The Bambu Lab X1C is widely regarded as one of the most capable prosumer 3D printers on the market. However, for users who require the specific networking and thermal capabilities of its enterprise-focused sibling, the X1E, there is a significant price jump. This post explores a hardware and firmware modification designed to bring the X1C closer to the “E” specification, starting with the addition of a dedicated Ethernet interface.

The goal of this project was to create a “poor man’s X1E” by integrating a hardwired network connection and preparing the machine for higher-temperature printing.

The Software Foundation: X1Plus⌗

The primary hurdle for adding any peripheral to the X1C is the closed nature of the stock firmware. To bypass this, this modification utilizes X1Plus, a custom firmware for the X1 series.

Crucially, the X1Plus firmware includes a patch for CDC-ECM (Ethernet Control Model). This patch allows the printer’s operating system to recognize and communicate with standard USB-to-Ethernet chipsets. Without this kernel-level modification, the printer would ignore any hardware plugged into its internal USB bus.

The inspiration for this hardware configuration—specifically the approach of using an internal USB hub to multiplex the camera connection—stemmed from a community discussion on the X1Plus GitHub repository, where users brainstormed the feasibility of USB Ethernet expansion.

Hardware Selection and Power Constraints⌗

When modifying internal components, power management is the most critical factor. The internal USB header on the X1C mainboard is designed to power the built-in camera; overloading this rail could lead to board failure or system instability.

For this modification, a disassembled 3€ USB-to-Ethernet adapter was used. It features the CH9151 chipset (from manufacturer WCH), a 10/100 MBit controller. While documentation for this specific chipset is sparse, its power profile is ideal for this application:

  • Idle (disconnected): ~72mA
  • Full load: Max 94mA

Staying under the 100mA threshold ensures that the interface remains within a safe operating margin for the printer’s existing circuitry.

Integration via USB Hub⌗

The X1C does not have a spare internal USB port, as the existing one is occupied by the chamber camera. To solve this, a USB 2.0 hub was integrated to split the signal. The hub uses the FE1.1s USB 2.0 Hub IC, a reliable breakout chip.

To keep the installation clean and reversible, JST 1.25mm mini/micro connectors were used for all wiring. This allows for a “plug and play” experience once the initial wiring harness is created.

System Verification (CLI Data)⌗

Once the hardware is installed and the X1Plus firmware is active, the system’s internal logs confirm that the components are recognized and functioning.

Using lsusb, we can see the hierarchy of the new bus. The FE1.1s hub (1a40:0101) acts as the host for both the new Ethernet interface (1a86:e396) and the original PC Camera (0c45:6366):

[root@BL-P001-sdcard:~]# lsusb
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 # Linux Host Controller
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 1a40:0101 # FE1.1s USB 2.0 Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 1a86:e396 # CH9151 Ethernet Adapter
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 0c45:6366 # Original PC Camera

The system initialization log (dmesg) shows the cdc_ether driver successfully registering the device and assigning it the eth0 interface name. This confirms that the CDC-ECM patch is functioning as intended:

[    1.523349] usb 1-1.4: New USB device found, idVendor=1a86, idProduct=e396, bcdDevice= 7.3a
[    1.523418] usb 1-1.4: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[    1.523447] usb 1-1.4: Product: USB 10/100 LAN
[    1.523468] usb 1-1.4: Manufacturer: wch.cn
[    1.530685] cdc_ether 1-1.4:2.0 eth0: register 'cdc_ether' at usb-ffe00000.usb-1.4, CDC Ethernet Device

Finally, the network configuration shows both the original Wi-Fi (wlan0) and the new Ethernet (eth0) running in parallel. In this test environment, the Ethernet connection successfully obtained a local IP via DHCP:

[root@BL-P001-sdcard:~]# ifconfig eth0
eth0      Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr C8:17:F5:XX:XX:XX  
          inet addr:192.168.2.240  Bcast:192.168.2.255  Mask:255.255.255.0
          UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:59106 errors:950 dropped:15052 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:27828 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0

Conclusion and Next Steps⌗

By utilizing a low-power chipset and a patched firmware, it is possible to provide the X1C with a stable, hardwired network connection for a negligible cost. This provides a significantly more stable environment for those printing in areas with high RF interference or for users who prefer to keep their machine off the local Wi-Fi network for security reasons.

The second phase of this “X1E” conversion involves thermal capabilities. In a follow-up post, I will detail a hotend modification involving a resistor added to the thermistor circuit. This will allow the machine to reach higher operating temperatures than the standard 300°C limit, further narrowing the gap between the prosumer and enterprise models.