Luckily we have open source firmware and we can build our own printers.
Most ghost guns are not 3D printed so this is nothing but security theater and an invasion of privacy.
Here’s the paper where they explain it. Basically, they make subtle fluctuations in layer height, adding or subtracting small amounts that are not visible to the naked eye, to encode 0s and 1s. So, maybe in principle this could run at the firmware level on your printer. Then, someone can use a microscope to read off the code from pieces of the printed part.
I would have some doubts about how reliable this is, given the relatively large tolerances in fdm printing, but they have a section about that in the paper, so I guess they at least have thought about it.
Fluctuations in layer height that are not visible? Dude, most printers are not even able to achieve a layer height consistency that would be invisible to the naked eye if they wanted to.
Plus what about adaptive layer heights that automatically change based on the features of each layer?
Or just acetone/MEK/whatever smoothing your parts?
Given the diy-nature of almost every 3d printer, I can’t see this being very useful for identifying prints.
Exactly my thoughts. I got my machine in 2017 and have replaced enough parts to make a ship of Theseus argument. Most of them weren’t even due to wear, I just like rebuilding her. On top of that, every other printer I know is either all diy or kit built. I can’t imagine this will stop anyone who genuinely wants to do harm.
you know how easy it is to circumvent this?
relatively easy, its relatively easy. now you know.
