Bambu Lab clarifies its firmware update promises for printers
Reddit users raise the alarm on Bambu Lab X1C’s new software “expiration” date.
UPDATE (April 25, 2024): Bambu Lab immediately updated it’s policy on software update support after the community voiced concern that the flagship X1-Carbon would soon be obsolete. The company states that “products will continue to work for their entire lifetime, with the same feature availability.” Expiration dates were extended by two years for bugfixes and feature updates, and a new line was added for “guaranteed security patch updates” extending two years further.
Bambu Lab recently posted on its company blog that the “first round of product launches” representing the First Generation of the Bambu Lab family is complete. That family of printers includes the X1, P1 and A1 model of machines, all of which have been reviewed by Tom’s Hardware and many of which sit on our list of best 3D printers. Further, the company acknowledges that its firmware infrastructure is still in the early stages of development.
The statement seems counter to a recent discovery by Reddit user Updateing_ht, who found an expiration date on Bambu Lab's guarantee of firmware updates.
So there is only one year left for X1C software updates. I'm choosing my first printer - eyeing for X1C + AMS at first, but this date makes me wonder if I should get an A1 to get started, and upgrade later for more filament support,” wrote Updateing_ht.
The expiration date only appears on the shopping comparison page of Bambu Lab’s website. At the very bottom, a “Guaranteed software update” date is listed. The X1 Carbon series, released in 2022, will expire first on May 31, 2025.
We searched the website and found no other reference to this expiration date. Bambu Lab did not return our request for further information.
It should be noted that firmware updates to any Bambu Lab printer are done automatically through the cloud. When updates are released, the printer’s screen will announce that new firmware is available and give the user the option to download it right away. The firmware is not downloaded from the website and can not be placed on a SD card for offline use.
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The company has been notoriously closed source on both its printers and firmware, but in January begrudgingly allowed users to install third party X1 Plus custom software without the need to jailbreak machines. Bambu Lab insists tight control is the only way it can ensure a quality product. Installing X1 Plus can be done at the user’s own risk and will void the 3D printer’s warranty, even if the original Bambu Lab firmware is reinstalled.
“The internet making a mountain out of an anthill,” states YouTuber Clayton Parker, AKA Uncle Jessy.
Parker’s background is in software and technology. He’s seen this kind of behavior before and told Tom’s Hardware that it is usually a sign of a new product development. “A business can only properly support a product for so long. The Bambu lineup is already pretty robust and bug free.”
How long a 3D printer is supported comes down to philosophy. While a company like Prusa Research will support a printer almost indefinitely, new models are rare and infrequent. In twelve years of doing business, Prusa Research has only released three completely new consumer 3D printers: the Original Prusa i3 design (now in its fourth iteration), the Original Prusa Mini, and the Original Prusa XL.
We’ve not seen other 3D printer manufacturers announce an official end to servicing their printers. Instead, they simply fade away. Creality, one of the biggest and oldest Chinese manufacturers of 3D printers, does not list an end date for firmware, but you can no longer find information on their first printer, the CR-7, launched in 2015. You also won’t find their first popular printer, the CR-10, which launched in 2016. However, you can still find firmware for the best-selling seven-year-old Ender-3, last updated in 2022.
Denise Bertacchi is a Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware US, covering 3D printing. Denise has been crafting with PCs since she discovered Print Shop had clip art on her Apple IIe. She loves reviewing 3D printers because she can mix all her passions: printing, photography, and writing.
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peachpuff As long as you can install 3rd party firmware this is fine, you can't expect infinite firmware updates on everything.Reply -
elleryfg This is wildly incorrect. I just checked BL website and it states 2027 for X1C and 2028 for P1S and A1. That's 3 and 4 years respectively. You should confirm your information before writing a whole article about something. See link belowReply
https://bambulab.com/en/compare -
HaninTH Reply
And it's totally impossible that they have updated the website since they/the internet discovered the anomaly?elleryfg said:This is wildly incorrect. I just checked BL website and it states 2027 for X1C and 2028 for P1S and A1. That's 3 and 4 years respectively. You should confirm your information before writing a whole article about something. See link below
https://bambulab.com/en/compare
If the device works, as expected, why would you need any software updates for a 3D printer? I can understand security updates, for network connected variants, but if the product does what it was sold to do, then extra "features" that come after that are gifts and should not be expected.
The particular printer in this discussion is and will probably stay closed source as this vendor appears to want to take the "Apple" route for sales. That is their choice and if they haven't stated any future delivery of features that were not present on the device when sold, then do not expect them. -
USAFRet Reply
Some of the feature updates have been pretty good.HaninTH said:If the device works, as expected, why would you need any software updates for a 3D printer? I can understand security updates, for network connected variants, but if the product does what it was sold to do, then extra "features" that come after that are gifts and should not be expected.
Lower noise profile, less purge waste during color changes, for instance. -
ripclaw2971 Reply
If you're referring to XPlus here, it's not third-party firmware. XPlus is based on the original firmware and just adds functionality to it. It's like installing an app on an Android smartphone. The underlying system is still the same.peachpuff said:As long as you can install 3rd party firmware this is fine, you can't expect infinite firmware updates on everything.
