Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D Printer Assessment

One of the spectacular corporations within the 3D printing world, Bambu Lab, launched an inexpensive “mini” Bambu Lab A1 machine, whose worth is near Anycubic and Creality entries. The Chair of the Engineering Division at Gambody has examined and reviewed the brand new A1 mini, providing his opinion on this new state-of-the-art desktop machine that may change the way you 3D print at residence.

Discover out what’s contained in the field with A1 mini, the way it 3D prints, and what extras Bambu Lab provides their prospects, alongside with 3D printers.

Learn additionally: Gorgeous 3D Printer Designs 2024

Bambu 3D Printer

Bambu Lab grew to become among the finest home-use 3D printer producers rapidly sufficient, successful prospects’ hearts with their price-quality ratio. It was the overall idea of the corporate, not simply its AMS multi-colored plastic provide system. Bambu Lab didn’t comply with anybody else. Their engineers, who had lately created DJI, the world’s finest digital camera drone for residence use, turned their consideration to 3D printing and utterly reimagined the machine by designing the primary Bambu 3D printer, Lab X1.

Even earlier than its launch, hundreds of hobbyists pre-ordered the primary Bambu 3D printer by means of the crowdfunding platform as a result of they trusted the corporate (DJI), loved a superb low cost on the Bambu printer, and have been wowed by a totally new method to 3D printing with multi-colored filaments.

Lab X1 boasts many important benefits, similar to an inner fan for making a uniform temperature surroundings contained in the body, the power to print with carbon fiber, a quick-release nozzle, an AMS system, and, after all, wonderful print pace and high quality. Nonetheless, one factor that scared away some prospects was the Banby 3D printer’s price of over 1,700 euros (roughly $1,845). Such an entry worth was excessive, though justified, and never everybody might afford it.

Bambu Lab understood the value considerations and launched two extra 3D printers, P1S and his “stripped brother,” P1P. Engineers eliminated all the things pointless, together with the Bambu 3D printer partitions, leaving solely the extruder and kinematics. These machines boast good pace and high quality for 700 euros ($760), which is inexpensive to almost everybody.

Introducing these three Bambu printer fashions with the AMS system made Bambu Lab machines very standard amongst 3D printing fanatics. Nevertheless, Bambu Lab nonetheless couldn’t compete with giants like Anycubic and Creality, whose primary 3D printers have been $200 to $250, though their print high quality was decrease.

Bambu A1 Mini

All of it modified within the fall of 2023 when Bambu Lab introduced its smallest and most inexpensive A1 mini, initially priced at $299 with out or $459 with the AMS system. Lately, the Bambu A1 mini worth was decreased by $50, which makes it essentially the most inexpensive Bambu 3D printer! So, right now, you may start your unbelievable Bambu Lab 3D printing adventures at simply $249, having fun with the spectacular print high quality and complete pleasure.

Within the Bambu A1 mini, the corporate deserted CoreXY kinematics in favor of a railwayman. This helped cut back the ultimate 3D printer price with out compromising the print high quality. In keeping with Bambu Lab, its A1 mini prints simply nearly as good as its older “brother,” Bambu Lab A1, whereas its AMS system is quieter, and the design is solely gorgeous.

Regardless of its small measurement, the A1 mini boasts the most recent applied sciences in 3D printing, making it probably the most revolutionary 3D printers within the hobbyist market. The Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D printer has an opportunity to grow to be the world’s hottest desktop 3D printer for residence use. Due to this fact, the Engineering Division at Gambody couldn’t cross by the A1 mini with out appreciating all its options and sharing its unboxing, assessment, and testing outcomes with our readers.

Learn additionally: Ideas for Rising Your 3D Printer Pace

A1 Mini Unboxing and Configuration

Though the Bambu Lab A1 mini (the essential model with out the AMS system) appears small, it is available in a big field measuring 380 x 430 x 450 mm (14.9″ x 16.9″ x 17.7″) and weighing about 12 kg (over 26 lbs). The machine with the AMS system shall be bigger.

The mini Bambu Lab A1 arrives assembled. It’s essential to unbox it, and it is able to run. I take into account this an enormous bonus! In case you are new to 3D printing, the producer leaves you no room for error and takes care of all of the A1 mini meeting work.

As you open the field, you first see a craft cardboard cowl with the Bambu Lab emblem. Inside, you’ll find a field with 3D printer equipment, together with a number of branded meeting instruments, lubricant, bagged screws with tags, a blade, and a number of other plastic components. The package contains no further nozzles or filament tongs, so in case you want these objects, you must organize them alongside along with your Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D printer.

