Bambu Lab: Difference between revisions
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==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
===Authorization Control System (2025)=== | ===Bambu Lab A1 NTC thermistor fire and meltdown hazard=== | ||
{{Excerpt|Bambu Lab A1 NTC thermistor fire and meltdown hazard}} | |||
===Authorization Control System (''2025'')=== | |||
{{Main|Bambu Lab Authorization Control System}} | {{Main|Bambu Lab Authorization Control System}} | ||
This new authentication mechanism resulted in numerous designed-for and compatible third-party products, both software and hardware, being made incompatible with the printers going forward. The chief products affected were (including but not limited to): Panda Touch, OrcaSlicer, any third-party product making use of the MQTT protocol. Soon after the updated software was released, users managed to | In early 2025, Bambu Lab announced changes to future firmwares that would implement a centralised authentication mechanism that regulated connections and control over the customer's 3D printer. This new firmware would be mandatory to install and could have prevented the customer's printer from functioning until it had been. This effectively forced customers to agree to new Terms and Conditions surrounding the use of their printer, which they did not agree with upon purchase of the product.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyrer-Jones |first=Alex |date=20 Jan 2025 |title=Bambu Lab Responds to Backlash Over New Firmware Update |url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/bambu-lab-responds-to-backlash-over-new-firmware-update-235771/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214090029/https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/bambu-lab-responds-to-backlash-over-new-firmware-update-235771/ |archive-date=14 Feb 2025 |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=3D Printing Industry}}</ref> | ||
This new authentication mechanism resulted in numerous designed-for and compatible third-party products, both software and hardware, being made incompatible with the printers going forward. The chief products affected were (including but not limited to): Panda Touch, OrcaSlicer, any third-party product making use of the MQTT protocol. Soon after the updated software was released, users managed to extract necessary security keys from it to continue using their third-party products. Amendments have presently been made that would allow some or all of these products to work with workarounds or extra software or tools from Bambu embedded into these products. | |||
Bambu Lab later responded to public outrage and controversy over these changes, stating that feedback has been provided and they would amend the firmware's new security measures with developer options that would unlock the use of the 3D printer without connecting to Bambu Lab's services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=19 Jan 2025 |title=Bambu Lab Firmware Update Forces Cloud Dependency & User Lock-In - AVOID THEIR 3D PRINTERS! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIyaDD8onIE |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=aIyaDD8onIE |archive-date=19 Jan 2025}}</ref> However, the wording of these updates has been widely criticised by consumer rights conscious people as implying these were good-will gestures or extra granted rights, or that restriction of functionality was never on the roadmap. | Bambu Lab later responded to public outrage and controversy over these changes, stating that feedback has been provided and they would amend the firmware's new security measures with developer options that would unlock the use of the 3D printer without connecting to Bambu Lab's services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=19 Jan 2025 |title=Bambu Lab Firmware Update Forces Cloud Dependency & User Lock-In - AVOID THEIR 3D PRINTERS! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIyaDD8onIE |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=aIyaDD8onIE |archive-date=19 Jan 2025}}</ref> However, the wording of these updates has been widely criticised by consumer rights conscious people as implying these were good-will gestures or extra granted rights, or that restriction of functionality was never on the roadmap. | ||
