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DMontgomery40

mcp-3D-printer-server

by: DMontgomery40

Connects MCP to major 3D printer APIs (OctoPrint, Klipper, Duet, Repetier, Bambu, Prusa, Creality). Control prints, monitor status, and perform advanced STL operations like scaling, rotation, sectional editing, and base extension. Includes slicing and visualization.

20created 26/02/2025
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📌Overview

Purpose: The MCP 3D Printer Server aims to facilitate seamless interaction between users and various 3D printer management systems through a unified API.

Overview: This server serves as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) interface, enabling users to manage and control a wide range of 3D printers, including prominent models from OctoPrint, Klipper, Duet, Repetier, Bambu Labs, and Prusa Connect. It supports various functionalities from printer status checks to advanced STL file manipulations.

Key Features:

  • Printer Management: Retrieve real-time printer status, manage print jobs (start, cancel, upload G-code), and set temperatures for different components.

  • Advanced STL Manipulation: Perform intricate modifications to STL files, including scaling, rotating, translating, and generating multi-angle visualizations, facilitating better print preparation.

  • Comprehensive Workflows: Complete end-to-end support from STL modifications through slicing to printing, ensuring a streamlined process for users, coupled with error handling and diagnostics.

MCP 3D Printer Server

✨ What's New / Significant Updates (as of last session)
  • Bambu .3mf Printing: Added the print_3mf tool for Bambu Lab printers. Uploads .3mf files and sends print commands via MQTT based on OpenBambuAPI specs.
  • Direct MQTT Communication (Bambu): Refactored Bambu commands to use direct MQTT (TLS port 8883) instead of relying solely on bambu-js.
  • .3mf File Parsing: Implemented a parser to read metadata and Bambu-specific slicer settings within .3mf files.
  • Bambu Preset Resources: Support for reading Bambu Studio preset files (machine, filament, process) as MCP resources if BAMBU_STUDIO_CONFIG_PATH is set.
  • OrcaSlicer Integration: Added support for OrcaSlicer via CLI for slicing.
  • New STL Manipulation Tools: Added merge_vertices, center_model, and lay_flat for model preparation using three.js.
  • Configuration Update: Added BAMBU_STUDIO_CONFIG_PATH environment variable for preset loading.
  • FTP Usage Note: File operations for Bambu currently use potentially unsecured FTP via bambu-js.
🗺️ Roadmap / TODO
  • Achieve feature parity for OctoPrint, Klipper, Duet, Repetier, Prusa Connect, and Creality Cloud similar to Bambu.
  • Implement full MQTT status subscription for Bambu.
  • Improve AMS mapping and support for print command overrides.
  • Calculate MD5 hash for .3mf files in MQTT commands.
  • Explore replacing FTP operations with direct MQTT or FTPS support.
  • Improve preset discovery and expand .3mf printing support to other printers.
  • Enhance MQTT error handling and print progress reporting.
  • Conduct thorough testing for Bambu features.

Description

MCP 3D Printer Server allows Model Context Protocol (MCP) users to connect to various 3D printer management systems through their API endpoints. It supports:

  • OctoPrint
  • Klipper (Moonraker)
  • Duet
  • Repetier
  • Bambu Labs
  • Prusa Connect
  • Creality/Ender

It enables interaction with 3D printers via their management system APIs, facilitating printing and model manipulation.

Note: Advanced 3D model manipulation features can be memory-intensive with large STL files. See "Limitations and Considerations" for details.

Features

  • Retrieve printer status (temperatures, progress)
  • List files on printer
  • Upload G-code files
  • Start, cancel, and monitor print jobs
  • Set printer temperatures
  • Advanced STL file manipulation (extend base, scale, rotate, translate, modify sections)
  • Detailed STL analysis with model info
  • Generate multi-angle SVG visualizations of STL files
  • Real-time progress reporting and error diagnostics
  • Slice STL files into G-code
  • Confirm temperatures in G-code files
  • End-to-end STL modification, slicing, and printing workflow
  • Direct .3mf printing on Bambu Lab printers (via MQTT)
  • Read Bambu Studio preset files as resources

