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Bambu Labs to implement an authorization and authentication protection mechanism

The RFID can be side stepped by respooling new filaments onto Bambu spools. I had almost bought the X1C but went to Prusa.
 
I was reading Bambu forum rants till I got sleepy. I am purely a Novice so don't rely on anything I have to say. The real ticked off people are guys using Orca because they know it, or control a farm of machines or hate being corralled into 'control'. I totally get it. The security justification seems a bit weak & most seem worried by what's next. Non Bambu filament detected, so maybe that's deemed a safety risk? (I'm paraphrasing someone else's exaggeration). The Newbs like me who only know Bambu Studio don't seem as fussed, but OTOH their world didn't collapse either. I've been dragging my feet on LAN installation of my A1 out of lack of time & lack of intelligence. Now, maybe I'll just park it in the shop & carry on with my SD card mode, which is a bit primitive apparently. But wait for dust to settle. Maybe if enough pushback on buying that brand, they will tone it down. The world is going to (or already 95%) cloud based subscriptions & verifications so nothing surprises me anymore.
 
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I'm with you on not being fussed about it, especially because 3D printing is something I use once in a while when I want a custom part or because I don't want to pay $30 for a plastic part that should cost $1. 3Dprinting is to supplement other hobbies and interests. That's not to say I'm not against this move (1000% against) but also really not surprised at all and really a larger issue that forces everyone to pursue these profit models.

I've been hacking and pirating since AOL sent 15 min free internet trial via floppy disc through the post. I'm still hanging onto software packages from when you owned then. I don't have any subscription software, and will pirate them out of principle. They aren't getting a cent from me.

I was rooting smartphones and installing custom roms over a decade ago. But today I'm quite happy with my Google Pixel phone because it's something I just want work, not tinker with. I'm definitely locked into the Google ecosystem.

I build my own server instead of buying off-the-shelf NAS systems for the fine control and cost savings. But I get folks that also don't want to fuss with a home-brew server, especially related to invaluable data.

We each negotiate for ourselves what we give and take. The Bambu is still an unbeatable 3D printing product for something that "just works". I've tried a bunch of printers at work through the years and really happy to have the Bambu.
 
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I have held off on 3D printing as well because I was waiting for a more user friendly design that I didn't have to fiddle with to get it going, or adjust as often as some types seem to need. But I worry about what else is around the corner with this now and that if I did really get into it and wanted to fiddle that I would be able too. Sounds like if this firmware change stays I would need to get a second printer for trying different software, and I don't want to have to do that. Can you use a different slicer (ie. orca) and put it on the microSD card to take it to the printer? Can you use the camera if you initialize the print from the MicroSD? So much I don't know about 3D printing.
 
pdentrem said:
No need to reprogram, just replace with like for like. Respool other make of PETG onto a Bambu PETG spool for example.
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I've never bothered to try to reuse the rfid tags. New spools or refills come with new tags. Other filament providers don't use tags and they work just fine. Bambu has some presets for numerous other manufacturers. Just tell it what you're using and it works just fine. If the manufacturer isn't listed you can just pick generic filament and, again, it works just fine. I thought that the rfid tags also kept track of how much filament was left on the spool but I could be wrong about that.
 
Hruul said:
I have held off on 3D printing as well because I was waiting for a more user friendly design that I didn't have to fiddle with to get it going, or adjust as often as some types seem to need. But I worry about what else is around the corner with this now and that if I did really get into it and wanted to fiddle that I would be able too. Sounds like if this firmware change stays I would need to get a second printer for trying different software, and I don't want to have to do that. Can you use a different slicer (ie. orca) and put it on the microSD card to take it to the printer? Can you use the camera if you initialize the print from the MicroSD? So much I don't know about 3D printing.
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So far as I understand it, if you use LAN printing you can’t use the camera in the app.
Yes you can use another slicer, put it on the SD card. What I don’t know is what format the sliced file must be in.
 
I thought my friend said he uses Orca for slicing (which he uses for all his printers so its common & familiar. Then specifies his Bambu model (from a vast array of every common 3DP) & whatever that file format is, his Bambu (mini) sees on display & Print. I don't know if he was monitoring print through an app or just mentioning the app was available. He may have just been sticking SD card in just based on his own setup.
 
Doggggboy said:
I thought that the rfid tags also kept track of how much filament was left on the spool but I could be wrong about that.
Click to expand...

That's how the HP and Canon laser printers work. The stupid toner cartridge keeps track of how much it's used and then tells the printer to quit before its empty. FkHeads won't even let you finish using what you bought.

I HATE THIS SQUEEZE ME TILL I'M DRY CRAP!
 
To me the answer is always follow the money. What advantage monetarily does BL gain by hosting a cloud service that is moderately data intense? How does it pay for itself and make profit? You could argue customer contact, but that is probably one of the more expensive ways to do it.
Data sharing and selling - there is some money there - not sure if that even comes close to covering cost either.
So what is left - its built into their business model as a cost of doing business? Highly unlikely.

Or as the internet community is suspicious of, they are planning to squeeze money out of users and this is the 1st step?
Without real transparency from BL (which we'll never get) its a guessing game, but one I'd bet on not being in favor of the end customer $ over the long run. BL stormed onto the market not as a cost leader but as a user friendly option for 3D printing. Any action they take that can be sugar coated in "makes the user experience better" but results in more cost to the consumer is justifiable. They are the Apple of 3D printing - your phone is slower? It was for your benefit to make it last longer, etc. Will be the same for filament etc.. that filament isn't approved, they won't disable it, just make it inconvenient to use - will print more slowly to "Protect" your printer or to ensure a good print.
 
Bambu's locked architecture was always the one big thing that kept me from getting one (that and money lol). Not that I really tinker all that much with stuff to really exploit the open source printer market, but I do prefer open source stuff like that. Their usability and somewhat workarounds eased my mind about it, and it didn't really seem like it was as closed in as people made it out to be. I was oh so very close to buying one during the black Friday deals a few times. But just didn't have that disposable cash to spend, or the burning immediate need for one. Glad I didn't get one now, and will go back to my dreams of building a voron at some point when more time, money and need allow for it. All while using my little kingroon to get me through my sporadic printing needs.
 
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