I know people like to say that it is American companies that innovate and Chinese companies just copies.

This may be true in certain areas, but I think some Chinese companies do take the idea and then they iterate on the product to the point that it outshines the original product all while the original company refuses to act.

Sure there are initial product R&D cost overheads but I don't believe that's the only reason they are not competitive.

The funny thing is that Bambu didn't innovate. They just made it work really, really well.

I've owned a few 3d printers, including a kit printer, and the Bambu doesn't have any tech that other printers don't. They just always work well, and are easy to maintain.

Others are finally catching up, though. Snapmaker really scared them with the U1 (which is getting insane reviews), and Prusa has finally stepped up and started innovating again, too. The Centauri Carbon is another really good entry-level printer as well and it's eating into Bambu's market.

The Chinese government is heavily subsidizing 3D printers by granting tax deductions up to 200%.

https://www.josefprusa.com/articles/open-hardware-in-3d-prin...

Chinese companies don't have quarterly financial metrics to report to shareholders, which result in severe punishment if the "growth at all costs" strategy isn't followed. This means chasing quarterly profit over innovation, because it's much easier to milk an asset for as long as possible until suddenly it isn't and you're left behind. But that doesn't matter when the pressure is entirely placed on showing financial growth three months from now. Chinese companies are allowed to strategize for the long term, and receive assistance from the CCP to dominate foreign rivals.

Like Japan 40-50 years ago.,