Installation

Prerequisites

  • Node.js 18 or higher
  • npm or yarn

Install from npm

npm install -g mcp-3d-printer-server

Install from source

git clone https://github.com/dmontgomery40/mcp-3d-printer-server.git
cd mcp-3d-printer-server
npm install
npm link  # Makes the command available globally

Running with Docker

  1. Ensure Docker and Docker Compose are installed.
  2. Copy .env.example to .env and configure settings.
  3. Build and run container:
docker-compose up --build -d

Using Slicers with Docker

The default Docker setup cannot use slicers installed on the host machine reliably. Recommended is to install slicers like PrusaSlicer or OrcaSlicer inside the Docker image by modifying the Dockerfile and setting SLICER_PATH environment variable accordingly. After modification, rebuild the image.

Configuration

Create a .env file or set environment variables:

API_KEY=your_api_key_here
PRINTER_HOST=localhost
PRINTER_PORT=80
PRINTER_TYPE=octoprint  # octoprint, klipper, duet, repetier, bambu, prusa, creality
TEMP_DIR=/path/to/temp/dir

# Bambu Labs specific
BAMBU_SERIAL=your_printer_serial
BAMBU_TOKEN=your_access_token

# Slicer config
SLICER_TYPE=prusaslicer  # prusaslicer, cura, slic3r, orcaslicer
SLICER_PATH=/path/to/slicer/executable
SLICER_PROFILE=/path/to/slicer/profile

# Bambu Studio presets path (optional)
BAMBU_STUDIO_CONFIG_PATH=

Usage with Claude Desktop

  1. Edit Claude Desktop config file with printer server command and environment:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "3dprint": {
      "command": "mcp-3d-printer-server",
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your_api_key_here",
        "PRINTER_HOST": "your_printer_ip",
        "PRINTER_TYPE": "octoprint"
      }
    }
  }
}

For Bambu printers:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "3dprint": {
      "command": "mcp-3d-printer-server",
      "env": {
        "PRINTER_HOST": "your_printer_ip",
        "PRINTER_TYPE": "bambu",
        "BAMBU_SERIAL": "your_printer_serial",
        "BAMBU_TOKEN": "your_access_token"
      }
    }
  }
}
  1. Restart Claude Desktop and connect.

Supported Printer Management Systems

OctoPrint

  • Default port: 80/443
  • Requires API key

Klipper (via Moonraker)

  • Default port: 7125
  • Authentication per Moonraker config

Duet

  • Default port: 80/443
  • Authentication per Duet config

Repetier

  • Default port: 3344
  • Requires API key

Bambu Labs

  • Uses MQTT for status/control and FTP for file operations
  • Requires serial number and access token (BAMBU_SERIAL, BAMBU_TOKEN)
  • Compatible with X1C, P1S, P1P, A1, others

Finding Your Bambu Serial Number and Access Token

  • Serial number on printer sticker or via Bambu Studio Device Management
  • Access token from printer touchscreen in Settings > Network > LAN Mode or via Bambu Handy app
  • Printer must be on the same network or have cloud connection enabled

Bambu Communication Notes

  • MQTT (port 8883 TLS) used for commands
  • FTP used for file transfer (may be unsecured)

Prusa Connect

  • Default port: 80/443
  • Requires API key
  • Compatible with Prusa MK4, Mini, XL

Setup steps include firmware update, Wi-Fi network connection, account creation, and API key generation.

Creality Cloud

  • Default port: 80/443
  • Requires bearer token
  • Compatible with Ender, CR series, and other networked Creality printers

Setup involves app installation, account creation, enabling local network access, and token generation.

Available Tools

STL Manipulation Tools

Memory Warning: These tools load full 3D models into memory and may use significant resources for large files (>10MB).

  • get_stl_info — Get STL file info (dimensions, vertex count, bounding box).
  • extend_stl_base — Extend STL base by specified amount.
  • scale_stl — Uniform or axis-specific scaling.
  • rotate_stl — Rotate model around axes in degrees.
  • translate_stl — Translate model along axes in mm.
  • merge_vertices — Merge vertices within a tolerance to close gaps.
  • center_model — Center model bounding box at origin.
  • lay_flat — Orient model so largest flat surface lies on XY plane.
  • modify_stl_section — Apply transformation to selected section.
  • generate_stl_visualization — Create SVG visualization from multiple angles.
  • slice_stl — Slice STL to G-code using specified slicer.
  • confirm_temperatures — Confirm temperatures in G-code.
  • process_and_print_stl — Full workflow: modify STL, slice, confirm temperatures, start print.

