The post details the process of reverse engineering the Bambu Lab printer's communication protocol used by the Bambu Handy and Bambu Studio software. Through network analysis and packet inspection, the author documented the message structures, including those for camera feeds, printer commands, and real-time status updates. This allowed for the creation of a proof-of-concept Python script capable of basic printer control, demonstrating the feasibility of developing independent software to interact with Bambu Lab printers. The documentation provided includes message format specifications, network endpoints, and example Python code snippets.
This extensive wiki post meticulously documents the process of reverse engineering the communication protocol utilized by Bambu Lab's 3D printer ecosystem, specifically the interaction between the Bambu Handy/X1 printer and the Bambu Studio slicer software, facilitated through the cloud-based Bambu Connect service. The author's primary motivation stems from a desire to bypass the mandatory cloud dependency, enabling direct local control over the printer. This detailed exploration delves into several crucial aspects of the system.
The investigation commences with the observation that Bambu Studio relies on the gRPC framework for communication with Bambu Connect. Through careful examination of network traffic using tools like Wireshark, the author identifies the specific gRPC endpoints employed for various functions, including file uploads, print job initiation, and retrieval of printer status. The protobuf definitions of these messages are meticulously reconstructed, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the data exchanged between the software components.
A significant portion of the post focuses on deciphering the authentication mechanism. The author successfully intercepts the authentication tokens exchanged between Bambu Studio and Bambu Connect, meticulously describing the process of extracting and decoding these tokens. This detailed analysis provides valuable insight into the security measures implemented by Bambu Lab.
Furthermore, the reverse engineering effort extends to the communication between the printer and the Bambu Connect cloud service. The author identifies the AMQP protocol as the underlying communication mechanism and describes the message format, including the various topics and message types used for real-time status updates and control commands. This detailed analysis reveals the intricate interplay between the printer, the cloud service, and the slicing software.
The author goes beyond simply documenting the protocol. They actively experiment with constructing their own client, demonstrating the feasibility of directly interacting with the printer, bypassing the Bambu Studio and Bambu Connect infrastructure. This practical demonstration reinforces the findings of the reverse engineering effort and paves the way for the development of alternative control software.
Finally, the post underscores the ongoing nature of the project, acknowledging that the reverse engineering process is not fully complete. It highlights areas requiring further investigation, such as fully understanding specific message fields and exploring potential functionalities not yet uncovered. This transparency provides a valuable glimpse into the challenges and complexities of reverse engineering a closed-source system. The overall tone emphasizes learning and exploration, with a clear aim of enabling greater user control and flexibility within the Bambu 3D printing ecosystem.
Summary of Comments ( 261 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42764602
Hacker News commenters discuss the reverse engineering of the Bambu Handywork Connect print server software, mostly focusing on the legality and ethics of the endeavor. Some express concern over the potential for misuse and the chilling effect such actions could have on open communication between companies and their customer base. Others argue that reverse engineering is a legitimate activity, particularly for interoperability or when vendors are unresponsive to feature requests. A few commenters mention the common practice of similar reverse engineering efforts, pointing out that many devices rely on undocumented protocols. The discussion also touches on the technical aspects of the reverse engineering process, with some noting the use of Wireshark and Frida. Several users express interest in using the findings to integrate Bambu printers with other software, highlighting a desire for greater control and flexibility.
The Hacker News post titled "Reverse Engineering Bambu Connect" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42764602) has generated several comments discussing the reverse engineering efforts and their implications.
One commenter expresses concern about the closed nature of Bambu's ecosystem, preferring open protocols for 3D printing. They see the reverse engineering effort as a positive step towards achieving interoperability and avoiding vendor lock-in, allowing users more freedom and control over their hardware. They applaud the author's work, hoping it leads to the development of open-source alternatives for controlling Bambu printers.
Another commenter mentions Klipper, a popular open-source 3D printer firmware, and questions why someone would choose it over Bambu's own software, highlighting the speed and features of the Bambu Studio software. This sparks a discussion about the trade-offs between convenience and control. Some argue that while Bambu's software is user-friendly, it lacks the flexibility and customization options that Klipper offers, which are essential for advanced users who want to push the limits of their printers. Specific features like pressure advance and input shaping are mentioned as examples where Klipper excels. Others emphasize the simplicity and ease of use of Bambu Studio, especially for beginners, suggesting that the target audiences for each software are different.
The conversation also touches on the legality and ethics of reverse engineering. One user questions the legality of reverse engineering in this context, particularly regarding potential violations of terms of service. Another user counters this by highlighting the importance of reverse engineering for interoperability and repair, suggesting that it's a legitimate practice as long as it's not used for commercial purposes like creating competing clones.
Furthermore, some commenters delve into the technical aspects of the reverse engineering process, appreciating the author's detailed documentation and analysis of the communication protocols used by Bambu Connect. They express interest in contributing to the project and exploring further possibilities, such as integrating the printer with other open-source software or developing custom features.
Finally, there are comments acknowledging the convenience and performance of Bambu's products but expressing reservations about the lack of transparency and control offered by a closed system. They express a desire for more open options within the 3D printing ecosystem, allowing for greater flexibility and customization. This sentiment reinforces the initial concerns about vendor lock-in and highlights the user's desire for more control over their hardware.