Bambu Labs X1 Carbon vs. Bambu Labs P1P Review: Two Fast 3D Printers Compared #GeekLeap

Bambu Labs is new to 3D printing, however the firm is already making waves. The $1,450 X1 Carbon, the corporate’s first 3D printer, did so properly on its preliminary Kickstarter — bringing in round $7 million — Bambu Labs was capable of fund the manufacturing of a second, extra accessible choice, the $699 P1P. Whereas Bambu Labs emphasizes that these are two very completely different merchandise, the variations between them aren’t all the time apparent.

Bambu Labs despatched each an X1C and P1P, every full with an Automated Materials System, for evaluate. I’ve spent numerous time working with each machines, and each of them carry out properly. Which one is best for you will rely on whether or not you are wanting to make use of numerous unique supplies, or if you need velocity at a superb worth.

Head to Head

These two printers are alike in some methods, vastly completely different in others, making a direct comparability tough. Each of them have the identical underlying chassis, the identical carbon rods and the identical CoreXY design. The time period CoreXY is used to explain a 3D printer with a print head that does not transfer up and down, making it extra secure and permitting for some insane velocity. Each the X1C and the P1P are among the many quickest 3D printers I’ve seen exterior of the industrial area, and whereas the Bambu Labs’ declare of 500mm/s print speeds is likely to be inflated, it is not by a lot.

To offer you some understanding of how briskly these printers are, the Prusa Mk3s is certainly one of my high 3D printer picks and it could print the CNET check file in 5 hours and 48 minutes. The X1C and the P1P on the ludicrous mode setting — sure, that’s the setting’s official identify — can print it in simply 1:18. Velocity is not all the things, however the finish result’s a check mannequin that is pretty much as good as what the Prusa can produce. Three printers have efficiently printed the CNET check mannequin, certainly one of them is the Prusa, and the opposite two are the Bambu Labs fashions.

In the event that they’re so related then why is there an virtually $750 worth distinction? It is due to the extras. 

The P1P is a barebones printer compared to the X1C. It comes with no covers in any respect, simply the naked chassis, whereas the X1C has a sturdy aluminum body and glass doorways. There are additionally variations within the print head that permit the X1 Carbon to print unique supplies like carbon fiber filament. This hardened metal scorching finish can survive the abrasive nature of those supplies, whereas the P1P’s chrome steel nozzle would grind away.

The X1C additionally consists of an Automated Materials System, or AMS. That is a small unit that sits on high of the X1C and feeds 4 rolls of filament into it. An AMS helps you to print a single mannequin with 4 completely different colours, or it helps you to use completely different supplies in the identical construct. It prices $349 individually, so consider the $1,450 as a bundle worth. The opposite massive improve is a lidar sensor that helps stage the mattress and detect errors within the first layer. This will scale back failures, and of the 30-plus prints I’ve finished on the X1C, solely two have failed.

The P1P has some irritating cost-saving measures in comparison with the X1C, which have led to extra print failures. The Wi-Fi module and microSD card are not the identical as these within the X1C; they really feel each low-cost and almost ineffective. The microSD card is basically the SSD for the P1P, and since the cardboard it comes with is so gradual it creates faults within the prints because the 3D printer cannot entry the data shortly sufficient. The Wi-Fi is usually so dangerous that sending a file on to the printer will crash the software program, forcing me to restart from scratch.

The X1C would not endure from both of those points. The Wi-Fi is rock stable and whereas additionally having an SD card slot, additionally appears to have extra onboard reminiscence, making it considerably quicker than the P1P at transferring recordsdata. The X1C additionally comes geared up with a digicam that permits for 1080p timelapse movies, print monitoring by way of the useful app and even reside streaming within the newest replace. The P1P will be geared up with the identical digicam as an non-obligatory additional, however I’ve but to get it to work appropriately. 

Does the velocity scale back the standard?

The quick reply is not any. Within the final decade of testing printers I’ve by no means seen an FDM printer — one which makes use of filament to 3D print — produce prints of this high quality at even half this velocity. Not one of the greatest 3D printers available on the market come shut while you tie each high quality and velocity collectively. And I imply this for each the $1,450 X1C and the $700 P1P. The standard is tough to explain.