Printer Control Tools

  • get_printer_status — Get current printer status.
  • list_printer_files — List printer files.
  • upload_gcode — Upload G-code file (optionally start print).
  • start_print — Start printing file on printer (not recommended for Bambu; use print_3mf).
  • cancel_print — Cancel current job.
  • set_printer_temperature — Set temperature of a component (unsupported on Bambu).

Bambu-Specific Tools

  • print_3mf — Upload .3mf file via FTP and start print via MQTT. Supports overrides for AMS mapping and calibration flags. Does not support overriding slicer settings like layer height or temperature.

Available Resources

Printer Resources

  • printer://{host}/status — Printer status (limited for Bambu)
  • printer://{host}/files — List printer files (FTP for Bambu)
  • printer://{host}/file/{filename} — Retrieve specific file content (existence check only for Bambu)

Bambu Preset Resources

If BAMBU_STUDIO_CONFIG_PATH is set, you can access:

  • preset://bambu/machine/{preset_name} — Machine presets
  • preset://bambu/filament/{preset_name} — Filament presets
  • preset://bambu/process/{preset_name} — Process presets

Examples: Access specific presets by name for reading configuration.

Example Commands for Claude

Printer Control

  • "What's the current status of my 3D printer?"
  • "Show me the list of files on my printer."
  • "Upload this G-code to my printer: [G-code content]"
  • "Start printing the file named 'benchy.gcode'."
  • "Cancel the current print job."
  • "Set the extruder temperature to 200°C."
  • "Set the bed temperature to 60°C."

STL Manipulation and Printing

  • "Extend the base of this STL file by 2 inches, slice, and print."
  • "Scale this STL file by 150% uniformly."
  • "Rotate this model 90 degrees around the Z axis."
  • "Translate this STL model up by 5mm."
  • "Modify the top part of this model to be 20% larger."
  • "Analyze this STL file's dimensions and details."
  • "Generate SVG visualizations from different angles."
  • "Slice the modified STL using PrusaSlicer."
  • "Confirm temperatures in the G-code."
  • "Process STL, extend base 2 inches, slice, confirm temps, and start printing."
  • "Print ~/Downloads/my_model.3mf on the Bambu printer."
  • "Upload .3mf to Bambu using AMS slots 0 and 2, disable bed leveling."
  • "Cancel the print on my Bambu P1S."
  • "Show the settings in my Bambu filament preset 'Generic PETG'."
  • "List my Bambu process presets."

Bambu Lab Printer Limitations

  1. Starting prints require detailed parameters not fully supported yet (e.g., MD5 hash).
  2. Temperature control via API is not provided; requires G-code.
  3. Files must upload to "gcodes" directory.
  4. FTP is currently unsecured (plain FTP).
  5. Only MQTT project_file command parameters can be overridden during printing (AMS, calibration flags); slicer settings cannot.
  6. Full real-time MQTT status monitoring is pending implementation.

Limitations and Considerations

Memory Usage

  • Large or complex STL files consume significant memory.
  • Sequential STL operations on large files may accumulate memory usage.
  • MCP environments have memory constraints; large STL processes may cause OOM.

STL Manipulation Limitations

  • Section modification works best on simple geometries.
  • Base extension may not perfectly handle complex undersides.
  • Robust error handling is included but edge cases may exist.

Visualization Limitations

  • SVG visualizations are simplified schematics, not true 3D renders.
  • Complex models may not display accurately.

Performance Considerations

  • Slicing is CPU-intensive and time-consuming for complex models.
  • Progress may appear stalled during long operations.

Testing Recommendations

  • Use STL files smaller than 10MB for testing.
  • Monitor memory usage on large files.
  • Test modifications on simple geometries before complex ones.
  • Use a system with at least 4GB RAM for larger operations.

License

GPL-2.0