Bambu Lab’s MakerWorld community has initiated legal action against several competing platforms, including Creality Cloud (Creality), Nexprint (Elegoo), and MakerOnline (Anycubic).
According to Bambu Lab, these platforms host large volumes of allegedly infringing content. The company claims that exclusive MakerWorld models were copied in bulk, some users impersonated original creators, and certain models were used in commercial advertising. It argues these actions violate licensing terms that prohibit both commercial use and secondary creation.
MakerWorld is Bambu Lab’s 3D model sharing platform. Launched two years ago, it now has nearly ten million monthly active users and more than one million 3D models, according to company data, making it one of the world’s most active 3D model communities by engagement.
Industry observers say the move was anticipated. “Whoever becomes number one starts using copyright protection to limit competitors,” one insider told 36Kr. “Even if the 3D model community isn’t a direct profit source, it’s still a powerful moat.”
For 3D printing enthusiasts, such communities make it easier to find, share, and print models, improving accessibility and user experience. As the barriers to entry in consumer 3D printing continue to fall, competition has shifted toward content—the range and quality of printable models that define an ecosystem’s strength.
Organic traffic from these communities also carries significant commercial value. “A vibrant ecosystem can dramatically cut customer acquisition costs,” the same insider said. “For a company with more than RMB 1 billion (USD 140 million) in annual revenue, that kind of traffic could be worth tens or even hundreds of millions of RMB each year.”
MakerWorld’s statement appears to mark the beginning of a broader shift: 3D printing is moving from a niche hobby into the mainstream. Market chatter suggests Bambu Lab generated over RMB 5.5 billion (USD 770 million) in revenue in 2024, shipped more than 1.2 million printers, and captured roughly 29% of the global market.
Multiple sources told 36Kr that Bambu Lab’s valuation has surpassed RMB 30 billion (USD 4.2 billion), with net profits exceeding RMB 2 billion (USD 280 million). “A RMB 30 billion valuation looks reasonable compared with peers that haven’t delivered results,” one investor said.
As Bambu Lab cements its position as a market leader, the 3D printing industry faces a turning point. Whether companies embrace open-source collaboration or build closed ecosystems will shape the sector’s next phase.
For many users, converting a digital model file (STL or 3MF) into a successful print remains challenging. It requires expertise in modeling software and a grasp of technical factors such as wall thickness, support structures, and shrinkage tolerance—barriers that have long confined 3D printing to hobbyists.
MakerWorld’s success stems from lowering that barrier. The platform allows users to select a model, automatically apply compatible print settings, and begin printing with a single click.
According to 36Kr, MakerWorld relies on user-generated uploads and rewards creators through its MakerReward program, which offers points and cash prizes for high-quality model contributions. It also encourages engagement through user feedback and print-sharing features. Comment sections often showcase successful prints using shared parameters.
Goldhorn Finance reported that Bambu Lab allocates a nine-figure RMB budget annually to reward creators, with top designers earning more than RMB 500,000 (USD 70,000) per year.
The platform’s “one-click print” feature reduces trial-and-error costs for beginners and shortens the learning curve, while the reward system sustains a steady inflow of original content.
Notably, MakerWorld is brand-agnostic and does not restrict use to Bambu Lab printers. Historically, printer manufacturers operated in silos, with incompatible settings creating barriers for users. “Different 3D printer brands often use incompatible configurations that require extensive testing or experience to optimize,” an industry insider said.
MakerWorld supports dozens of third-party printers, including those from Creality, Anycubic, and Prusa, and encourages users to share optimized profiles for each.
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For Bambu Lab, MakerWorld’s growth underscores both its technological ambition and operational execution. For competitors, however, each step toward platform dominance heightens the competitive pressure.
The rivalry with Prusa highlights the ideological divide within the industry. In a 2023 blog post, founder Josef Prusa criticized companies that rely on open-source tools and community contributions without reciprocating by releasing their own core hardware designs.
Several industry experts told 36Kr that Bambu Lab’s software is based on a modified version of PrusaSlicer but is distributed in closed-source form.
In response, Bambu Lab published an article under the pseudonym “Spaghetti Monster,” asserting that it would not use patents to block innovation or file overly broad claims that could hinder industry progress.
The dispute reflects a deeper philosophical tension. The 3D printing industry was originally built on open-source principles. Freely shared code and hardware designs helped lower IP barriers, enabling startups to innovate quickly and cheaply. But as capital investment and commercial stakes grew, this openness gave way to proprietary models and competitive protectionism.
By building a closed ecosystem, Bambu Lab has used patents and integration to establish technical moats, insulating itself from price competition and securing time to improve product performance. This approach has also helped push 3D printing further into the consumer mainstream.
According to Precedence Research, the global 3D printing market is estimated to reach about USD 29.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 18.5% through 2034, reaching approximately USD 134.6 billion.
Bambu Lab’s rise has triggered an arms race. Competitors are now focused on reducing user friction, improving print success rates, and creating plug-and-play experiences that make 3D printing accessible to everyday consumers.
As competition intensifies and commercial opportunities expand, the line between open and closed ecosystems is becoming increasingly blurred. Even Prusa, long a champion of open-source ideals, delayed releasing certain design blueprints and firmware for its flagship MK4 printer, signaling a pragmatic shift.
Bambu Lab’s integrated ecosystem—spanning hardware, software, and content—has proven highly effective. Yet as the company edges closer to market dominance, one question remains: will there still be room for others to grow? For now, that answer is uncertain.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Leslie Zhang for 36Kr.