'Fuck you, Bambu': How one private message could change the face of 3D printing

https://www.theverge.com/tech/931532/bambu-agpl-pawel-jarczak-open-source-threat-dmca-github

by tambourine_man • 2 months ago

115 99 2 months ago

twentyfiveoh1• 2 months ago

https://archive.is/p6ufq

justinclift5• 2 months ago

Weirdly, archive.is is timing out for me whereas archive.vn is working: https://archive.vn/p6ufq

dd8601fn• 2 months ago

Thanks. This sounds a LOT like the bullshit Anker does with their (now largely abandoned) 3d printers. They forked a slicer and locked people out of the devices unless you’re using theirs.

syntaxing• 2 months ago

Serious question, I have a Bambulab printer now. What is a good next printer option? Prusa is way too expensive without a decent AMS alternative. Flashforge is doing some sketchy stuff with their maker site + AI. Is Creality or QIDI the best next options?

sdenton4• 2 months ago

Prusa is awesome, and a great next printer once you know you're in.

sen• 2 months ago

I’ve owned half a dozen printers (Prusa, Bambu, and Creality) and help manage a hackerspace with a print farm of mixed brands, and I won’t personally touch any brand other than Prusa now for actually getting prints done.

There’s plenty of other printers that can do the same or better and/or cheaper if you want “building and managing the printer” to be half the hobby, which is a totally fair thing and can be lots of fun if you’re into tinkering, but for a printer that just prints things as a tool there’s absolutely nothing close to Prusa and they’re worth every cent.

silversmith2• 2 months ago

That used to be the case. Less so now - the Chinese brands tend to work right out of the box.

I run an Elegoo Centauri Carbon ar home, and the building and managing process was unscrewing couple transport bolts and clicking "self calibrate" button. From what I've seen, Creality is the same way now too.

Yes, the old Ender 3 I used to have demanded attention every other print. But it's not the norm now.

I'm sure Prusa makes a better product, and it probably starts to make economic sense if you run a print farm. But for home use, a 300€ box that happily melts plastic into whatever shape I need is a sweet deal. It even has a 50€ multi material extension box now, however that's on months long backorder.

_zoltan_• 2 months ago

building and managing a printer is far from a hobby. it's like the Linux desktop people who just fight with their system instead of enjoying MacOS.

the_af7• 2 months ago

I don't know about other brands or even models, but I can attest that the Bambu A1 Mini "just works".

I precisely wanted to avoid another hobby, of which I have too many already. 3D printing as a hobby doesn't appeal to me, I just wanted something that solved the problem and was relatively cheap. The A1 is this for me, it's as close as a fire and forget appliance as I could find.

Not saying there aren't better alternatives, just that it simply works for me.

kiba5• 2 months ago

INDX is an up and coming option that will probably change how multimaterial printing done, hopefully. I bought the founder edition but it will be a long time coming.

As an aspiring business owner, I am looking to transition to a more open printer as the OCL isn't something I want to rely on.

jogu3• 2 months ago

What’s wrong with the OCL if you’re a business owner?

GZGavinZhao3• 2 months ago

I assume you're into multi-material printing and want a true multi-extruder setup. Then, quality wise your remaining options are: Prusa, Flashforge, and Snapmaker. Snapmaker very recently just shot themselves in the foot in a similar way that Bambu did, so you're left with Prusa and Flashforge. Of the two remaining, I really only trust Prusa.

Yes you pay a lot more, but I guess that's some sense voting with your wallet... I'm personally going to buy a Prusa after I stabilize where I live.

VorpalWay9• 2 months ago

Another option would be a Voron kit with INDX or some other tool changer added to it.

(Also, what did Snapmaker do? I thought they were relatively innocuous?)

ssl-3• 2 months ago

I think that you're just asking for printers that are strictly offline -- and by "offline," I mean: They don't connect to any mothership, ever, nor do they have any facility by which to do so.

There's a ton of printers that are strictly offline. Some are older and some are newer, but there's a ton of them either way. That "offline" part is simple to accomplish.

Can you talk more about what else are you looking to achieve so the field can be pared down a bit?

microtonal2• 2 months ago

I think the answer is still Prusa. It's mostly Chinese companies undercutting Prusa's price and they probably care as little about free software licenses and users as Bambu.

