If you have been part of the 3D printing community for some time, the Bambu Lab controversy won’t be a new topic for you. But things have been heating up since their recent announcement of the new Beta Firmware Update with the new Authorization Control System. Integrating security measures for their cloud network and printers connected to the network and locking out certain third-party apps or features.

As Bad as it Sounds?
We have been dabbling between Orca-Slicer, Bambu Slicer and whatever slicer we need to do our reviews for 3D printers. After comparing some prints in our free time and diving deeper into slicing and handling of G-code; we still consider ourselves total newbies when it comes to this topic.
But it’s no lie that Orca Slicer handles overhangs in a better way that can improve results on some prints. Even though Orca Slicer is a branch of the Bambu Slicer there are slight differences that make or break if you love one or the other.
But let’s get into it and give a short breakdown of what their initial blogpost entailed:
Firmware and Software Updates:
- Beta Release: Available from January 16th for X1 Series printers (firmware version 01.08.03.00 or above).
- Official Release: Scheduled for January 23rd.
- Software Updates: New versions of Bambu Studio (version 01.10.02.64 or above) and Bambu Handy (version 2.17.0 or above) accompany the firmware update.
Critical Operations Requiring Authorization:
- Binding and unbinding the printer.
- Initiating remote video access.
- Performing firmware upgrades.
- Starting print jobs via LAN or cloud mode.
- Controlling motion systems, temperature, fans, AMS settings, calibrations, etc.
Unaffected Operations:
- Sending status information from the printer (e.g., MQTT status push for tools like HomeAssistant).
- Starting print jobs using SD cards.
- General operations outside the listed authorization controls.
Important Information for Users:
- Updating Firmware: Users updating to the latest firmware must also update Bambu Studio and Bambu Handy to their latest versions to ensure full functionality.
- Using Older Firmware: Users opting to retain older firmware versions can continue using previous or new versions of Bambu Studio and Bambu Handy without restrictions.
Third-Party Slicer Integration:
With the new authorization controls, third-party slicing tools like OrcaSlicer will no longer utilize Bambu Studio’s network plug-in API. Instead, Bambu Lab introduces Bambu Connect, a client software designed to securely transmit sliced G-code and 3MF files to the printer, ensuring a smooth and reliable printing experience. Bambu Connect is currently in Beta, with ongoing feature additions, and user feedback is welcomed.
Information for Partners:
- Partners should note the user restrictions outlined above.
- Bambu Lab will provide technical documentation, new software, and support to assist partners in adapting their systems to the new firmware and authorization controls.
- Partners may maintain or downgrade their firmware versions until technical updates are fully implemented.
Why This Hard Change to Block Certain Features for Third-Parties?
Well if you are working with a lot of cloud traffic things can get messy. Outsiders can slow down the network to a crawl prohibiting users from interacting with their printer and setting up prints.
In the worst-case scenario, a hacker could take over your printer and print a trademarked Benchy Remix that has lawyers suing you for copyright infringement. This is a small jest towards the creator of Benchy trying to block and delete Benchy remixes. Overall it sounded like a solid step towards having the convenience of printing through the cloud a bit safer.
The downside is the removal of certain rights that third-party applications rely upon that users have grown accustomed to. But even to cover that Bambu Lab was creating and integrating Bambu Connect. An app that allowed third-party software like Orca Slicer to still be usable, with a few extra clicks. You can still slice prints and have them exported to Bambu Connect which has the correct authorizations to have control of the printer.
Where Does the Bambu Lab Controversy Start?
Well, ever since its booming success in the 3D printer market, Bambu Lab has been the target of some misconceptions and critiques. Bambu Lab is not open source and is too easy for beginners to get into 3D printing.
Certain 3D printing veterans are of the principle that you have to build your printer bolt by bolt and nut by nut to get to know it. “You will learn the ways of 3D printing and the struggles that come with manually levelling your print-bed, you Bambu kids all have not been through the struggles we have.”, it really sounds like “you can’t have fun because I had to struggle and drive to school uphill”.
Rumours have even gone so far that Bambu Lab was remotely starting your printer so you would waste filament. Using the integrated camera to detect if you were home and restarting your previous print, that way you would have to buy more filament from them.
Now things have gone to another level and new false claims have arisen, the haters got their new hook in and turned a security update into a whole debacle of stealing designs, and prints and using certificates to brick printers after a certain time. Someone got their hands on the unreleased Beta version and datamined you would need a subscription to print.
Seriously, our 3D printers let out a lot of poops but what we read the past few days was just pure nonsense.
Bambu Responds to the Bambu Lab Controversy
As of the time of writing, Bambu Lab has just released a blog post in response to the controversy in the community. They addressed and clarified their intentions and how they would impact bigger print farms. Bigger print farms have multiple printers and using Bambu their cloud service was key to optimizing prints and revenue. Let’s quote key aspects of their post here:
We want to make it absolutely clear that all of these claims are entirely false:
- Bambu Lab will remotely disable your printer (“brick” it).
- Firmware updates will block your printer’s ability to print.
- AMS functionality will be restricted, and the use of third-party filament will be disabled.
- Bambu Lab firmware contains trojans or backdoors for unauthorized remote control.
- The printers have a timed killswitch that disables them after a certain period.
- All 3D files printed are monitored, duplicated, or stolen.
- A subscription will be mandatory to use your printer.
They effectively looked back and adapted what the Beta version would offer:
In response, we’ve made the decision to implement an optional LAN mode feature, to provide advanced users with more control and flexibility. Under the updated LAN mode:
- Standard Mode (Default): By default, LAN mode will include an authorization process that ensures robust security. This option is ideal for the majority of users who prioritize security and ease of use. Despite claims to the contrary, LAN mode through Bambu Connect will require neither internet access nor a user account. This hasn’t changed and won’t change.
- Developer Mode (Optional): For advanced users of the X1, P1, A1, and A1 Mini who prefer full control over their network security, an option will be available to leave the MQTT channel, live stream, and FTP open. This feature must be manually enabled on the printer, and users who select this option will assume full responsibility for securing their local network environment. Please note that Bambu Lab will not be able to provide customer support for this mode, as the communication protocols are not officially supported.
So even if you were worried you can run through their LAN mode, dive into the Developer Mode or simply not update until an update satisfies you. You could even go to the offline printer mode and run around with an SD card. Furthermore, Bambu Lab is making specific software for printer farms, detailing how their Bambu Connect will work and what features are governed by it. Read all the details in their latest blog post.
Still Unconvinced or Worried About the Bambu Lab Controversy?
Well, don’t opt into the Beta. Stay on the stable versions and voice your opinion in a civilized way, do your own research and most of all simply enjoy printing. Certain people are just mad that their niche hobby has slowly become popular. That the struggles they had to go through are now swept away by a 20-minute setup time for an almost perfect print out of the box.
And if we think logically, why would Bambu Lab destroy their own reputation and trust in their brand by doing the things they are rumoured to do? We use several brands of filament and all of them work perfectly in the AMS and AMS lite, not once has there been a hiccup between their brand of filament or an off-brand. Our miniature prints even run best with high-fluidity off-brand filament and produce insanely good results. After much testing and tuning, mind you.
Have we all forgotten about Bambu Lab recalling, refunding, adapting, and halting the whole production of the Bambu Lab A1 to prevent these printers from shorting, causing fires or destroying the heatbed connection? They did everything in their power to adapt the product to meet safe and quality standards.
This is the BGeek printing team signing out. We use many brands and platforms and we communicate openly with all our brands. There is no need for a console war in the printing scene, let’s just make cool stuff and share it.