X1 Carbon by BambuLab Unveiled: Comprehensive 3D Printer Review and Ranking
Bambu Lab X1-Carbon 3D Printer Examined: Ahead of Its Competitors
Originally launched as a Kickstarter campaign in May 2022, the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon with AMS has gone on to become an industry standard in the prosumer market. Capable of extruding high temperature materials, printing with multiple colors simultaneously, and offering advanced print controls, the X1-Carbon has a list of features that is rapidly changing the landscape of desktop 3D printers. LIDAR-assisted bed leveling, automatic flow calibration, and a webcam that can automatically generate a timelapse are among the features that come together to create a printer that somehow feels greater than the sum of its parts.
It’s worth noting that Bambu Lab has found itself at the center of a few controversies, including printers thatstarted printing without prompting ,accusations of malicious network traffic , andaccusations of logging inappropriate information . Bambu Lab has responded to all of these issues directly, and continues to directly address customers via theBambu Blog . Most recently, Bambu Lab has indicated it willallow users to choose to install third party firmware , a hot-button topic in the traditionally open source desktop 3D printer community. Despite all of this, Bambu continues to release new and innovative 3D printers at a pace that is currently setting the standard in the desktop and prosumer market.
The Bambu Lab X1-Carbon provides premium features, and as a result carries a premium price tag. Priced at $1,449, the X1-Carbon is more expensive than most of thebest 3D printers , but you get what you pay for. The X1-Carbon with AMS has a reputation of being a printer that “just works”, and during testing it did exactly that. The Bambu Studio software is intuitive enough for beginners but also offers advanced functionality for power users interested in getting the most out of their machines. In addition, the companion Bambu Handy mobile app is perfect for remotely checking the webcam in the machine.
Specifications of Bambu Lab X1-Carbon
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Machine Footprint | 15.32 x 15.32 x 23.23 inches (389mm x 389mm x 590mm) |
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Build Volume | 10.08 x 10.08 x 10.08 inches (256mm x 256mm x 256mm) |
Material | 1.75mm PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PVA, PET |
Power Supply | 350W |
Bed Leveling | LIDAR / Force Gauge Automatic Mesh Leveling |
Nozzle | .4mm default - 0.6mm, 0.8mm, and 0.2mm optional |
Max. Nozzle Temperature | 300°C / 572°F |
Max. Bed Temperature | 120°C / 248°F |
Printing Speed | 500mm/s max. |
Build Platform | Magnetic Flexible Removable Platform, textured PEI optional |
Connectivity | microSD, Wi-Fi |
Interface | 5-inch Color Touchscreen LCD |
Included in the box: Bambu Lab X1-Carbon
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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The Bambu Lab X1-Carbon is packed tightly into a shipping box, with foam brackets outside and inside the machine to reduce the risk of damage during transit. In addition to the printer and all required parts for printing, the X1-Carbon also includes a glue stick, lubrication for the motion system, and three 250 gram spools of material (PLA, PLA-CF, and Support for PLA). Notably absent was a microSD card, required for print jobs sent remotely.
The AMS is shipped inside the X1-Carbon, screwed down with a temporary bracket that prevents it from rattling or moving during shipping. Getting the AMS out of the printer requires removing a few bolts, and doesn’t take much time.
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Assembling the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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Assembling the X1-Carbon (including the AMS) takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. The included Quick Start instructions include step-by-step instructions for each subassembly, and there are multiple QR codes whichlink to instructional videos showing detailed walkthroughs. Non-technical or first time users shouldn’t run into any major issues, and experienced users will have the X1-Carbon up and running in no time.
Leveling the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The X1-Carbon uses a combination of LIDAR and analog force sensor to measure the calibration of the printer and set the Z-offset when printing. The leveling process is automatic, and can be completed before each print to get a consistent first layer.
The first layer inspection is an additional feature which will tram the LIDAR sensor over the first printed layer to check for any areas that didn’t adhere during printing. This additional check adds a few minutes to the total print time, but I found that it worked well during testing. It correctly detected a print that had I deliberately partially lifted from the platform and paused the print so I could inspect the layer instead of continuing.
