The Friendliest 3D Printer I’ve Ever Used
When it comes to drones, DJI is a name that dominates the industry. They revolutionized the market by creating drones that were easy for beginners to control, rather than targeting experienced flyers. Now, the same engineering team behind DJI has founded Bambu Lab, a company aimed at doing the same for 3D printers. And with their latest release, the Bambu A1 Mini, they may have achieved their goal.
Priced at just $299, the Bambu A1 Mini is possibly the most user-friendly 3D printer on the market. In the past week and a half, I’ve been using this printer to churn out parts with ease. The printer excels in printing in PLA, the most commonly used plastic, and can handle up to four different colors at once. The quality of the prints is impressive and requires minimal effort on my part. However, I do wish that the printer had a larger bed and was better suited for printing with PETG plastic, which is more durable.
The A1 Mini comes almost fully assembled and calibrated, making it easy to get started right out of the box. One of the standout features of this printer is its motorized automatic material system (AMS). The AMS supports four-color printing and eliminates many of the frustrations that come with loading filament. It automatically pulls in filament strands without the need for cutting, and rewinds any excess once the print is complete. This feature alone has made my printing experience much smoother.
Setting up the printer was a breeze. It took just over an hour from unboxing to printing a three-color Benchy, a popular test print in the industry. A significant portion of that time was spent on the printer’s automatic calibration process, which left me impressed. The printer even fine-tuned its motors in front of my eyes and added active noise cancellation to reduce sound, a feature that will be available on future Bambu printers.
While the A1 Mini’s cooling fan can be a bit loud, it is an otherwise quiet printer. The only other concern is the release of tiny particles of molten plastic during the printing process, which can be hazardous to health. Despite these minor drawbacks, the printer is a welcome addition to any home office.
For $300, you can purchase the A1 Mini without the four-color AMS. However, I highly recommend investing in the AMS, as it allows for convenient printing of multiple parts in different colors. While the “AMS Lite” lacks the moisture protection of the original AMS, it now supports more environmentally friendly cardboard spools, preventing potential jamming issues.
The A1 Mini also handles essential calibration processes on its own, such as bed leveling and Z-offset calibration. These features ensure that each print starts off correctly and produce satisfactory results. Additionally, the printer is impressively fast, able to complete prints quickly without compromising quality.
Compared to my previous Bambu printers and other well-tuned machines, the print quality with PLA plastic is nearly on par. Only minor flaws, such as slightly worse seams and vibration, can be observed upon close inspection. However, when it comes to PETG plastic, the printer performs exceptionally well.
I’ve tested the A1 Mini with three different types of PETG filament at varying speeds, and the results have exceeded my expectations. The printer’s ability to efficiently print with PETG plastic sets it apart from the competition.
In conclusion, the Bambu A1 Mini is undoubtedly one of the friendliest 3D printers I’ve had the pleasure of using. It is ideal for beginners and experienced users alike, offering high-quality prints with minimal effort. While there are some minor limitations, such as the smaller bed size and noise from the cooling fan, the overall experience is incredibly enjoyable. The addition of the automatic material system and the printer’s self-calibration capabilities make it a standout device in the market. With its affordable price and impressive performance, the Bambu A1 Mini is a solid choice for anyone looking to enter the world of 3D printing.
New Perspectives on the Bambu A1 Mini Printer
I’ve recently had the opportunity to test out the Bambu A1 Mini 3D printer, and while there are some aspects of this printer that I am not entirely satisfied with, I believe it has a lot of potential. In this blog post, I will discuss my experience with the printer and share my thoughts on its performance and features.
One of the first things I noticed about the Bambu A1 Mini was its difficulty in printing certain materials. With default settings, I found that some materials did not adhere well to the printer’s metal PEI bed, resulting in failed prints and a lot of wasted material. Additionally, when I tried to print transparent PETG, I was surprised to find that the results were far more opaque than I had expected. I tried adjusting the heat and slowing down the printing speed, but I still couldn’t achieve the desired quality. This issue is something that I plan to troubleshoot further with Bambu and see how other journalists have fared with PETG before giving a final verdict.
Another drawback I encountered was the limited size of the print bed. In order to print larger parts, I had to lay them down diagonally, which was not always ideal. Unfortunately, this meant that I was unable to print certain models, such as a three-color version of 3Dprintingworld’s telescoping Zelda Master Sword, simply because they were too tall for the printer. While this may not be a problem for everyone, it is something to consider if you have specific print requirements.
