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.)
The biggest thing stopping me from doing anything is that the steps to do something are multiplicative for me rather than additive how it seems for other people. If I’m dreading fixing and tuning my printer, then I just won’t print anything. For months. Until a magic day comes when I’m able to get on with it (Yeah, I know I’m a shitty low functioning person, you don’t have to mention it). Getting a Bambu let’s me actually print stuff and helps me not get locked into paralysis about it for months. I hate it’s a closed and easily fucked over ecosystem, but it’s a choice between letting me function or not. I dunno, I’m really rambling without a point, I just thought someone might find some value in this
Just different persons / mindsets. I bought a Prusa and in the first month replaced and modded everything I know of. Stabilizing it , replacing extruder gears and the nozzle , fine tuned some print settings. Why? I have fun doing so. And the time. Other people don’t, and that is completely fine.