I saw this mess coming from miles ahead (and it will repeat itself), so when it was time to replace our Ender 3v2, I got a Prusa printer. Yes, it was much more expensive than Bambu, but at some point we have to put our money where our mouth is. We cannot talk all the time about open source, consumer friendliness, the right to repair, etc. and then reward companies that don't give a shit about it. So our money went to Prusa.

It's a great printer too!

Gigachad• 2 months ago

The Prusa i3 mk4 is about 4 times as expensive as the roughly equivalent A1. Their stuff also seems to have less features and less polish.

I get voting with your wallet but not many people want to spend 4x more for a worse product.

VorpalWay9• 2 months ago

The thing is, a Prusa will last way longer, and when something breaks it is fully serviceable. All the cheap Chinese brands are at best only partially serviceable. Just the other day I saw a post about a BambuLabs X1C that had to be thrown out because of a pully that was worn out and not replaceable.

Snapmaker (also Chinese) seem to be doing things better at the moment, but only time will tell how the serviceability is.

For me personally, the only viable choices today would be a Prusa Core One (possibly with INDX for multi-material, I don't care about MMU/AMS, those are just for multi-colour and with a lot of waste) or a Voron 2.4. My Prusa Mk3.9s bedslinger is still going strong though, and I don't expect to replace it any time soon.

BozeWolf2• 2 months ago

Is it worth the upgrade to 3.x? I have the mk3s for years now and I love it. No issues at all. Bought it after I finished my freelance job at Ultimaker, as I had to return my S3. I wanted a premium experience, which prusa sure has. Considering upgrading the 3 or buy a new prusa core something something.

Second hand market for prusa printers is decent as well.

consp• 2 months ago

If anyone has a flashforge check out the alternative OS with all the normal goodies without the proprietary crap for the 5m. I adjusted most of the original on printer display code for it back in the first version and I guess it has been improved by now (don't have the printer anymore). Would not recommend to buy one now since they "open source" their code but won't provide the makefile to build it which likely contains a bunch of external references. So you cannot build your own klipper code for it or update it in any way. They raised the "proprietary code" argument of course which is bs on the level of an entire herd.

chime2• 2 months ago

Depends on your budget but I am extremely happy with Snapmaker U1. I print with ASA, PETG, and TPU. It prints PLA very well by default. It runs klipper, gives you full SSH with root. I installed paxx12's extended firmware using a USB flash drive - https://github.com/paxx12-snapmaker-u1/SnapmakerU1-Extended-... and have been able to get 20+ fps camera feed.

DoctorOetker7• 2 months ago

So Bambu's argument hinges on "impersonation" claim of Jarczak's modified client using the same user agent string?

If a user compiles official BambuStudio from source, does BambuLabs then also claim their non-bit-identical client is also impersonating the "real" BambuStudio?

Or are they abusing user agents strings as authentication mechanism?

If they don't consider it abuse, but rather legitimate use of agent strings as authentication mechanism, then are they effectively openly arguing they left the user-agent-as-credential in the public repository? BambuLabs is going to claim in court that it publishes login credentials to its network in its open source BambuStudio, and then complaining that people actually use them?

If I bring my post-it with all my computer passwords to CCC and wave it in front of any camera I find, can I then sue the CCC and others filming, because they are spreading my credentials?

Or should I be laughed away in court?

RachelF• 2 months ago

I think the weak precedent here is Apple vs Palm:

Palm devices pretended to be iPods so that users could use iTunes to copy music to them. Apple threatened legal action and Palm backed down.

Tepix• 2 months ago

The ipods weren’t open source, however

altmanaltman2• 2 months ago

I mean if you do enter a legal case, they cannot just laugh away and be like "oh DoctorOetker such a silly case". They will have to take it seriously and follow all legal procedures. I don't know why people think law is some commonsense topic when it's highly technical and domain-based.

DoctorOetker7• 2 months ago

I'm not asking what the courts do, I'm asking what they should do?

techjamie• 2 months ago

That's called a motion to dismiss and it does happen. Maybe it wouldn't in this particular case, but not every case gets the full 9 yards of examination if one side's argument is bad enough.

sznio• 2 months ago

Funniest thing is how this compares to web browsers impersonating each other in the user agent string. Should Mozilla sue everyone?

kelnos• 2 months ago

If I were to leave a key to my house in public, it would still be breaking and entering if someone entered my house without my permission.

Not saying Bambu is in the right here, but your view of how the law works is a bit lacking.

dns_snek2• 2 months ago

You didn't leave a key somewhere, you distributed the key publicly and gave everyone permission to use it.

