MCP 3D Printer Server

The MCP 3D Printer Server bridges the gap between AI assistants and physical 3‑D printers by exposing a unified, machine‑learning friendly interface. It abstracts the complexities of vendor‑specific APIs—such as OctoPrint, Klipper, Bambu Lab’s OpenBambuAPI, and OrcaSlicer command‑line tools—into a single MCP resource set. Developers can therefore issue high‑level commands like , , or without worrying about the underlying protocol, authentication mechanism, or file‑transfer details. This is particularly valuable for AI workflows that need to generate printable models on the fly, adjust slicing parameters based on user intent, or monitor printer status in real time.

At its core, the server offers a rich collection of tools and resources. Printing is handled through MQTT for Bambu printers, allowing instant command delivery and status updates, while other printer types rely on established HTTP or FTP endpoints. The tool parses files to extract Bambu‑specific slicer settings and metadata, automatically configuring the print job before sending it via MQTT. The server also supports OrcaSlicer integration through a command‑line wrapper, enabling AI assistants to slice STL files on demand. Model preparation is made simple with tools such as , , and , which manipulate meshes using the three.js library. Additionally, preset files from Bambu Studio (machine, filament, process) are exposed as MCP resources, allowing an AI assistant to retrieve or list available presets with a straightforward URI pattern.

Use cases span from automated prototyping pipelines—where an AI assistant receives a design prompt, generates a mesh, slices it, and initiates printing—to educational environments that need to demonstrate rapid iteration of models. Maintenance scripts can poll printer status, trigger filament changes, or cancel jobs based on sensor data processed by an AI model. Because the server translates all interactions into MCP‑compliant calls, it can be integrated into any AI assistant that understands the protocol, regardless of the underlying programming language or platform.

The server’s unique advantages lie in its hybrid communication strategy and extensible architecture. Direct MQTT support for Bambu ensures low‑latency command delivery, while fallback to FTP or HTTP guarantees compatibility with a broad range of printers. The ability to parse files and expose preset resources means AI assistants can tailor prints without manual configuration, streamlining the user experience. Moreover, the open‑source TypeScript foundation and extensive documentation make it straightforward for developers to extend or adapt the server to new printers, slicers, or custom workflows.