Bambu Lab 3D Printer

This equipment is Noise Category 3: Can be used at all hours. No limits.

This equipment is safety category 3:

• Mandatory, in person, instructions.
  
• Make sure you read the Wiki before asking.

Introduction

We have a new Bambu P1S printer. This is a step change from our existing Ultimaker printers.

Training for this machine is seperate to the training for the ultimaker printers.
For other info visit Bambulabs own wiki here:

https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/p1

Usage

Training is mandatory to use this printer.

There are currently 8 people trained to instruct in the use of this machine. Please ask on the members mailing list if you want to arrange training on this printer.

It was agreed in the participants' council meeting that the printer will be on trial for the time being (2 to 3 months).
A few agreements have been made for its use:

Use of the Bambu Lab P1S Combo

• Instruction is required before you can use the printer
• For now, only use PLA supplied by MakerSpace.
  • Available in PLA, black, white, red and green.
• Evaluation will follow after two to three months, after which we will expand the possibilities (own filament and such)
  • Please note: the P1S only likes 1.75 mm filament!
• Weigh your project after printing and calculate and pay the costs
  • Up to 35 grams you pay € 1.50 ( this works out at € 0.04 per gram (MSL Price))
  • Above that, always a multiple of 35 gram
  • Use the Payment Terminal; swipe your tag to "filament" and pay 1 or more times. (There is also an option for 10x 35g @ €15.00 at the time of writing it's the last option on the terminal, this is useful if you have larger prints.)
• Do not start a print when you are not physically at the space. (If you were the last user of the printer, and someone has removed your print, in theory it's possible to start another print remotely. Don't do it, it's antisocial, and prone to issues.)
  • A print can be started and then left unattended. You can monitor the print remotely via the mobile app.
• Please leave a note on the front of the printer with your name, and the data. When the print is done, another user may remove your print from the printer, the label can then be transfered so you can find it later.
• DO NOT USE ADHESIVE ON THE PRINT BED. The Textured print bed does not need any adhesive in order to print PLA, so don't use any, it just makes things messy.

Happy Printing!

Firmware Updates

The printer will occasionally pop up and ask about firmware updates.

It is ok to say yes to the update, but if you do so, please email the members list to say you've done it.

Filament

Currently the only filament that should be used in the printer is purchased by the makerspace. During the evaluation period we have tried the Bambu own brand PLA, and 123 3D's own brand. Prelimary tests show that the 123 3D own brand is not as good as the bambu own brand. Bambu's own brand filament costs about €23.5-26.5 per kg vs €22.5 for the 123-3d filament. The cost saving is not worth it for the reduction in quality. Please do not try to use your own filament (this may change in the future).

Connecting

note: if you made a previous attempt to connect with the p1s you might need to "forget" the machine in your bluetooth settings.

For now you will have to make an account with bambulab and install the bambu handy app on a mobile device.
-Go to the third menu on the printer. Log out any account that might still be there and start connecting to a new account.
-In the bambu handy app go to > devices > + > Nearby devices
-follow the apps instructions from here on out

Slicing

Windows and Mac

Bambu labs have their own slicer, available for Windows and mac, it can be found on the bambu labs website.

https://bambulab.com/en/download

Linux

Under linux Bambu studio (a repackaged Prusa slicer), is available as either a flatpak, or an appimage:

• https://flathub.org/apps/com.bambulab.BambuStudio

• https://github.com/Bambulab/BambuStudio/releases/tag/v01.09.03.50

These have not yet been tested by any members, usual warnings about downloading unknown software off the internet apply. If you get it working, please update this section.

Upgrades

A poop chute has been 3d printed, to collect the ejected filament from purging the print head.

We have three different print beds:
- Original Bambu Textured PEI Plate (came with the printer)
- Carbon Look / Diamonds (Juupine)
- PEI textured, smoother than the original one (Juupine)

Please use the stand next to the printer to store the print beds.

Do not clean these plates with agressive products like alcohol, but just use a wet cloth with some dishsoap to remove any fingerprints, or better yet, don't touch the plates with your fingers.

We should consider getting a double sided Textured and smooth print bed for when a smooth surface on layer 1 is important. (Cost ~€45)

Instructions

What should I do to get instruction for this device?

1. Make sure you have read the instructions in this wiki page
2. Ask for instructions on the members email list or contact one of the instructors directly (link to be updated): https://makerspaceleiden.nl/crm/acl/machine/43

Tips & Tricks

This is a new machine so every experience to share matters!

The AMS is a new feature in our 3D printing setup. While AMS is short for Automatic Material Systems, at times the automatic isn't doing what it should do. When you get a warning in the app such as "AMS failed to pull back filament. This could be due to a stuck spool or the end of the filament being stuck in the path” do not dispair.

• First try powering the machine off and back on again. This may solve the problem.
• Check if the spool can move and filament isn't blocking on the spool. If all seems fine try printing again. Should the Warning still appear check the next step.
• Check if you have selected the spool with the spool with the filament colour of your choice in the app. Do an Unload / Load instruction. This will force the AMS to go back and forth with the filament of your desired spool. This solved the problem when I did my first print.

When using multiple colours you can reduce the amount of waste by:

• Orientation, if the colour changes are lower in the print, the prime tower can be lower
• Flush options settings, so that the flush happens inside your print.

Training notes

• On start up the print head bangs into the walls. This is normal.
• It screams when doing filament feeding
• The device is a trial, things may change after evaluation
• Stick to using bambu studio
• Use only space provided filament
• You need to use the app to be able to print
• You will need an account on the bambulabs website
• Machine bluetooth name is shows up as BBLPrinter
• Nozel installed is 0.4mm
• There are notches on the back of the build plate, these need to line up
• Keep the door closed to keep the humidity constant.
• We need to define ethics of usage.
• It will level the build plate when you hit start.