4 ms·

If 3D printing isn't kept open source there's going to be laws about what you can and can't print that will kill innovation.

s0rce 2y ago
The bambu printers haven't been open source.
franga2000 2y ago
I can't imagine the printers being open source or not mattering for that, nor can I see any reasonable government banning printing of specific things. If something is illegal to own or manufacture, that already applies to 3D printers just as much as it did to CNC machines or any other method.
- floating-io 2y ago
  Are you so sure? https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2228?utm_campaign=subscriptions&utm_content=new_amendment&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ny_state_senate https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2228?utm_ca... Not quite the same, and hopefully likely to fail if it hasn't already, but it shows that interest exists in regulating 3D printers. When enough interest exists, things will happen. JMHO.
  - kube-system 2y ago
    If NY state did require a background check to buy a 3D printer, you'd have to get one regardless of whether you're buying a prusa or a bambu printer.
    - floating-io 2y ago
      ...and? Applying to all brands equally doesn't make it okay.
      - kube-system 2y ago
        I am saying it doesn’t matter whether it is open source or not.
        jjkaczor 2y ago
        ... well... stepper motors, motherboards and v/t-slot extrusion can be used for many other things than 3d printers... If they are going to regulate this, then why not CNC machines? Lathes? Drill presses? Pipes and lumber?
        kube-system 2y ago
        Because violent criminals tend to lack wealth, knowledge, and skills. Nobody in the hood about to knock off a 7-11 has a tormach at home and the gcode for a reciever queued up.
- K0balt 2y ago
  Yet they have made it so that sophisticated printers must include firmware that refuses to print banknotes.
arduinomancer 2y ago
Doubt it 2D printers are not open source and you can still print pretty much anything
- gaoryrt 2y ago
  I don't think you can print cash/paper money.
  - mnau 2y ago
    That is covered by "pretty much anything." That doesn't mean absolutely everything.
    - zo1 2y ago
      "Pretty much everything" does include "can't print some things" which is pretty much: they control what you can and can't print. So technically you are right and they are right too, but this conversation path led us back in a circle instead of moving the debate forward.
    - idunnoman1222 2y ago
      With the 3D printer you can currently print everything on the 2-D printer you can print everything minus one. (actually there’s probably a whole bunch of currency you can’t print which is maybe hundreds of things ) those are completely different systems of control.
- K0balt 2y ago
  No, you can’t. Printer manufacturers are required to prevent printing certain kinds of images on sophisticated printers. And they also print watermarks unique to your printer on every page.
dymk 2y ago
Why would some law being passed depend on open source? If anything, that would push some senator to regulate even harder.

s0rce 2y ago

The bambu printers haven't been open source.

franga2000 2y ago

I can't imagine the printers being open source or not mattering for that, nor can I see any reasonable government banning printing of specific things. If something is illegal to own or manufacture, that already applies to 3D printers just as much as it did to CNC machines or any other method.

floating-io 2y ago
Are you so sure? https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2228?utm_campaign=subscriptions&utm_content=new_amendment&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ny_state_senate https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2228?utm_ca... Not quite the same, and hopefully likely to fail if it hasn't already, but it shows that interest exists in regulating 3D printers. When enough interest exists, things will happen. JMHO.
- kube-system 2y ago
  If NY state did require a background check to buy a 3D printer, you'd have to get one regardless of whether you're buying a prusa or a bambu printer.
  - floating-io 2y ago
    ...and? Applying to all brands equally doesn't make it okay.
    - kube-system 2y ago
      I am saying it doesn’t matter whether it is open source or not.
      - jjkaczor 2y ago
        ... well... stepper motors, motherboards and v/t-slot extrusion can be used for many other things than 3d printers... If they are going to regulate this, then why not CNC machines? Lathes? Drill presses? Pipes and lumber?
        kube-system 2y ago
        Because violent criminals tend to lack wealth, knowledge, and skills. Nobody in the hood about to knock off a 7-11 has a tormach at home and the gcode for a reciever queued up.
K0balt 2y ago
Yet they have made it so that sophisticated printers must include firmware that refuses to print banknotes.

arduinomancer 2y ago

Doubt it 2D printers are not open source and you can still print pretty much anything

gaoryrt 2y ago
I don't think you can print cash/paper money.
- mnau 2y ago
  That is covered by "pretty much anything." That doesn't mean absolutely everything.
  - zo1 2y ago
    "Pretty much everything" does include "can't print some things" which is pretty much: they control what you can and can't print. So technically you are right and they are right too, but this conversation path led us back in a circle instead of moving the debate forward.
  - idunnoman1222 2y ago
    With the 3D printer you can currently print everything on the 2-D printer you can print everything minus one. (actually there’s probably a whole bunch of currency you can’t print which is maybe hundreds of things ) those are completely different systems of control.
K0balt 2y ago
No, you can’t. Printer manufacturers are required to prevent printing certain kinds of images on sophisticated printers. And they also print watermarks unique to your printer on every page.

dymk 2y ago

Why would some law being passed depend on open source? If anything, that would push some senator to regulate even harder.