bambu-slicer

bambu-slicer — Unified 3D Printing Pipeline

End-to-end workflow for Bambu Lab printers: design custom models, browse MakerWorld for existing ones, slice STLs to print-ready 3MF, arrange multi-object plates, and control the printer — all from the CLI plus surrounding MCPs.

First-run check

Before slicing anything, verify the user has run plugin setup once:

1. CLI deps installed: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/node_modules exists. If not, instruct: cd "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli" && bun install.
2. OrcaSlicer installed at the configured path (default /Applications/OrcaSlicer.app/Contents/MacOS/OrcaSlicer, override via ORCA_CLI_PATH).
3. Bambu Studio installed (the CLI patches its profile JSONs at slice time — Bambu Studio doesn't need to be running, just installed so the profiles exist on disk).
4. Optional config: .claude/bambu-slicer.local.md for printer-specific overrides (machine profile, output dir, printer IP). See plugin README.

If any step fails, surface a clear error before attempting to slice.

Capabilities & Workflows

1. Design Custom Parts (OpenSCAD MCP)

When the user describes something they need or sends a photo, design it with the openscad MCP tools.

Best for: Functional/geometric parts — storage bins, cable organizers, shelf brackets, phone stands, gridfinity inserts, drawer dividers, wall mounts, enclosures, clips, hooks.

Not suited for: Organic/sculpted shapes (use MakerWorld instead).

Workflow:

1. Understand dimensions and constraints from description/photo.
2. Write OpenSCAD code using openscad MCP → create_scad_script.
3. Render preview images → render_preview. Show the user for approval.
4. Iterate on design based on feedback.
5. Export STL → export_stl.
6. Slice with the bundled CLI (Section 3).

Design tips:

• Always ask for or estimate dimensions — a part that doesn't fit is useless.
• Use $fn=64 or higher for smooth curves.
• Add 0.2 mm tolerance for friction-fit joints.
• Wall thickness minimum 1.2 mm (3 perimeters at a 0.4 mm nozzle).
• Gridfinity standard: 42 mm grid, 7 mm base height.

For tested constants on tray/shelf/riser-style parts, see references/gotchas.md.

2. Browse & Download from MakerWorld (agent-browser)

When the user wants to find existing models, use the agent-browser skill to drive MakerWorld.

Workflow:

1. Navigate to https://makerworld.com/en/search/models?keyword={query}.
2. Screenshot search results, present options with thumbnails.
3. User picks one → navigate to the model page.
4. Click "Download raw model files" to download STL/STEP files (or grab the source 3MF if posted — see references/gotchas.md on remixing).
5. Save to a working directory (e.g., /tmp/makerworld/).
6. Slice with the bundled CLI (Section 3).

Notes:

• Login required for downloads. Use the user's Bambu account credentials — fetch from their password manager if asked.
• MakerWorld has bot detection — use stealth/realistic browsing patterns.
• Always show the user a screenshot of the model before downloading.
• Check whether the model includes a pre-sliced 3MF for the target printer (saves time).

3. Slice STL → Print-Ready 3MF (bundled CLI)

The core slicing engine. Takes STL files and produces print-ready 3MF using OrcaSlicer with patched Bambu Studio profiles.

CLI usage:

# Single file, default settings (0.20 mm Standard, Bambu PLA Basic)
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" --input model.stl --output model.3mf

# Custom quality
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" --input model.stl --output model.3mf --quality 0.12

# Custom filament
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" --input model.stl --output model.3mf --filament "Bambu PETG Basic"

# Multiple objects on one plate (space-separated)
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" --input "box.stl cylinder.stl hook.stl" --output plate.3mf

# List available profiles
bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" --list-profiles

For the full quality + filament tables, see references/profiles.md.

Output location: Default to /tmp/ for quick prints, or whatever directory the user has configured (outputDir in .claude/bambu-slicer.local.md).

4. Multi-Object Plate Arrangement

When the user has multiple STLs to print at once, combine them on one plate:

bun run "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/cli/cli.ts" \
  --input "part-a.stl part-b.stl part-c.stl" \
  --output combined-plate.3mf

The slicer auto-arranges and auto-orients all objects. Use this for batch printing — saves time vs. printing each object separately. See references/gotchas.md for bed-margin caveats.

5. Printer Control (Bambu MCP)

Use the bambu-printer MCP tools for printer interaction. These tools are available after Claude Code restart.

Task	MCP Tool
Check printer status	get_printer_status
List printers	list_printers
Pause current print	pause_print
Resume paused print	resume_print
Stop/cancel print	stop_print
Connect via MQTT (local)	mqtt_connect
Get real-time status	printer_get_status
Stream camera	Camera tools
Check AMS filament	AMS tools

Developer Mode required for local control: If the user enables Developer Mode on the printer touchscreen (Settings → Network → LAN Only Mode → Developer Mode), full local MQTT control is available including sending prints directly. Without it, cloud-based status monitoring still works.

6. Batch Print Night Workflow

When the user wants to maximize a print session:

1. Collect all STLs (designed + downloaded).
2. Group by filament type (don't mix PLA and PETG on one plate).
3. Arrange each group on a plate using multi-object slicing.
4. Slice each plate.
5. Send to printer (or open in Bambu Studio if Developer Mode is off).

Decision Tree

User wants to 3D print something
├── Has specific STL file(s)?       → Slice (Section 3)
├── Wants something custom?         → Design (Section 1)
├── Wants to browse for a model?    → MakerWorld (Section 2)
├── Multiple things to print?       → Multi-plate (Section 4)
├── Asking about printer state?     → Printer Control (Section 5)
└── "Print night" / batch session?  → Batch Workflow (Section 6)

Technical Notes

• Slicer engine: OrcaSlicer. Bambu Studio CLI has a known segfault bug with P2S 0.4 mm nozzle profiles (OrcaSlicer #9636) — using OrcaSlicer with the bundled profile patcher works reliably.
• Profile patching: Machine profiles are auto-patched at slice time. Bambu Studio gcode templates are replaced with OrcaSlicer-compatible versions, AND inherits chains are resolved inline so OrcaSlicer can read the profile out-of-tree (parent profiles like fdm_bbl_3dp_001_common carry printable_area etc., and OrcaSlicer can't follow inherits across a one-off patched file in tmp).
• Cloud vs. local: Cloud-based status works without any printer config. Local MQTT control requires Developer Mode + the bambu-printer MCP configured with the printer's serial and LAN IP.

Gotchas, lessons, and tested constants

Read references/gotchas.md whenever the user asks for a print — especially a remix from MakerWorld. Covers:

• Bed-margin failures with --arrange on near-bed-sized parts.
• Matching the source 3MF's profile when remixing (don't blindly use CLI defaults).
• Two-up plate offers when geometry permits.
• Bambu Studio's harmless version-mapping dialog after opening an OrcaSlicer-produced 3MF.
• Tested fillet/lip/rib constants for tray-style functional parts (shelf risers, drawer organizers).

New 3D-printing lessons go in references/gotchas.md. The skill auto-loads it on next session.