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Bambu Lab vocally spoke out against the public's reaction, calling many of the valid concerns "unfortunate misinformation", "false accusations" and "baseless allegations".<ref name="bambu-connect-response">{{Cite web |date=20 Jan 2025 |title=Updates and Third-Party Integration with Bambu Connect |url=https://blog.bambulab.com/updates-and-third-party-integration-with-bambu-connect/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216001409/https://blog.bambulab.com/updates-and-third-party-integration-with-bambu-connect/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026 |access-date=19 Mar 2025 |website=[[Bambu Lab]] Blog}}</ref> The company's initial blog post announcing the firmware changes was also edited after publication to include an FAQ section addressing whether users could remain on old firmware, a section that was not present on the day of the announcement when community members first raised their concerns.<ref name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2" /> | Bambu Lab vocally spoke out against the public's reaction, calling many of the valid concerns "unfortunate misinformation", "false accusations" and "baseless allegations".<ref name="bambu-connect-response">{{Cite web |date=20 Jan 2025 |title=Updates and Third-Party Integration with Bambu Connect |url=https://blog.bambulab.com/updates-and-third-party-integration-with-bambu-connect/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216001409/https://blog.bambulab.com/updates-and-third-party-integration-with-bambu-connect/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026 |access-date=19 Mar 2025 |website=[[Bambu Lab]] Blog}}</ref> The company's initial blog post announcing the firmware changes was also edited after publication to include an FAQ section addressing whether users could remain on old firmware, a section that was not present on the day of the announcement when community members first raised their concerns.<ref name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2" /> | ||
===Cease and desist against OrcaSlicer fork maintainer (2026)=== | ===Cease and desist against OrcaSlicer fork maintainer (''2026'')=== | ||
{{ | {{Excerpt|Bambu Lab cease and desist against OrcaSlicer fork developer}} | ||
===Farm Manager subscription potential=== | ===Farm Manager subscription potential=== | ||
{{Main|Bambu Farm Manager}} | {{Main|Bambu Farm Manager}} | ||
Bambu Lab's Farm Manager EULA contains language reserving the right to introduce fees for the software and connected services, including for commercial uses. The EULA states in capitalised text that the company "MAY CHARGE A FEE TO CERTAIN USERS OR FOR CERTAIN USES (E.G. COMMERCIAL USES)" and "RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AND MAY CHANGE THE LICENSE AND FEE STRUCTURE."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-27 |title=BAMBU FARM MANAGER EULA AND SERVICE AGREEMENT |url=https://bambulab.com/en/policies/bambu-farm-manager-service-agreement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/3ZHOP |archive-date=2026-03-07 |access-date=19 Mar 2025 |website=[[Bambu Lab]]}}</ref> Despite publicly denying any subscription model,<ref name="bambu-connect-response" /> the EULA language establishes the contractual groundwork for one. | Bambu Lab's Farm Manager EULA contains language reserving the right to introduce fees for the software and connected services, including for commercial uses. The EULA states in capitalised text that the company "MAY CHARGE A FEE TO CERTAIN USERS OR FOR CERTAIN USES (E.G. COMMERCIAL USES)" and "RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AND MAY CHANGE THE LICENSE AND FEE STRUCTURE."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-27 |title=BAMBU FARM MANAGER EULA AND SERVICE AGREEMENT |url=https://bambulab.com/en/policies/bambu-farm-manager-service-agreement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/3ZHOP |archive-date=2026-03-07 |access-date=19 Mar 2025 |website=[[Bambu Lab]]}}</ref> Despite publicly denying any subscription model,<ref name="bambu-connect-response" /> the EULA language establishes the contractual groundwork for one. | ||
===Helio Additive=== | ===Helio Additive=== | ||
In mid 2025, Bambu Lab added a new functionality in a form of a third party cloud service where you can send your design to get a thermal analysis, which can be used later to optimize the print adjusting the temperature (for [https://www.helioadditive.com/pricing paid membership]). Besides privacy concerns of sharing the designs with a Chinese startup, the functionality is restricted to an online-only model, with no offline simulation alternative, limiting potential open-source or community-driven innovation. | In mid-2025, Bambu Lab added a new functionality in a form of a third party cloud service where you can send your design to get a thermal analysis, which can be used later to optimize the print adjusting the temperature (for [https://www.helioadditive.com/pricing paid membership]). Besides privacy concerns of sharing the designs with a Chinese startup, the functionality is restricted to an online-only model, with no offline simulation alternative, limiting potential open-source or community-driven innovation. | ||
In 2026 this was integrated into bambu slicer as non-removable advertising <ref>{{Cite web |title=Mastodon post from @[email protected] |url=https://connectified.com/@masukomi/116736929422875166 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/1HHyv |archive-date=2026-06-12 |website=connectified}}</ref> | |||
