Beginner, a few questions… looking at Bambu labs

[RobH2]

I've been a Product Designer/3d Designer for over 20-years. Learning to build quality and accurate models has a pretty good learning curve but anyone who decides to make it a goal can learn it. It just takes time and dedication like everything else. Fortunately these days there are all kinds of 3d software that are user friendly.


If you want to become more "engineering-like" you may eventually move to CAD, like IronCAD or SolidWorks. Or you may like some of the features you get with 3ds Max or Maya, which also do fantastic modeling. What to learn on is a deep rabbit hole, but don't be afraid to do it. Maybe get something free or inexpensive to see if you like it and then move up. The principles are the same, the buttons are in just different places. I'm 100% self-taught and have made a living making 3d stuff for nearly 3 decades.


As to a printer, I wanted somehting to do concept models for my clients. About 10-years ago I built a MakerFarm 10" printer and modified it heavily. It was a really good printer and did everything I needed at that time. It started to fail/die about 2 years ago and I quit using it, but missed the ability to print. So last week I spent about 30 hours researching. I ended up with a Bambu P1S. It is mind-blowingly good. I can't say enough good things about it. So if you are just getting started, save a few bucks, get the P1S and AMS and give it a go. Put the saved $500 into software. I don't feel the X1 does that much more besides having a heated chamber for filament drying a few other nicities. But, either way, the Bambu, X1 or P1S would be a fantastic starting printer for you.


Combine that with an entry level CAD program and you'll be in heaven pretty darn soon.

Edit: In case it helps you and others, my plan is to test the Bambu 0.2mm hot end against the 0.4mm version. I'm posting a few photos of some really tiny parts. Even as it was a great printer, I could never even remotely print anything useful of these small parts with my Makerfarm. That's not Makerfarm's fault, it just wasn't high enough resoultion. I've posted an image made with the 0.4mm hotend while I wait for the 0.2mm hotend to arrive.


In my search for this new printer, I saw a lot of nice photos of test prints, phone cases, little boxes, figit thingys, etc. I never saw any real empirical and microcopic tests. Have a look at these photos. They are on the very edge of what the printer can do and you might be inclined to think they look a little rough, but, keep in mind, some of the holes and teeth are smaller than the inside of an "A" on a US money note. I'm blown away by how good they look being as small as they are.


That tells me, anything larger than a dime is going to print fantastically. I can't wait to test the 0.2mm hotend. I've only had this P1S for 3-days and I'm just blown away after every print I've made so far and all at 'default' settings. Don't get me wrong, I know there are a number of excellent Prusa and other printers that can print this level, but few of them for $900 considering all the other features the Bambu has. I guess I'm still trying to convince myself that I made the right decision and I think with this test print I can stop doubting myself...lol...


Tiny Parts_Bambu P1S_0.4 Hotend_.08 layer height_s.jpg