3D printer firmware is a bit like computer firmware, in that it doesn’t get updated all that frequently. It’s not like software that gets updated all the time.
I get it, Marlin is on version 2.0.9.2 and Ender is at Marlin 2.0.1 (Dec 2019 release). Those release notes between that time have a ton of fixed issues on Github. I would hope they would be close to up to date with firmware.
You don’t have to wait for official Creality releases of Marlin. Many people contribute their own compiled versions of it. Just search the web for more recent versions. You can also install Microsoft Visual Studio Code (vcode) on you own computer (it’s free), download the Marlin source code, load it into Vcode, configure it (mostly in configuration.h), compile it, then flash it to your printer. There are even custom configuration.h files available that are tuned to specific printers. You just drag the custom configuration.h file into Vcode and compile.
It is a simple process for people familiar with computer programming, but can be somewhat daunting for others.
Right, but that shouldn’t be my job if I have a stock printer. If i purchase my Dad one for Christmas, I’m not going to tell him to compile his own FW to fix a certain problem. Creality should be able to maintain their firmware. Same with every other manufacturer.
I get what you’re saying, but that, unfortunately, doesn’t really apply to printers in this price range. There just isn’t enough margin in them to allow the manufacturers to provide that kind of support. If you’re willing to pay significantly more, then you can get a much higher level of support. Many of the higher end machines don’t even use open source firmware, or slicers for that matter. Stratysys, for example, basically provides turn-key solutions to corporations. They can set up a prototyping printer in a company’s design department, and provide ongoing support. Employees in the department can create designs, send them to the printer, and pick up the results when they’re finished. It allows the designers to physically handle products they design before they go for production. It’s much like employees sending a report to a local laser printer in an office setting.
1 of the reasons companies like Creality, Flashforge, Wanhoo, JG Maker, etc. use open source firmware (Marlin) is because it’s maintained by the open source community, so they don’t have to do it. That said, most companies will address agregious problems with their firmware. Still, when I got my Ender 5 Pro last year it came with a glaring fault in the firmware. Somewhere along the way, Creality responded to complaints from users that the printbed was sliding down of its own accord, so they changed the original 400steps/mm Z lead screw to an 800steps/mm screw. Unfortunately, they didn’t update the firmware to reflect the change. This lead to my 1st prints coming out squished: i.e. they were only half as tall as they should be. I had to find the problem on my own by searching the net.