Loading Filament in the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The X1-Carbon has a filament spool bracket on the rear of the printer, which can hold a single spool of filament that feeds directly into the printer. Using the onboard display, filament can be loaded from either the spool holder or the top-mounted AMS. The X1-Carbon will prompt you to indicate the type of material and color when loading, which can be synced to the Bambu Studio slicer app. When running a multicolor print, the LCD will also prompt users to map the print color to the colors currently loaded in the AMS, a helpful feature for visualization.
Design of the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The shell of the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon is made from a combination of aluminum and glass, making it instantly recognizable and distinct from the typical appearance of i3 derivative machines like thePrusa MK4 ,Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro , and other open-format printers. The top-mounted LCD, glass door, and lack of visible external wires give this printer an appearance that would be right at home next to anApple iMac .
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The X1-Carbon uses aCoreXY motion system with carbon fiber rails on the X-axis that allow for lightning fast print speeds without compromising on quality during rapid movements. The Z-axis uses a single motor connected to three lead screws that move the build platform. The XY gantry is stationary in Z, so the entire platform drops during printing instead of raising the extruder incrementally after each layer.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Attached to the front of the hot end is a part cooling fan that splits the exhaust into two vents pointed directly underneath the nozzle. The hotend on the X1-Carbon is a proprietary one, and replacing the nozzle also involves replacing the hotend (currently available from Bambu Lab for $14.99 ). It’s a time-consuming and complicated process which requires spreading thermal paste to attach the thermistor and screwing in a fan. The fan and thermistor don’t come with the hotend so your best bet might be tospend $35 on a complete assembly with those parts attached.This hotend is rated up to 300°C with a max volumetric flow of 32mm³/s when using ABS.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
In addition to the fans built into the cooling module, the X1-Carbon also features an additional cooling fan on the left side of the chamber. This fan is attached to a tapered exhaust that directs the air into the shape of a curtain which blows directly across the area where filament is extruded.
This additional airflow allows material to cool more rapidly during high speed printing, similar to the fan module on theElegoo Neptune 4 Pro . This fan can be manually controlled along with the part cooling fan and chamber exhaust fan via the Bambu Studio app or from the printer directly.
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(Image credit: Bambu Lab)
(Image credit: Bambu Lab)
The LIDAR system on the X1-Carbon is an interesting one, as it provides feedback that is useful both for Z offset calibration as well as material flow calibration. With an advertised resolution of 7μm, the toolhead-mounted LIDAR sensor scans the initial print lines as well as the first printed layer to check for defects, making it a useful tool for automated workflows. I found this to be a useful tool during my testing, and the flow calibration (in conjunction with the automated build platform leveling) resulted in parts that had clean and consistent bottom layers.
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In practice, I was impressed with the LIDAR sensor and can clearly see the impact it has not only on the calibration but also on the ability to add another closed-loop feedback system to the printer. Similar to the Prusa SL1S (afeature-rich resin 3D printer ), the X1-Carbon shows the value of feedback in a 3D printer, as the printer is able to detect specific problems before they result in a scrapped build.
Bambu Lab Automatic Material System (AMS)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Bambu Lab X1-Carbon isn’t the first multicolor/multi-material extrusion-based desktop 3D printer on the market, but it brings a new level of plug-and-play simplicity for beginners and experienced users alike. The Bambu LabAutomated Material System (AMS for short) holds four spools of filament, and up to four units can be daisy-chained for a total of 16 possible colors using theoptional AMS hub . The AMS is a freestanding unit, and can be positioned either above or to the side of the printer.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The AMS is a sleek piece of hardware, with only two visible connections (one PTFE, one wiring terminal) on the rear of the unit. The semi-opaque top cover lifts up to provide access to the spools of filament, making filament changes a quick operation. Sensor-rich and capable of providing real-time feedback, the AMS can detect filament tangles, switch materials upon runout, and use an RFID-based system to detect what material type and color are loaded (Bambu Lab chipped material only).
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The AMS allows the X1-Carbon to print multiple materials while only using one nozzle; an approach that has both advantages as well as disadvantages. Switching between materials is possible through a purging process which involves cutting, retracting, and replacing the filament with a second material. A priming tower is also created, which allows the material to equalize in pressure before printing to prevent blobs. This allows the X1-Carbon to print multiple colors in a single print using only one nozzle.
