?
• Did you protest when you spent 7 seconds on a website (e.g., browsing sports backpacks) and get bombarded with ads for backpacks across every platform you use for the next three weeks?

This list is endless, and I know that 99.99% of you didn’t protest. So now, are you going to protest because Bambu Lab knows what you print and wants to keep knowing it forever? Come on, people... What did you expect? This system was built on this premise from the very beginning.

Bambu Lab and Bambu Studio worked flawlessly because they started with a robust cloud-based solution. From the outset, you had to send your file to a Chinese server before it could return to your local 3D printer.

It could’ve been done differently—like Ultimaker in 2017 or Zortrax in 2018. But Bambu Lab went a step further, and everyone accepted it.

Even more, most people just weren’t aware of it. I know this because I’ve personally informed plenty of folks about it (including university professors and even a military drone manufacturer).

As for Bambu Lab closing itself off to open-source and locking down its system—let’s not kid ourselves.

Don’t paint Bambu Lab as some early MakerBot, early Ultimaker, or Prusa Research.

Bambu Lab has always operated in a closed loop, much like XYZPrinting—but much, much better. Locking down the firmware was inevitable; it’s been part of their strategy all along. Yet now people are suddenly realizing—"Hey, Bambu Lab isn’t open-source? But it should be..."

What’s next?

Nothing. People will continue to buy and use Bambu Lab printers. Only a handful of their users are even aware of these controversies and consequences. The company has sold well over a million 3D printers. How many of them ended up in the hands of open-hardware and open-source enthusiasts? Maybe 1%...?

This event is a wake-up call! But soon enough, everyone will roll over and go right back to sleep.

So much for the introduction. And now, without further ado...

Calling All Spaniards: Submit Your Entries Now!

The first edition dedicated to the Polish 3D printing industry is behind us, and everyone loved it! We’re incredibly grateful for the positive reception. As a reminder, The 3D Printing World Guide is a weekly publication where we showcase 10 companies from the additive manufacturing (AM) sector from different countries and corners of the world.

It consists of three parts:

1. A post and PDF on LinkedIn:

2. A full PDF available for download on the AM Writer website:

3. An HTML version distributed via the daily newsletter of The 3D Printing Journal:

This week, we’ll feature the Canadian edition, and next week, the German edition.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the German edition filled up before the official announcement even went out. That’s why I repeat—don’t wait, or it’ll be too late...

Now we’re calling on all Spaniards to send in applications for the edition to be published in early February. We have two weeks left, and there are still a few spots open.

You can submit your applications here.

#7. Rosotics pivots to focus on orbital transport vehicles

Last year sensation – Rosotics , is pivoting from commercializing its Halo metal 3D printer to focusing exclusively on space exploration. The Halo printer, based on a proprietary deposition welding process, will now be used solely for producing orbital transfer vehicles. The company is relocating from Mesa, Arizona, to Cape Canaveral, Florida, to support its new strategy.

Rosotics aims to establish autonomous orbital infrastructure at the L5 Lagrange point, involving the use of large-scale 3D-printed spacecraft and cold welding techniques. Despite raising $2.6 million, significant funding challenges remain for this ambitious project to build an orbital station functioning as a propellant depot and industrial hub.

READ MORE: www.3dprintingjournal.com

#6. LEHVOSS launched LUVOPRINT brand

LEHVOSS UK Ltd launched the LUVOPRINT brand, offering high-performance materials for fused granulate fabrication (FGF) 3D printing. The portfolio includes eco-friendly GFRP grades such as PC/ABS, PA6, PPS, and PESU, optimized for industrial applications. LEHVOSS provides material solutions, testing data, and support for serial production, with plans to expand the product line.

READ MORE: www.voxelmatters.com

#5. Nikon opened new technology center in California

Nikon Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center was officially inaugurated in Long Beach, California. The 90,000-square-foot facility was designed to combine research and development, manufacturing, and the implementation of advanced 3D printing technologies across industries such as aerospace, defense, and space exploration.

The event was attended by representatives from local authorities, including Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Consul-General of Japan Kenko Sone, as well as members of the U.S. military and administration.

During the opening, a wide range of the center’s technological capabilities was showcased, focusing primarily on 3D printing systems based on laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology and innovative R&D solutions. Representatives from Nikon SLM Solutions and Nikon AM Synergy Inc. also outlined the company’s strategy for advancing 3D printing technologies.

READ MORE: www.3dprintingjournal.com

#4. Xact Metal celebrated installation of 150th 3D printer

Xact Metal reported its second-highest quarterly revenue in Q4 2024 and celebrated the installation of its 150th metal 3D printer. Many recent sales came from tooling and injection molding industries, with the 150th printer delivered to Zero Tolerance in Michigan. The company credited its industry focus and partnerships for the success.

READ MORE: www.tctmagazine.com

#3. EOS celebrated installation of 5000th 3D printer

EOS has reached a major milestone, selling its 5,000th 3D printer since its founding in 1989. The milestone printer, an EOS M400-4, was installed at Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing in North Carolina, where the company now operates 36 EOS systems, serving industries like automotive and aerospace.

READ MORE: www.voxelmatters.com

#2. Mighty Buildings is up for sale

Mighty Buildings, an Oakland-based additive construction company specializing in zero-net-energy prefabricated buildings, is up for sale. The company is working with Rock Creek Advisors to find a buyer, with a final term sheet deadline set for February 14, 2025. As part of the sale preparation, a restructuring occurred, leading to layoffs of skilled professionals.

READ MORE: www.3dprint.com

#1. Jean-Claude André, co-inventor of the first 3D printing technology passes away

Jean-Claude André, a French pioneer in 3D printing and co-creator of stereolithography (SLA), has passed away. André, along with Alain Le Méhauté and Olivier de Witte, developed and patented the first SLA method in 1984, predating Charles Hull’s patent by three weeks. However, their invention was abandoned by their employer, Cilas Alcatel, as commercially unviable, allowing Hull to popularize the technology with 3D Systems.

André had an esteemed career, serving as Director of Research at CNRS and contributing to over 400 patents. His legacy as a key figure in additive manufacturing deserves recognition.

READ MORE: www.3dprintingjournal.com

Summary of the most important events in the history of the 3D printing industry published last week:

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