In addition, XPlus is limited to the X1 series. A completely different firmware runs on the P1 and A1 series.
Furthermore, a group of enthusiasts who develop open source software does not release the manufacturer from its responsibility to ensure the security of its devices. -
ripclaw2971 Reply
Many of the features with which the device is advertised require a cloud connection. Security is therefore an important factor. Of course, you can also use the device without a network connection or only in Lan mode, but then you lose a lot of functionality.HaninTH said:If the device works, as expected, why would you need any software updates for a 3D printer? I can understand security updates, for network connected variants, but if the product does what it was sold to do, then extra "features" that come after that are gifts and should not be expected.
If, like Bambu Lab, you like to see yourself as the Apple of 3D printer manufacturers, you have to measure yourself against that. Apple continues to deliver updates long after a model has been discontinued. Therefore, in my opinion, it was justified to criticize the originally rather short support period.HaninTH said:The particular printer in this discussion is and will probably stay closed source as this vendor appears to want to take the "Apple" route for sales. That is their choice and if they haven't stated any future delivery of features that were not present on the device when sold, then do not expect them. -
HaninTH Reply
Thank you for your reply. I was highly interested in their A1 line of printers, but after further examination, the requirement for internet access for "feature" access is a no-go for me. I guess i will have to continue looking for a multi-color printer with a >280mmx280mm print bed and all of the basic features that seem "standard" for current device (bed leveling, filament detector, etc). Either that or go all in with the latest Prusa XL.ripclaw2971 said:Many of the features with which the device is advertised require a cloud connection. Security is therefore an important factor. Of course, you can also use the device without a network connection or only in Lan mode, but then you lose a lot of functionality.
If, like Bambu Lab, you like to see yourself as the Apple of 3D printer manufacturers, you have to measure yourself against that. Apple continues to deliver updates long after a model has been discontinued. Therefore, in my opinion, it was justified to criticize the originally rather short support period. -
edzieba Also, from the ToU:Reply
7.2 Bambu Lab is committed to ensure a long lifetime of our products, by releasing regular software updates containing bugfixes, new features and security updates. Our promise includes a guaranteed five-year provision of software updates (since the launch of the product), including crucial bug fixes and exciting new features to enhance user experience.
During the five-year period, you can expect frequent updates that add new features which further enhance the user experience, while also solving any bugs that might be present. After this period, we may still bring less-frequent updates containing further improvements, if there are features which can be integrated and the capabilities of the printer support it.
Recognizing the constant evolving landscape of digital threats, and the importance of security, Bambu Lab is also committed to a minimum of seven years of software security updates, a commitment which will extend beyond this period with ongoing coverage of security updates throughout the product's lifecycle if new security issues are identified and need to be patched.
The A1, like other Bambu printers, can be operated in 'LAN mode' as well as completely disconnected from, any networks. When fully isolated, you put your sliced GCODE onto an SD card and insert it just like the decade of 3D printers past. In LAN mode, you can connect to the printer over the local network using Bambu Slicer or Orca Slicer (both open-source), and upload sliced GCODE, view the internal camera, etc. You do lose support for the mobile app (Bambu Handy) though, and need to provide your own VPN solution if you want to talk to the printer from outside your local network - just like a regular 3D printer connected to Octoprint.HaninTH said:Thank you for your reply. I was highly interested in their A1 line of printers, but after further examination, the requirement for internet access for "feature" access is a no-go for me. I guess i will have to continue looking for a multi-color printer with a >280mmx280mm print bed and all of the basic features that seem "standard" for current device (bed leveling, filament detector, etc). Either that or go all in with the latest Prusa XL.
Basically, unless you really want to run your printer from a smartphone app (that cannot slice models, just upload pre-sliced files from Makerworld) then you don't really lose anything from switching to LAN mode. -
HaninTH Reply
Again, I highly appreciate your input on this matter, as there are not a lot of worthwhile options for multi-color printing with the basic "standard" functions we've come to accept from a current generation printer.edzieba said:Also, from the ToU:
The A1, like other Bambu printers, can be operated in 'LAN mode' as well as completely disconnected from, any networks. When fully isolated, you put your sliced GCODE onto an SD card and insert it just like the decade of 3D printers past. In LAN mode, you can connect to the printer over the local network using Bambu Slicer or Orca Slicer (both open-source), and upload sliced GCODE, view the internal camera, etc. You do lose support for the mobile app (Bambu Handy) though, and need to provide your own VPN solution if you want to talk to the printer from outside your local network - just like a regular 3D printer connected to Octoprint.
Basically, unless you really want to run your printer from a smartphone app (that cannot slice models, just upload pre-sliced files from Makerworld) then you don't really lose anything from switching to LAN mode.
Maybe I will still give it a try. The setup you described is exactly how I run my Prusa Minis now, only Prusa's web portal lets you send the GCODE and start/stop the print from there, but you do need to have a USB flash drive inserted in to the printer, for storage of the GCODE.
Again, appreciate your input on the matter as these products are not exactly cheap.