Bambu Lab X1-Carbon 3D Printer

Image Courtesy of Bambu Lab

General Information

Number of Printers: 3

Maximum Build Volume: 256mm (10″) x 256mm (10″) x 256mm (10″) (L x W x H)

Filament Diameter: 1.75mm (0.069″)

Filament types: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, ASA, PVA, PET (Ideal for PA, PC, Carbon/ Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer)

Procedure

Similarly to our other desktop 3D printers, the X1-Carbon is available to users at no cost.

The X1-Carbon is not restricted to proprietary filaments, therefore, we will be offering users two paths for to procure filament:

  1. Users may supply their own filament and consumables.
  2. Users may opt to purchase filament supplied by the digital fabrication lab.

While the X1-Carbon does have a high print success rate, users should still plan to remain on campus and plan to periodically check-in on the X1-Carbon while it is printing during the digital fabrication lab’s hours of operation. If a print is to be continued after hours, or over night, it is the users responsibility to be present and monitor the printer. Please be aware that the X1-Carbon can be paused, powered off, and resume printing the following day.

Please Note: The desktop 3D printers are available on a first come first serve basis. 

Process:

Prior to Printing:

  1. See what filament is offered by the digital fabrication lab or obtain the correct filament for the desktop 3D printers. Filament specs are located on the Digital Fabrication Lab website. 
  2. Download the corresponding slicing software online to prepare models for printing. 
  3. Save gcode files on a micro SD card. A micro SD card is available in ARC 161.

Day of Printing:

  1. Visit the lab during regular hours to have a Lab student employee unlock ARC 161.
  2. Users are welcomed to stay in ARC 161 for as long as they would like as long as they are monitoring their print jobs. 
  3. Printed instruction guides are available in ARC 161 for each 3D printer.

Safety Guidelines

3D Printer Safety Guidelines

Software & File Preparation

Bambu Studio is the software used to prepare files for 3D printing and send prints to the printer. Files can be exported from modeling software in .stl or .stp file formats and loaded into Bambu Studio for preparation.

Bambu Studio

Bambu Studio Setup:

  1. Printer Type: Bambu Lab X1 Carbon
  2. Nozzle Size: 0.4 mm
  3. Filament Types: Select All
  4. Plate Types: Cool Plate/PLA Plate, Engineering Plate, Smooth PEI plate, Textured PEI plate
  5. AMS Filament Organization: (1) Bambu Support for PLA, (2) Bambu PLA Basic [white], (3) Bambu PLA Basic [grey], (4) Bambu PLA Basic [red]

Please ensure all .stl or .stp files adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. The geometry must form a closed “watertight” solid
  2. There are NO naked edges or non-manifold edges

Build Plates & Bed Adhesion

Tip: we recommend first time users opt for the textured PEI plate as it is the simplest to use with the best results. Brims should be added to parts that have small footprints to improve bed adhesion.

Preparing the Cool Plate/PLA Plate and Engineering Plate for use:

  1. Clean with warm water and soap
  2. Clean with isopropyl alcohol and microfiber cloth
  3. Apply glue stick

Preparing the Smooth PEI plate and Textured PEI plate for use:

  1. Clean with isopropyl alcohol and microfiber cloth

Filament Supplied By the Digital Fabrication Lab

The Digital Fabrication Lab is currently offering the following types of filament for the X1-Carbon in the following colors:

  1. Bambu PLA Basic [Approximate cost: $0.03/gram]
    • Jade White (10100)
    • Gray (10103)
    • Red (10200)
    • Black (10101)
    • Cyan (10603)
    • Yellow (10400)
    • Orange (10300)
    • Magenta (10202)
    • Green (10501)
  2. Bambu Support for PLA [Approximate cost: $0.04/gram]
  3. Bambu PVA [Approximate cost: $0.08/gram]
    • Water-dissolvable support material
  4. Bambu PLA-CF [Approximate cost: $0.04/gram]
    • Black (14100)
  5. Bambu ABS [Approximate cost: $0.03/gram]
    • White (40100)

Prior to providing filament, the digital fabrication lab with calculate filament cost in Bambu Studio. Rebelcard is the only form of payment accepted.

Disclaimer: Please remember the digital fabrication lab provides filament for user convenience and 3D printing remains at users’ own risk. The digital fabrication lab is not responsible for failed prints, never guarantees 3D print success, or provides completed 3D printed parts/models.

Example Cost Calculation

Below is an example of how much a Benchy model would cost to print once it is sliced in Bambu Studio. This model would take 4.04 meters of 1.75mm PLA filament to print and cost $0.31.