==Comparisons to similar practices== | ==Comparisons to similar practices== | ||
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[[HP]]'s printer firmware updates have rendered third-party ink cartridges unusable, leading to class-action settlements in both the United States and the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=2025-03-19 |title=HP avoids monetary damages over bricked printers in class-action settlement |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/hp-avoids-monetary-damages-over-bricked-printers-in-class-action-settlement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250319231817/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/hp-avoids-monetary-damages-over-bricked-printers-in-class-action-settlement/ |archive-date=2025-03-19 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> The Federal Trade Commission's May 2021 report ''Nixing the Fix'' described firmware-mediated cartridge restrictions as a recurring repair-policy issue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nixing the Fix: An FTC Report to Congress on Repair Restrictions |author=Federal Trade Commission |url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/nixing-fix-ftc-report-congress-repair-restrictions/nixing_the_fix_report_final_5521_630pm-508_002.pdf |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=2021-05-06 |access-date=2026-05-10 |url-status=live}}</ref> | [[HP]]'s printer firmware updates have rendered third-party ink cartridges unusable, leading to class-action settlements in both the United States and the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=2025-03-19 |title=HP avoids monetary damages over bricked printers in class-action settlement |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/hp-avoids-monetary-damages-over-bricked-printers-in-class-action-settlement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250319231817/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/hp-avoids-monetary-damages-over-bricked-printers-in-class-action-settlement/ |archive-date=2025-03-19 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> The Federal Trade Commission's May 2021 report ''Nixing the Fix'' described firmware-mediated cartridge restrictions as a recurring repair-policy issue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nixing the Fix: An FTC Report to Congress on Repair Restrictions |author=Federal Trade Commission |url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/nixing-fix-ftc-report-congress-repair-restrictions/nixing_the_fix_report_final_5521_630pm-508_002.pdf |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=2021-05-06 |access-date=2026-05-10 |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Within the 3D-printing industry, the now-defunct manufacturer [[MakerBot]] followed a similar trajectory, shifting from open-source, DIY-focused machines to closed-source, proprietary ones, which ultimately drove customers to less-expensive open-source competitors and contributed to MakerBot losing its position as an industry leader.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benchoff |first=Brian |date=2016-04-28 |title=The MakerBot Obituary |url=https://hackaday.com/2016/04/28/the-makerbot-obituary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251208222057/https://hackaday.com/2016/04/28/the-makerbot-obituary/ |archive-date=2025-12-08 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website= | Within the 3D-printing industry, the now-defunct manufacturer [[MakerBot]] followed a similar trajectory, shifting from open-source, DIY-focused machines to closed-source, proprietary ones, which ultimately drove customers to less-expensive open-source competitors and contributed to MakerBot losing its position as an industry leader.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benchoff |first=Brian |date=2016-04-28 |title=The MakerBot Obituary |url=https://hackaday.com/2016/04/28/the-makerbot-obituary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251208222057/https://hackaday.com/2016/04/28/the-makerbot-obituary/ |archive-date=2025-12-08 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Hackaday}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Creality]] | *[[Creality]] | ||
*[[MakerBot]] | *[[MakerBot]] | ||
*[[Formlabs]] | |||
*[[Bambu Lab Authorization Control System]] | *[[Bambu Lab Authorization Control System]] | ||
*[[Bambu Farm Manager]] | *[[Bambu Farm Manager]] | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | |||
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | |||
[[Category:Companies]] | |||
[[Category:Bambu Lab]] | [[Category:Bambu Lab]] | ||
[[Category:Feature Ransom]] | [[Category:Feature Ransom]] | ||
[[Category:3D printers]] | [[Category:3D printers]] | ||
[[Category:Open source]] | [[Category:Open source]] | ||
[[Category:3D printing]] | |||