Take away the protecting cardboard, and your A1 mini is able to be taken out of the field. Oh sure, it’s very heavy regardless of its small measurement! It appears to be like virtually completed. Moreover the 3D printer, you’ll discover directions and a small spool of Bambu Lab white filament.

A record of all the things you’ll discover contained in the field with the Bambu 3D printer:

• Filament holder;
• Filament cleaner;
• Bowden tube;
• Filament pattern;
• PEI plate;
• Directions;
• Field with instruments.

The Bambu Lab A1 printhead is wrapped in a cardboard field and bolted to the Z and X-axis with particular technical fasteners, which have to be eliminated and changed with the filament holder. The mattress is secured alongside the Y-axis with zip ties, which should even be eliminated.

If you assemble the Bambu A1 mini, set up a nozzle cleaner on the finish of the Y-axis (it’s the primary time I’ve seen such a particular machine). All that continues to be is to attach the Bambu mini to your community and press the ability button.

Learn additionally: Ideas for Cleansing 3D Printer Nozzles at Dwelling

Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D Printer: First Impressions

The Bambu 3D printer appears to be like merely unbelievable proper out of the field. The mix of high-quality mild grey plastic with anodized aluminum evokes solely constructive feelings, and the eye of Bambu Lab to element is mesmerizing.

The corporate provides a company emblem on virtually all of its elements, ranging from the PEI plate and ending with branded instruments. The producer’s perspective to varied little particulars, such because the fixing paste on every screw, additionally deserves consideration. You possibly can’t assist however return to your childhood recollections once you simply purchased a brand new LEGO set.

A1 Mini Bambu Options

Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the A1 mini 3D printer options supplied by Bambu Lab.

1. Print Space

If you take a look at the mini Bambu 3D printer, the very first thing that involves thoughts is that the Bambu A1 mini has the identical print space as its competitor, Prusa Mini: 180 x 180 x 180 mm (7.08″ x 7.08″ x 7.08″).

You might need heard that such a small print space is not sufficient for full-scale 3D printing. I’ve to say straight away that our expertise proves this falsehood. The truth is, the Bambu Lab A1 mini will simply match 70% to 80% of the mannequin elements. Moreover, when Gambody moderates a 3D printing mannequin, our engineers do their finest to divide the mannequin into the elements that slot in the precise dimensions of 180 x 180 x 180 mm (7.08″ x 7.08″ x 7.08″). The exceptions are large initiatives with a big scale, the place some elements might not match because of their measurement.

Don’t get discouraged by the Bambu A1 mini print space. To be trustworthy, I’m impressed by such small 3D printers. When each inch issues in a small condominium in fashionable megapolises, the A1 mini 3D printer can simply match on any desk.

2. Printhead

The Bambu 3D printer comes with a direct extruder with a pre-installed AMS lite. In different phrases, you may order Bambu Lab A1 mini with out the AMS system and buy it later. The nozzle has already been tailored for AMS. It has 4 inputs for multi-colored filaments.

The A1 mini Bambu nozzle design could be very uncommon and enticing. Engineers moved the cooling fan from the entrance to the again and positioned a plastic filament indicator on the entrance, which is tremendous handy! As well as, the A1 mini Bambu 3D printer has quick-release nozzles which can be simple to vary. The nozzle diameter included with the A1 mini is 0.4 mm, however you may also buy a nozzle of a special diameter (0.2 mm or 0.1 mm) and substitute it.

The nozzle can warmth as much as 300 °F, which permits Bambu Lab’s new printer to print PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, and related filaments.

Learn additionally: How you can Change Nozzle on 3D Printer from 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm

3. Heated Mattress

The Bambu A1 mini has a well-recognized PEI plate, which permits 3D printing with out adhesives. The mattress has a model emblem and its personal title (Bambu Lab provides a number of completely different plates on their web site).

As well as, the heated mattress options an revolutionary system for cleansing plastics and calibrating itself. We’ve got already seen one thing related on the Anycubic Kobra 2 3D printer. Nevertheless, Bambu Lab engineers went additional and used a silicone brush as an alternative of a silicone disk; this mechanism cleans the nozzle even higher and calibrates it. The mattress’s most heating temperature is 80 °F (26.67 °C).

4. Bambu Mini Kinematics

A1 mini options CoreXZ kinematics, whereas the X-axis has solely one-side help, like in Prusa MINI. Such a construction reduces the 3D printer price, but it surely additionally will increase the meeting necessities from an engineering perspective.

