this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2025
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[–] [email protected] 39 points 1 week ago (7 children)

I get the appeal of Bambu printers, I've been tempted myself to get one... but the thing that keeps me away is that they are closed source and I don't want a world with closed source 3D printers because when the company goes evil - and they all eventually do - I don't want to be held hostage. I've fallen in that trap before and don't want to again.

Don't give them backlash, instead stop using their printers. Release your models under a license that requires the printer that prints it to be open source. Let friends and colleagues know the dangers of supporting such a company.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

Release your models under a license that requires the printer that prints it to be open source.

That has about as much sway as me telling you what bowl you must eat your breakfast from. Completely unenforceable.

Restricting models in such a way is also in itself against core values.

Bambu make great printing appliances but that's about it. It's still a good recommendation for someone who just wants to print as a starting point, and unconcerned with much else. The same kind of people would buy OEM cartridges at 3-5x cost for their paper printers and simply don't care. File goes in, model comes out. Vendor lock-in doesn't matter to them.

Other options exist for those of us who want to tinker, learn a thing or two, or simply just be in control of their shit.

Still, there will always be a 'but...' when I'm mentioning the company to someone looking to start printing. Then they can decide based on their own values.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago (1 children)

There is also a problem of printers calling home regularly with unknown payload. Add to it that these devices have a camera it's not a good look. Anecdotally mine stopped working in "lan-mode" after two or three weeks before it was allowed to connect and phone home again.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

That is also a very good point. Not something I would ever allow.

Keep the target audience in mind though, who probably have Ring cameras and other 'phoney-homey' budget Chinese crap littered around. Still doesn't really register on their radar.

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