Engineer uses Meta Quest to 'throw' 3D models to a Bambu Lab printer
A software engineer demonstrated a workflow where a 3D model is picked up in a Meta Quest headset and thrown to a Bambu Lab 3D printer, which then starts printing. The integration uses the printer's local API and a web server on a PC, with the code reportedly assisted by OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra model. The engineer plans to share the integration on GitHub if there is enough interest.
The demonstration pairs a Bambu Lab P2S printer with an AMS 2 multi-material unit, both previously reviewed favorably by the outlet, with a Meta Quest 3 headset. Hank's setup routes commands through an Android app to a local web server on a PC, which then communicates with the printer via its local API. The code was developed with assistance from OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra, a process the engineer described as "vibe-coded."
Hank has a history of similar projects, including using Astra to adapt a Super Smash Bros Melee decompilation for VR play on the Quest 3. He indicated he would publish the integration on GitHub after polishing the code, provided enough people express interest in replicating the workflow.
This workflow could signal a shift toward more intuitive, gesture-driven interaction with physical manufacturing tools, making 3D printing accessible to hobbyists who lack traditional CAD expertise. If shared publicly, it may inspire similar integrations across other VR headsets and printer brands, potentially lowering the barrier to entry for home fabrication. However, reliance on AI-assisted coding raises questions about code reliability and security, particularly when controlling hardware over local networks.