Now you're threatening someone for taking and posting a photo of that key.

tdeck• 2 months ago

It's sort of ironic that all the money going to "teach Bambu a lesson" is ultimately defending a guy who is building free tooling that specifically adds value to the Bambu platform. In a sense they win either way.

justinclift5• 2 months ago

On one hand, sure. On the other hand, it seems Bambu Lab's intentions are to lock down their ecosystem and extract rent (ala HP and printer ink).

So, if the Vizio case works out for OSS licenses, then Bambu Lab's likely won't be able to lock things down in the way they're intending (unless they expend significant effort to rewrite code).

That'd "stop" them from winning in the way they'd like, to the benefit of the wider Community of Bambu Labs users.

the_af7• 2 months ago

Extract rent how? Mandatory paid subscription?

I cannot see the future but I believe this fear is unsubstantiated.

DoctorOetker7• 2 months ago

I think more desirable would be to develop a FOSS server-side stack so people can self-host or use Western cloud alternatives.

It's nice to have pinky promise that BambuLabs cloud service doesn't keep copies of your model files, potentially keeps track of print frequencies (is this a prototype or a finished design?), ... it's easy to assume they wouldn't know what that jig you designed for work is for, but if they collect or buy sufficient data with public databases (where was the printer shipped? what business is registered in this location?); its probably very easy to follow and steal jigs / tooling designs / ... and to organize identification of its use by sector.

fmobus• 2 months ago

Western cloud alternatives might stumble upon other issue: western governments forcing said cloud providers to add filters to their pipelines. It might start as just a filter to prevent gun parts, but there's no reason it can't evolve into a filter that blocks you from making replacement parts for commercial products in general.

Offline/LAN mode is, truly, the only solution.

itrunsdoomguy• 2 months ago

I wonder whether Bambu printers run Doom.

DanMcInerney• 2 months ago

Me and a buddy, victor teisller, hacked the most popular 3D printer a few years ago (flashforge) to turn it into a major fire hazard through reverse engineering the firmware update remotely. Changed the max temp of the extruder to the temp of the Sun lol. These things are a fascinating security target because they're an easy place to turn abstract digital hacking into physical repersussions that can literally murder.

https://www.theregister.com/security/2020/04/13/how-to-make-...

silisili2• 2 months ago

I'm not in the community, so I'm taking this article at face value. If I read correctly, he made software that possibly exploited a security gap, they asked him to remove it, then he demanded free hardware. They said no, and the conversation turned sour.

Why is everyone mad at them? I'm not blaming either side, but it sounds like a rather typical failed negotiation.

digitalPhonix2• 2 months ago

that possibly exploited a security gap

It set a HTTP user agent string...

silisili2• 2 months ago

I'm quoting the article without technical analysis or personal biases.

But he wanted to be “properly acknowledged” for possibly revealing “a significant security gap

Asmod4n• 2 months ago

He just copied their AGPL licensed code, they send the DMCA notice because he didn’t change their user agent string.

simoncion• 2 months ago

Why is everyone mad at them?

Because they're unjustifiably being huge pricks [0] and violating an OSS license that covers the software that they've built their commercial product on top of. [1]

[0] <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIbpQtoz6hs>

[1] <https://sfconservancy.org/news/2026/may/18/bambu-studio-3d-p...>

IdiotSavage3• 2 months ago

I have a problem:

I'm in the market for a new 3D printer. My old Ultimaker 2 is still going strong, but it's from a different generation and doesn't fit my needs anymore. Looking purely at features, I really want a Bambu Lab X2D. However I hate what that company is doing, don't want to give them my money and don't want to lock myself into their increasingly locked down ecosystem.

Features I want:

- 2 nozzles (print parts with a different support material or a combination of solid and TPU)

- make simple 2-color prints without manual intervention (to add labels on parts, only a few layers require two colors)

- hassle-free filament storage (protected from dust and moisture, multiple spools ready to print at all times)

- a choice of different nozzles (e.g. 0.8 mm) which can be swapped easily

- able to print ABS reliably (or another material that is more heat resistant than PLA), the Ultimaker 2 with its open chamber is not good at this (parts lift off and warp)

- hassle-free operation (no tinkering)

Don't need:

- cloud stuff (I print everything locally, my own models)

What should I buy?

cromka• 2 months ago

See if Qidi meets your requirements

IdiotSavage3• 2 months ago

They all seem to be single nozzle.