One of many many exams I’ve finished on these printers was to print Bordeaux the Octopus, certainly one of my favourite prints, and a sophisticated print to get proper. Each the X1C and the P1P produced an excellent print, however it was their similarities that actually struck me. The error which you can see on this picture is strictly the identical on each printers. 

Understanding that each of those printers have virtually the very same print high quality and velocity make it simpler to suggest the P1P for most individuals. If you’ll be printing PLA, PETG or TPU, then save your self the additional $700 and purchase the P1P. You may save sufficient to splurge on the AMS unit, and perhaps a pleasant 32GB MicroSD card that is not terrible.

The place the X1 Carbon excels over the P1P is for prime temperature and abrasive supplies. In my testing, there wasn’t a cloth that the X1C could not print. The printer comes with just a few rolls of various filaments, certainly one of them a carbon fiber mix. I gave it a attempt, making small instruments and sensible prints. The X1C customary software program profiles for these filaments had been greater than as much as the duty, and every one printed out easily. 

Which Bambu Labs printer do you have to purchase?

Earlier than answering, it is necessary to know that both of those machines can be an excellent purchase. These are the cream of 3D printing proper now, and would be the template for midrange to high-end printers shifting ahead. My solely qualm, and the one purpose I would not purchase a whole print farm of those simply but, is that Bambu Labs is a younger firm with numerous proprietary software program and {hardware}. We do not understand how its customer support, components service or aftercare will pan out, although I have never heard complaints but. 

That being stated, if you happen to’re making cool fashions for your self and your mates — and even if you happen to’re working a enterprise making 3D-printed components for Etsy — the P1P is an entire no brainer. It is properly constructed, it produces unbelievable print outcomes and is priced so competitively it is virtually inconceivable to consider. It isn’t good; the LCD display is just too small for all the data it must convey (I hope an improve turns into out there quickly) and the SD card it ships with is rubbish. However for all the things else, it is a near-perfect machine.

With the ability to 3D print your personal case might not appear sensible, however it’s numerous enjoyable. Bambu Labs despatched me the recordsdata to print a case with the CNET brand which seems wonderful, however individuals are already making customized builds, like this Companion Dice from Portal by neil3dprints to essentially make your printer stand out.

So if the P1P is so good, why does the X1 Carbon get the upper rating? Whereas the X1C is a product designed for a smaller viewers, it’s the total higher product. The AMS means that you can print with completely different supplies and colours, whereas the upgraded enclosure, hardened nozzle and Lidar digicam ensure that any mannequin you make is pretty much as good as it could get. 

The one factor that retains the X1C from being good is the worth and the waste. When utilizing the AMS, the X1C purges numerous materials to maintain your mannequin wanting good. Sadly it means the waste is usually extra materials than the print. My one failure on the X1C was a cranium with a mohawk. The mannequin itself weighed 130 grams, however the waste was over 250 grams. That’s unacceptable. Even utilizing PLA, a plastic that’s considerably biodegradable, that quantity of waste is untenable. There are methods to cut back that considerably — you’ll be able to purge to the infill or one other mannequin — however you’ll be able to anticipate to listen to the time period “Bambu poop” for a very long time. 

Apart from that, Bambu Labs has finished one thing exceptional right here. In the midst of just some months, the corporate has radically altered the 3D printing panorama. The dream of 3D printing has all the time been to quickly create designs and prototypes at high-speed with excessive accuracy. Whereas velocity has all the time been relative, the X1C and P1P are really ludicrous. They also have a velocity setting known as ludicrous. That is how ludicrous they’re. Velocity must be tied to high quality although, in any other case it is pointless. The X1C and P1P ship each of these in spades. 

If I had $1,500 of my very own cash, which one would I purchase? I might go along with a P1P and an non-obligatory AMS, perhaps two — you’ll be able to have as much as 4 AMS models on one printer for a complete of 16 colours — and even two P1P printers. I do not use unique filaments however I print numerous PETG and PLA, and the P1P delivers an expertise higher than virtually each printer in its worth vary.