How can you remotely monitor the operation of 3D printers or CNC machines in an isolated, closed room if you have only low-performance compact computers with a webcam? And what if installing surveillance cameras and professional video-monitoring software is too complex and expensive? I’ll explain using the free version of the MyChat messenger as an example.
Anyone who has worked with 3D printing knows that a long process can go according to plan at any moment. It’s important to check the work process in case something goes wrong: the part detaches, or the filament builds up incorrectly. Otherwise, you might return after long hours just to find that all the work was wasted and you have to start over again.
The same applies to various CNC machines.
Sitting in the same room with all this equipment is uncomfortable because of the loud noise, smell, and vibrations, yet you still need to monitor the process. Plus, you often need to maintain humidity and temperature levels, so you can’t just walk in and out freely.
Some 3D printers come with a camera, but there are many printer models, the software varies a lot, and often this “add-on” is not included. Buying it separately is expensive. Or it works only via the internet, with each manufacturer offering its own special software — a mobile app but not a PC client — and monitoring several printers at once becomes a challenge. In short, you end up with a “zoo” of solutions. You want something standard, ideally free.
How to set up video surveillance “on request”?
First, you need to install MyChat messenger — it works perfectly in a local network, via cable, or Wi-Fi, and does not require an internet connection. It’s probably the only corporate messenger that can be configured to automatically answer incoming video calls simply by adjusting the server access rules.
Download MyChatThe free version that supports up to 20 online users is enough. The documentation guide explains how to install the server and client applications. The process is not complicated, as it’s just a standard Windows installer.
Install the client application on the computer located next to the printer, with the camera pointed at your Bambu Lab or Elegoo. The computer can be as simple as possible — even a regular client with minimal RAM will suffice. The main requirement is that the operating system must be newer than Windows XP (MyChat runs on XP, but video calls do not work, as that OS is too outdated).
Then go to the MyChat Server permissions settings in its Admin Panel and enable the rule 207, “Automatically answer incoming calls” for the permission group to which the user on your camera-equipped computer belongs (usually it is the “Guests” group, where all new users are placed after registration):
After that, initiate a video call from the contacts list in your workplace application:
The key point is that the computer answers automatically — no human confirmation is required. And you instantly see video and audio of your printer at work. When you end the call, the application ends the session, and all call recordings are saved on your local computer (console command /records).
If you want extra protection from the “human factor” to prevent closing the MyChat application on the remote computer or messing with the settings, you can enable “Ghost mode” to make the app invisible. But that’s optional.
There are no limits on the duration or number of calls, you are independent from the internet, the server runs in your own network, and the free version supports 20 online users. If you allow external access via the internet, you can monitor the process from an Android or iOS device from anywhere, not just within your LAN. There are no restrictions.
Most importantly, the server is yours, in an isolated network, with no connection to phone numbers or cloud services. The system requirements are minimal — it runs on almost anything.
Overall, we recommend it.