Bambu/OrcaSlicer MCP Agent

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that acts as a manufacturing consultant for 3D printing. Claude can analyze .3mf print files, run the slicer with different preset profiles, and recommend optimal settings for speed vs. strength trade-offs.

Features

• Read .3mf Metadata: Extract current print settings from any .3mf file

• Analyze Current Settings: Run slicer on existing file to get baseline metrics

• Compare Profiles: Test Fast/Balanced/Strong profiles and get recommendations

• Batch Production: Calculate total time/cost for producing multiple units

Related MCP server: instant-meshes-mcp

Prerequisites

• Python 3.10+

• OrcaSlicer installed and available in PATH (CLI mode)

• Claude Desktop with MCP support

Installation

1. Clone this repository:

git clone <repository-url>
cd bambu-mcp-agent

2. Install dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Verify OrcaSlicer CLI is available:

orcaslicer --version

If not found, install OrcaSlicer and ensure it's in your PATH.

Configuration

Claude Desktop MCP Setup

Add this to your Claude Desktop MCP configuration file (location varies by OS):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bambu-mcp": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "bambu_mcp"],
      "cwd": "/path/to/bambu-mcp-agent/src"
    }
  }
}

Or using the direct path:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bambu-mcp": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/path/to/bambu-mcp-agent/src/bambu_mcp/__main__.py"]
    }
  }
}

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Usage

Example Conversation

User: "Analyze bracket.3mf"

Claude: [calls 3mf://bracket.3mf/metadata]
        [calls analyze_current_print]
        
        Your bracket is currently set to:
        - 20% infill, 0.20mm layers
        - Estimated time: 1h 15m per part
        - Material: 12.4g PLA ($0.37)

User: "I need to print 50 for a trade show. Minimize time."

Claude: [calls compare_print_profiles]
        [calls calculate_batch_metrics with quantity=50]
        
        Here are your options:
        
        Profile    | Per Unit | 50 Units  | Savings   | Trade-off
        -----------|----------|-----------|-----------|----------
        Current    | 1h 15m   | 62.5 hrs  | baseline  | -
        Fast       | 45m      | 37.5 hrs  | -25 hrs   | Visible layers
        Balanced   | 58m      | 48.3 hrs  | -14 hrs   | Slight texture
        Strong     | 1h 32m   | 76.7 hrs  | +14 hrs   | Overkill
        
        Recommendation: Use Fast profile. You'll save a full day
        of print time. The layer lines will be visible but acceptable
        for trade show giveaways.
        
        To apply: In Bambu Studio, set layer height to 0.28mm 
        and infill to 10%.

MCP Tools

Resource: 3mf://{file_path}/metadata

Reads current print settings from a .3mf file.

Returns:

• Filament type

• Nozzle diameter

• Layer height

• Infill density

• Wall loops

• Support settings

• Previous slice info (if available)

Tool: analyze_current_print

Runs slicer on existing file as-is to get baseline metrics.

Arguments:

• file_path (string): Path to the .3mf file

Returns:

• Estimated time (minutes and formatted)

• Filament weight (grams)

• Filament length (meters)

• Estimated cost (USD)

• Warnings (if any)

Tool: compare_print_profiles

Slices file with 3 hardcoded profiles (Fast/Balanced/Strong) and returns comparison.

Arguments:

• file_path (string): Path to the .3mf file

Returns:

• Comparison results for current, fast, balanced, and strong profiles

• Recommendation based on time savings

Tool: calculate_batch_metrics

Calculates total time/cost for producing N units with a specific profile.

Arguments:

• file_path (string): Path to the .3mf file

• quantity (integer): Number of units to produce

• profile_name (string): "current", "fast", "balanced", or "strong"

Returns:

• Total time (hours and formatted)

• Total filament (kg)

• Total cost (USD)

• Per unit time

• Comparison vs current settings

Profile Presets

Fast Profile

• Layer height: 0.28mm

• Infill: 10%

• Wall loops: 2

• Use case: Prototypes, internal parts

Balanced Profile

• Layer height: 0.20mm

• Infill: 15%

• Wall loops: 3

• Use case: Most production parts

Strong Profile

• Layer height: 0.16mm

• Infill: 25%

• Wall loops: 4

• Use case: Load-bearing, customer-facing

Architecture

bambu-mcp-agent/
├── src/bambu_mcp/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── server.py          # MCP server with tools/resources
│   ├── parser.py          # .3mf file parsing
│   └── slicer.py          # OrcaSlicer CLI wrapper
├── mcp_workspace/
│   ├── slice_output/      # Temporary slicer outputs
│   ├── fast_profile.ini
│   ├── balanced_profile.ini
│   └── strong_profile.ini
├── requirements.txt
├── pyproject.toml
└── README.md

Error Handling

The server handles common errors gracefully:

• CLI not found: Clear message to install OrcaSlicer

• Invalid .3mf file: Validation error with helpful context

• Slicer timeout: 120-second timeout with informative message

• Missing printer profile: Warning logged, operation continues if possible

Logging

Logs are written to debug.log (not stdout) to avoid breaking MCP stdio communication.

Limitations

• Does not modify .3mf files (read-only analysis)

• Does not handle multi-plate scenarios

• Does not validate geometric constraints

• Assumes serial printing (no multi-printer logic)

Development

Running Tests

# Install dev dependencies
pip install -e ".[dev]"

# Run tests (when implemented)
pytest

Project Philosophy

Analysis and recommendation only. No file modification. Users manually apply settings in Bambu Studio based on recommendations.

License

[Add your license here]

Contributing

[Add contribution guidelines here]