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submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by John@discuss.tchncs.de to c/3dprinting@lemmy.world

I’ve been noticing an unsettling trend in the 3D printing world: more and more printer manufacturers are locking down their devices with proprietary firmware, cloud-based software, and other anti-consumer restrictions. Despite this, they still receive glowing reviews, even from tech-savvy communities.

Back in the day, 3D printing was all about open-source hardware, modding, and user control. Now, it feels like we’re heading towards the same path as smartphones and other consumer tech—walled gardens, forced online accounts, and limited third-party compatibility. Some companies even prevent users from using alternative slicers or modifying firmware without jumping through hoops.

My question is: Has 3D printing gone too mainstream? Are newer users simply unaware (or uninterested) in the dangers of locked-down ecosystems? Have we lost the awareness of FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software) and user freedom that once defined this space?

I’d love to hear thoughts from the community. Do you think this is just a phase, or are we stuck on this trajectory? What can we do to push back against enshitification before it’s too late?

(Transparency Note: I wrote this text myself, but since English is not my first language, I used LLM to refine some formulations. The core content and ideas are entirely my own.)

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[-] Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago

I just want a printer that doesn't require you to upload your gcode to their cloud server before getting permission from them to print.

[-] TheRealKuni@midwest.social 2 points 1 week ago

I just want a printer that doesn't require you to upload your gcode to their cloud server before getting permission from them to print.

Even on Bambu’s locked-down firmware you can just toss the gcode on the SD card and print that way if you don’t want to deal with their cloud service. Or throw it on a flash drive and plug into the USB port.

My previous printer could ONLY function via SD card, so I’m kinda used to that anyway.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Bambu locking down their firmware and forcing everyone through their cloud service is shitty. But you can print without it still.

[-] Lem453@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 week ago
[-] theoretiker@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 1 week ago

"Our cloud analytics tell us that everyone uses cloud to print, so we are removing SD card slots from our printers."

this post was submitted on 25 Mar 2025
281 points (100.0% liked)

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