The Bambu P1S has been making waves in the maker community, promising to revolutionize desktop fabrication. This review will dive deep into what makes the Bambu P1S stand out from the crowd, covering unboxing and setup, print quality and speed, software and user interface, pricing, and multi-material printing capabilities.
Unboxing and Setup
What’s in the Box
The P1S package includes everything you need to start printing right away:
– P1S 3D printer unit with pre-installed build plate
– Power cable
– PTFE tube
– Allen keys
– Unclogging pin tool
– Spool holder
– Control screen
– Sample of green PLA filament
– Spare hotend
– Nozzle wiping pads
– MicroSD card with test models
Assembly Process
Setting up the P1S is relatively straightforward:
1. Attach the spool holder using the provided screws and Allen key.
2. Install the screen by connecting the LCD cable and securing it into the slot on the printer.
3. Remove the packaging materials and safety screws as indicated in the manual.
Initial Configuration
Once the physical setup is complete, it’s time to configure the printer:
1. Connect the printer to a power source.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete initial calibration.
3. Scan the QR code with the Bambu Handy app to bind the printer.
4. The printer will run a self-test routine to ensure everything is working correctly.
Print Quality and Speed
The Bambu P1S 3D printer boasts exceptional print quality and blazing-fast speeds. It achieves excellent results without extensive tweaking or calibration. The layer consistency is remarkable, producing smooth and detailed prints with clean, sharp edges, significantly reducing visible layer lines.
Standard vs. Ludicrous Mode
The P1S offers four different printing speeds: silent, standard, sport, and ludicrous. The standard mode produces excellent results, but the ludicrous mode is where the printer truly shines. This mode prints at 166% of the standard speed, significantly reducing print times while maintaining high quality.
Software and User Interface
Bambu Studio Slicer
Bambu Studio, the printer’s proprietary software, is a powerful and user-friendly slicer. Built on PrusaSlicer with features borrowed from Cura, it’s accessible for both beginners and experienced users. The software includes an intuitive interface with sections for preparing models, adjusting settings, and previewing sliced files.
Smartphone App Integration
The Bambu Handy app allows for remote monitoring and control. Users can start previous projects, make real-time adjustments to ongoing prints, and streamline the entire printing process from their phones. The app also supports automatic recording of the printing process.
On-Device Controls
While the P1S doesn’t have a color touchscreen, its on-device interface is functional. Firmware updates have improved functionality, adding features like filament feeding and unloading. However, some aspects, like setting temperatures, can be a bit cumbersome and require multiple button presses.
Pricing
The Bambu P1S is positioned as a high-end consumer 3D printer, with pricing that reflects its advanced features and capabilities. As of 2024, the base model of the P1S typically retails for around $699-$799, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.
For those interested in multi-material printing, the P1S Combo, which includes the Automatic Material System (AMS), is priced higher, usually in the range of $949-$1,049. This price point places it in competition with other prosumer-grade 3D printers but offers unique features that may justify the cost for many users.
It’s worth noting that prices can vary based on location, availability, and market conditions, so it’s always best to check with authorized retailers for the most up-to-date pricing information.
Multi-Material Printing
The Bambu P1S truly shines when it comes to multi-material printing, especially when paired with the optional Automatic Material System (AMS). This feature sets the P1S apart from many of its competitors and opens up a world of possibilities for complex, multi-color prints.
Automatic Material System (AMS)
The AMS is an add-on device that can hold up to four spools of filament. It automatically switches between these materials during printing, allowing for seamless color changes and the use of different materials within a single print job. Here are some key points about the AMS:
– Compatibility: The P1S can support up to four AMS units when used with the AMS hub, allowing for a total of 16 different filaments to be used in a single print.
– Easy Color Assignment: Using Bambu Studio’s Coloring tool, you can easily assign different colors to specific parts of your 3D models.
– Automatic Switching: The AMS handles material changes automatically, reducing the need for manual intervention during multi-color prints.
– Filament Management: The system includes features like filament runout detection and automatic loading/unloading, making it easier to manage multiple materials.
Benefits of Multi-Material Printing
With the P1S and AMS combination, you can achieve:
– Multi-color prints: Create vibrant, multi-colored objects without the need for painting or post-processing.
– Soluble supports: Use water-soluble support materials for complex geometries, making support removal easier and improving surface finish.
– Functional prototypes: Combine rigid and flexible materials in a single print for more realistic prototypes.
– Artistic freedom: Experiment with color gradients and material transitions within your prints.
Considerations
While multi-material printing with the P1S is impressive, there are a few things to keep in mind:
– Increased print times: Switching between materials can add to the overall print duration.
– Potential for waste: Purging between color changes can result in some filament waste.
– Learning curve: Effectively using multi-material printing may require some practice and experimentation to achieve optimal results.
Despite these minor considerations, the multi-material capabilities of the Bambu P1S with the AMS represent a significant advancement in consumer 3D printing technology, offering users unprecedented flexibility and creativity in their projects.
Conclusion
The Bambu P1S 3D printer stands out as a game-changer in desktop fabrication. Its combination of high-quality prints, blazing speeds, and user-friendly software makes it an attractive choice for makers of all levels. The printer’s ability to maintain excellent print quality even at high speeds, along with its compatibility with third-party filaments, gives it a real edge in the market.
For those looking to elevate their 3D printing capabilities, the Bambu P1S is definitely worth considering. Its multi-material printing capabilities, when paired with the AMS, open up new possibilities for complex, colorful projects. The smartphone app integration allows for easy monitoring and control, offsetting some of the limitations of the on-device interface.
While the price point may be higher than some entry-level printers, the features and performance of the Bambu P1S make it a compelling option for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Whether you’re printing functional prototypes, artistic creations, or anything in between, the P1S offers the speed, quality, and versatility to bring your ideas to life. For those of you interested in other groundbreaking machines available to you, check out our take on the best 3D printers of 2024!
If our review hasn’t convinced you, I highly recommend checking out Tom’s Hardware’s take on this Bambu beauty. Their Bambu Lab P1S Review is packed with insightful comments and detailed analysis of this fantastic product.
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