The A1 Mini’s camera, which is meant for remote monitoring and creating timelapse videos, also left me feeling underwhelmed. Not only did the privacy lens cover fall off during one of my initial prints, but the overall quality of the camera was not up to par. Additionally, one of the most exciting advertised features of the printer, the ability to automatically detect tangled filament and stop a print, did not work as expected. Even when intentionally tangling a filament roll, the printer continued to pull on it without stopping. This was disappointing, as it is a feature that could greatly benefit 3D printing enthusiasts and prevent unnecessary wasted material.
With that being said, the Bambu A1 Mini does have its strengths. Loading filament into the printer is incredibly easy, thanks to multiple sensors located at the hotend itself. These sensors accurately detect when the filament is running out and allow for effortless addition of more filament, even using small scraps that would have otherwise been discarded. I was able to print multiple objects using these leftover scraps, which was quite impressive.
The printer also features an integrated color touchscreen, which is a vast improvement over the basic controls of my previous printer. However, in order to fully utilize the printer’s capabilities, the MakerWorld platform, currently in beta, is recommended. This platform allows for one-button printing of models uploaded to the company’s app. While I did receive a gift kit to build my own computer mouse, there is currently limited content available on MakerWorld specifically for the A1 Mini. Bambu is relying on its users to populate the platform and only tests some of the one-button prints itself. Alternatively, you can use the Bambu Studio desktop app to print internet files, but this does come with a slight learning curve, especially for multicolor printing.
In terms of durability and repairability, it is too early to determine how the A1 Mini will hold up over time. However, one promising feature of the printer is its hotend, which can be easily hot-swapped without the need for any tools. Bambu uses proprietary hotend and nozzle combinations, allowing for a hassle-free replacement process should the need arise.
In conclusion, the Bambu A1 Mini 3D printer has its pros and cons. While there are certain aspects, such as printing certain materials and the limited print bed size, that need improvement, there are also features, like easy filament loading and hotend replacement, that are worth acknowledging. I plan to continue testing and troubleshooting with Bambu and eagerly await the feedback from other journalists who have experienced the printer. With some further development and user feedback, I believe the Bambu A1 Mini has the potential to be a worthwhile addition to the 3D printing community.
Introducing the Bambu A1 Mini: The Perfect Addition to Your 3D Printing Arsenal!
Today, we are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated release of the Bambu A1 Mini 3D printer. With its sleek design and advanced features, this compact printer is set to revolutionize the way you bring your ideas to life.
One of the most exciting aspects of this printer is its affordability. Priced at just $399, the A1 Mini offers incredible value for money. But that’s not all – Bambu is also offering a range of optional extras to enhance your printing experience. Want to print with different nozzle sizes? Bambu has got you covered. They offer 0.4mm stainless steel nozzles for $12 each, replacement 0.4mm stainless steel nozzles for $10, and a premium 0.2mm stainless steel nozzle for $12. With these options, you can customize your printing to suit your exact needs.
The A1 Mini may be small in size, but it certainly doesn’t compromise on performance. It boasts a substantial print volume, allowing you to bring your biggest ideas to life. However, if the A1 Mini doesn’t offer quite the print volume you’re looking for, fear not. Bambu has confirmed that the A1 series is just the beginning – they have more exciting printer options in the pipeline. Bambu spokesperson Taylor Liu reveals, “You can expect more than A1 Mini in the future, and we are working on it!” This means that no matter your printing needs, Bambu will have a solution for you.
As an avid 3D printing enthusiast, I am always on the lookout for ways to enhance my printing setup. While I won’t be purchasing an A1 Mini personally, I can’t help but admire its innovative features. However, what I am particularly excited about is the possibility of adding the AMS Lite filament-feeding system to my existing printer. The AMS Lite allows for hassle-free filament changes, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted printing experience. I can’t wait to get my hands on one!
If you’re interested in purchasing the Bambu A1 Mini, you’ll be pleased to know that the first batch is scheduled to ship in mid-October. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to take your 3D printing game to the next level.
For more information about the A1 Mini and other exciting products, keep an eye out for updates from Bambu. In the meantime, don’t forget to sign up for Verge Deals to receive exclusive discounts on products we’ve personally tested. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on these fantastic deals!
So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to unleash your creativity with the Bambu A1 Mini and revolutionize your 3D printing experience. Place your order today and take the first step towards bringing your ideas to life!
“Why did the 3D printer go to therapy? Because it had too many layers of unresolved issues!”
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