Model: Frog by Harald Andersson (Image credit: Bambu Lab)
An example of this style of multicolor printing is theFrog model by Harald Andersson . This model has been sectioned into multiple pieces by the original designer, so printing it in multiple colors is as easy as assigning materials to each individual piece. Using the four colors I loaded in initially (Bambu matte PLA in purple, Bambu matte PLA in green, Prusament Jet Black PLA, and JAYO marble PLA), I assigned colors to each separate body and then sent the build to the printer via Wi-Fi.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
There are two main factors to consider when evaluating the print: the quality of the print, and the quality of the color separation. Printed using the 0.2mm Standard X1C profile, the layers are consistent in height, there are no skipped or missed layers, and the overall quality of the model is good. The different colors are evenly separated, and there is no bleed from the dark black material into the green material on the head.
Model: Frog by Harald Andersson (Image credit: Bambu Lab)
Bambu Studio estimated a total material usage of 115.45 grams: 28.46 for the model, and 86.99 for the purged + tower material. I weighed the frog at 28 grams, and the total purged material at 96 grams. This is a considerable amount of waste material for a single print, but it’s worth noting that it is a non-linear relationship. The total waste material is related to the number of color changes, not the number of models. Adding an additional model (or several) doesn’t substantially change the amount of purged material, only the amount of model material.
Model: Drippy Drum by davemoneysign (Image credit: Bambu Lab)
Bambu Studio is capable of creating multiple builds in a single project, which is a helpful way to compare material usage or total time for different print configurations. I printed theDrippy Drum by davemoneysign in two different ways: one with both parts on the same platform and also printing the pieces individually.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Model: Drippy Drum by davemoneysign
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Model: Drippy Drum by davemoneysign
Printed separately, the purple component printed in one hour and six minutes, using 29 grams of material. The green component printed in two hours and 42 minutes, using 106 grams of material. The combined print took just over 12 hours and produced a substantial amount of purged material, but did complete without any operator intervention.
If filament use isn’t a primary consideration, the ability to run multiple colored prints in a single build is a compelling use case. The amount of purged material can be reduced in a number of ways including reducing the amount of purged filament, purging into infill, etc.
Build Platform on Bambu Lab X1-Carbon
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The X1-Carbon ships with theCool Plate by default, which is a double-sided combination of the Engineering Plate (used for PETG, ABS, TPU, PA, and PC) and the Cool Plate sheet (PLA). Bambu Lab offers individual replacements (and includes two extra with the printer), as the sticker is a consumable.
While the sheet is noted by Bambu Lab as being a consumable, there are no guidelines on the lifespan or number of prints which can be expected from each sheet. Interestingly enough, the FAQ states that the Cool Plate “Cannot be used without glue stick”, while the writing on the plate states “GLUE STICK CAN HELP”.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
In addition to assistance with adhesion, the glue stick is used to create a temporary barrier between the material and the plate, as the part can stick too well to the sticker and tear it during removal. Bambu Lab also offers atextured PEI sheet as an optional accessory , similar to the one that ships on theA1 and theA1 Mini . I didn’t use the PEI sheet in this review, but those tend to be my preference over the flat surface on the Cool Plate as they give printed parts a more even appearance.
Given the relatively small difference in price (Cool Plate is $23.99, Textured PEI is $37.99), it’s surprising to see the printer ship without this plate as an option. If you look atour list of the best 3D printers , you’ll notice many of the top-ranked machines use textured PEI as a build surface. This is due to the fact that texture PEI is easy to remove parts, easy to clean, and durable. Not including a PEI sheet with the X1-Carbon feels like an oversight that would add significant value without incurring significant additional costs.
- Title: X1 Carbon by BambuLab Unveiled: Comprehensive 3D Printer Review and Ranking
- Author: George
- Created at : 2024-08-19 03:00:29
- Updated at : 2024-08-20 03:00:29
- Link: https://hardware-tips.techidaily.com/x1-carbon-by-bambulab-unveiled-comprehensive-3d-printer-review-and-ranking/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.