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Connecting Bambu Lab and Prusa Printers to the Polar Cloud

Using the Polar3D "Bridge" Application to Connect Printers

  • By Polar Cloud Academy
  • Published: Aug 4, 2026
  • Duration 30m
  • Difficulty Intermediate
  • Rating
    Average rating: 0 No reviews

Outline

Polar3D Bridge Overview

Polar3D Bridge is a cross-platform application designed to bring local network printers directly into the secure Polar3D ecosystem. By scanning your local network for Bambu Lab and Prusa hardware, Bridge utilizes native local communication protocols to tether your fleet to our Status Server via an encrypted WebSocket connection.

Supported Hardware & Protocols

Quick Setup Guide

  1. Install the App: Download and launch the Polar3D Bridge installer for your desktop operating system (macOS, Windows, or Linux).
  2. Verify Network Access: Ensure the host computer running Bridge is connected to the same local network subnet as your 3D printers.
  3. Run Device Scan: Open Bridge and select Connect Printers to initiate an automated local subnet scan.
  4. Select & Authenticate: Check the boxes for the printers you want to connect and enter local credentials when prompted (e.g., Bambu Access Code or Prusa API key).
  5. Confirm Connection: Verify that your selected printers report an active status on the Polar3D platform.

Requirements & Network Best Practices

  • Background Operation: The host computer must remain powered on and running the Bridge application to maintain real-time status telemetry to the Status Server.
  • Firewall Configurations: Ensure your network firewall permits local traffic for MQTT and HTTP/PrusaLink, along with outbound WebSocket communication.
  • Static IP Addresses: Assigning DHCP reservations or static local IP addresses to your 3D printers prevents reconnection issues during local network resets.

Detailed Setup Guides

Before continuing, please know that the bridge can connect both your Bambu Lab and Prusa Printers. As we expand compatibility, other manufacturers may be added to this list as well.

First Time Use

You'll need to start by downloading the appropriate software package from the list above. Then, follow the installation steps.

For Mac, you'll open the .dmg, then move the bridge app into your "Applications" folder.

Once that's done, you'll need to enter your Username and PIN into the Credentials section of the app. The printers will be bound to this account, and then shared from within the Polar3D platform. Do not change the credentials here once the printers are connected.

💡 Note: You need to enter your Email and PIN into the app, otherwise the printers will not connect. Please visit the link below to learn where this information is stored in your account.
Enter your Username and PIN, then click "Save".

Connecting Bambu Lab Printers

✅ Prerequisites:

Before connecting your Bambu Lab printer, make sure you have the following:

  • LAN Mode is enabled for basic connectivity.
  • Developer Mode (DEV Mode) is enabled to allow the Polar Cloud Bridge to send print jobs. This is required.
  • Your printer's Access Code.
  • Your printer's Serial Number.
  • If you are connecting multiple printers or are unsure which printer is which, the printer's IP address can help you identify the correct device and model.
  • X2D and certain other Bambu Lab models require removable storage (USB drive) to be plugged into the printer for cloud print jobs. The A1 family does not require removable storage.
Click "Bambu Lab" from the first step of the add printer wizard.

Once you choose to add Bambu Lab printers, you'll need to scan your network to find them. The bridge will go through the IP addresses and identify any Bambu Lab units, then allow you to select them and connect them.

Alternatively, if you are trying to add one printer in particular, and you know the IP address, just enter it in the 2nd box and click "Check IP".

Scan your network or enter an exact IP address in order to find Bambu Lab printers on your network.

Please note that newer Bambu Lab printers will need to have the LAN Liveview turned on as well, in order to receive camera images. Please see below.

This is a very important page. You'll need all toggles ON for this page, and you'll need the IP and Access code as well.

Connecting Prusa Printers

⚠️ Prerequisites:

Before connecting your printer, make sure you have the following:

  • Your printer is connected to your local network.
  • Your PrusaLink username and password (or an API Key for certain older printers).
  • A formatted USB thumb drive plugged into the printer to store incoming cloud print jobs.

Adding Prusa printers is done by entering the username and password of each printer into the setup wizard. Printers are then found on the network and connected.

Prusa printers are added with a PrusaLink password and username.

Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions, and you're done!

A Prusa MK4S printing a job from the Polar Cloud.

FAQ

I sent a print to my Bambu Lab printer, but the print never started?

Very important! Check to make sure "Dev Mode" is enabled. This allows the printer to connect with local 3rd party controls.