VorpalWay9• 2 months ago

You didn't specify a price range, but a Prusa Core One with INDX, or a Prusa XL could work if you aren't price sensitive.

I have heard good things about the Snapmaker U1 that just released, though apparently the slicer software isn't quite there yet, but you could just run stock OrcaSlicer instead.

Time will tell how reliable and more importantly serviceable the Snapmaker is. Prusas are renowned for both of those.

IdiotSavage3• 2 months ago

The upcoming INDX looks promising. But I can't see how Prusa solves the "dust and moisture" problem. They don't have something like Bambu Lab's AMS, do they?

Same problem with the Snapmaker U1.

Edit: the Snapmaker U1 also seems to have an open top, which is problematic for ABS, I assume.

tda2• 2 months ago

But what does Prusa offer for dust and moisture free filament storage? Why doesn't Prusa copy the "enclosed filament storage on top of printer' solution that is so much better then spools dangling on the side? I don;t want to but a BamuLabs I am willing to spend 2k+, but not on a printer that does not have a properly integrated filament solution.

leke• 2 months ago

I've just bought my first 3D printer and I decided against Bamboo because of the drama that has happened lately, and I'm glad I did.

ChrisArchitect• 2 months ago

[dupe] Discussion on many of the linked articles:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48109224

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48175820

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48115127

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48115681

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48186583

Etc etc

explodes• 2 months ago

How is this a dupe? It's new information, and my take is that it's one of the least biased articles about the topic.

ageitgey• 2 months ago

This is such an interesting case because all sides are talking past each other and it doesn't really fit the pattern of past vendor lock-in / open source scandals. It's nuanced.

Empirically compared to most tech products in 2026, Bambu products have very little lock-in and are relatively open. But they are handling communication so poorly, they are creating their own drama and blowback for no gain while managing to piss off every OSS fan in the world.

Bambu's model is you can either (1) use the product off their cloud and do whatever you want OR (2) you can use their cloud but are locked to remote controlling the printer with their app. That's empirically more open than most home smart tech products (robo vacs, playstations, smart fridges, whatever) which don't give you the first option at all. Bambu literally lets you disable all their cloud and auth features with one click and use open source apps instead.

The issue is that Bambu made their closed cloud too good, so people really want to use it. Their cloud mobile app is way better then any other vendor.

Bambu has never done anything even remotely similar to HP requiring you to use their refills, yet people repeat this myth online like it's inevitable. Meanwhile the very popular eufyMake UV 2.5D printer literally has ink cartridges with lockout chips in them an nobody complains at all.

Where Bambu has totally failed is (1) they changed the cloud access rules after releasing their first products which people absolutely hate and (2) they are terrible at communication, making awkward threats at OSS developers who try to access their cloud without permission.

The funniest part is the only reason the developer was able to access their cloud is because Bambu supports Linux with OSS software. The Linux software isn't notarized, so they couldn't lock access to their cloud to a certificate. The 'hack' was just running the Linux cloud auth code on Mac/Windows.

This creates a situation where the actual details of the dispute are pretty nuanced, some people are vaguely mad at Bambu for things they absolutely aren't doing (like locking out 3rd party filament), and yet Bambu is still creating an army of haters to achieve basically nothing useful for themselves.

The smart move would have been to totally ignore the OSS developer and just lock down their cloud service on the server side. Then there would have been no drama and they would have achieved their goals.

Bambu needs to hire a western PR person who understands what is going on here to clean this up. The whole thing is dumb, avoidable, and pointless. Even if Bambu 'wins', they achieve nothing for the company.

The other nuance though is that Bambu is outselling other brands enormously and their sales this past Christmas were bonkers. No other vendor is even in the same league. HN readers will be buying Prusa or whatever, but Bambu is servicing a different market segment in which Prusa is totally irrelevant and has microscopic sales. But it's worth remembering that this entire drama is over something that literally does not affect 99% of Bambu's user base who happily use their cloud apps and have no reason to try anything else.

satonakamoto• 2 months ago

Just same as root an Apple device.

lumirth• 2 months ago

Bambu started this whole charade right after I bought my very first printer of theirs. Unfortunately, outside of the return window.

Rest assured, my next printer will not be a Bambu, and in the meantime I only buy 3rd part replacement parts and filament. Does Bambu do market research? I’d love to see which knucklehead put together the powerpoint that convinced them that their remarkably technical audience would be amenable to such tactics.