What Bambu Promises and Doesn't Promise After the Controversial Update of Its 3D Printer.
Users were very upset with Bambu Connect.
Bambu Lab, the company responsible for some of the most appreciated 3D printers, has faced a challenging week filled with doubts and controversies. Since last Thursday, several creators have decided to stop acquiring printers from the brand and have even removed their 3D models from online repositories. This reaction comes after the announcement that the company will implement a new proprietary authentication mechanism that will limit the use of third-party tools for remote control of their printers.
Although users will still be able to upload files via SD cards or use the Bambu cloud, the previous method of remote printing through third-party slicers will no longer be available unless a new desktop application called "Bambu Connect" is downloaded, which would function as an intermediary. Bambu has stated that "unauthorized third-party software will not be able to perform critical operations." While the company emphasized that this update would be optional, it also presented it as a necessary measure to protect the printers against remote hacking. This situation raised concerns among owners, who saw a potential trend toward excessive control by the company.
Some users began to envision a future where Bambu could not only restrict the use of third-party filaments but also implement a subscription service for the software of its print farm, on the premise that the printers would stop functioning if payments were not made. In an attempt to soothe concerns, the company published a clarifying blog, assuring that the new tool would not require internet access or account creation, in addition to offering a "Developer Mode" that would allow local access without authentication, although this could compromise cloud functionality.
The situation further complicated when it was reported that Bambu had censored criticism on its subreddit and aligned with the developer of Orca Slicer, claiming that they were working together on an integration when, in fact, there was no formal agreement. Additionally, it was revealed that the security of their new Bambu Connect application had been compromised, as hackers managed to obtain their private keys and authentication certificates.
In this context, the company responded to several questions raised, assuring that it currently will not require subscriptions to control the printers over a local network. They also committed to not restricting the use of third-party filaments or monitoring the files sent between users and their printers in LAN mode. Despite this, there is concern about the possibility of future restrictions, as the company could not commit to maintaining certain functionalities for printers that have not yet been developed.
Additionally, Bambu stated that it had not considered interoperable systems to secure the printers as it sought to protect its entire ecosystem of products and clarified that the Orca Slicer developer had been in constant communication, although previous claims about a close collaboration were misinterpreted. Finally, the ability to revert to an earlier firmware will be guaranteed if necessary.