In keeping with Bambu Lab, the Bambu mini can print at as much as 500 mm/sec. It sounds so superior! The A1 mini 3D printer strikes alongside its axes on high-precision rail guides to make sure correct positioning and high-quality outcomes. The elevated machine weight eliminates pointless vibrations. At first look, Bambu Lab’s new printer is of top of the range with nothing free.

5. Interface

Though the Bambu A1 mini has a typical SD card port, the producer pays nice consideration to the net interface. I’ve by no means taken a card out of this 3D printer. Every little thing is adjusted over the community, and it is rather comfy.

Bambu mini has a default Wi-Fi module. As well as, the A1 mini 3D printer has a cellular utility to your smartphone, which helps you to monitor the 3D printing course of by means of the telephone digital camera. You possibly can even management your Bambu mini by way of your telephone! You bought it proper, this is unbelievable!

6. Slicer

If you order Bambu A1 mini, you are totally immersed in Bambu Lab’s unbelievable infrastructure and philosophy. You obtain a high-quality 3D printer, plastics, and a slicer with optimum settings particularly to your machine. I believe this is a wonderful answer!

Do you bear in mind how effectively Cura is tailored particularly for Ultimaker 3D printers and Prusa Slicer is ideal for Prusa 3D printers? We see the identical factor with Bambu Studio as the Bambu Lab {hardware} and software program go hand in hand. Due to this fact, if we provide any slicer suggestions, they are going to be minimal. Moreover, the Bambu slicer can be utilized with different 3D printers, and we’ll positively check it.

Learn additionally: Free 3D Printing Software program

A1 Mini 3D Printer Launch and Calibration

When you assemble and begin your Bambu 3D printer, it can make a humorous sound that jogs my memory of a Japanese retro online game melody. Instantly after this, Bambu 1A mini requires you to attach it to the community after which requests you to replace its firmware to the most recent model.

The following step is to calibrate your Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D printer, which provides computerized calibration of its nozzle peak above the mattress, the mattress itself, and the jerk and acceleration speeds. The Bambu A1 mini calibration takes about 5 minutes which is longer than it takes different 3D printers. Nonetheless, watching how the Bambu Lab printer cleans its nozzle a number of instances and strikes at nice pace is a pleasure. It’s very good and vital that the corporate devoted a lot time to the calibration course of. You, as a person, don’t have anything to do however safely observe the entire course of.

The plastic cleansing system can also be very spectacular. The Bambu 3D printer strikes alongside the X-axis to the furthest level on the left and extrudes the filament right into a particular basket. Then a particular spatula removes this plastic.

The A1 mini comes with a pre-installed flash drive that accommodates a number of testing information you may 3D print. The Bambu Lab printer’s interface is designed to point out you a preview of all the things you print. Are you able to think about this cool function obtainable in a $250 3D printer? The very first thing you’ll discover is the well-known #3DBenchy check. You’ll be amazed at how briskly the Bambu Lab A1 mini prints this boat (an unbelievable quarter-hour!), and I’m happy with the standard. The primary layer is laid out evenly and adheres effectively.

Amongst different helpful 3D printing gadget fashions, the flash drive additionally provides a 3D printing file of a deal with for the blade that comes along with your Bambu 3D printer. 3D print this deal with, and you should have a handy branded scraper for eradicating the 3D printed elements!

Bambu Lab Cellular and Desktop Apps

Hobbyists who select a Bambu printer for his or her residence initiatives ought to take into account the corporate’s cellular and desktop apps, Bambu Helpful and Bambu Studio.

Bambu Helpful

Bambu Lab printers are very carefully related to smartphones and computer systems. Actually, as quickly as you activate Bambu Lab A1, this mini machine requests to be related to the Wi-Fi community. Then, you are requested to scan the QR code from the cellular utility, including the Bambu A1 mini to your account.

The corporate launched an assistant utility referred to as Bambu Helpful (Whats up, Mr. Helpful!), which helps you monitor all primary processes and management your 3D printer. You are able to do this from anyplace on this planet so long as the Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D printer is related to your community.

The Bambu Helpful app is split into 3 sections and has a social element:

• The primary part is devoted to the interior free platform the place anybody can add their 3D printing information, with or with out AMS system help. There are not very many fashions on this platform but, however you’ll find some attention-grabbing initiatives to 3D print. The fashions are divided into two classes: technical (initiatives that complement your Bambu 3D printer, similar to a plastic bin or a key holder) and toy.

• The second part is devoted particularly to your connection to A1 mini. Right here you can see the primary configurations, such because the nozzle or mattress temperature and print pace. You may as well entry your Bambu Lab printer management menu. On the prime of the display screen, there is an area for displaying pictures out of your digital camera, which has lights for simpler monitoring of the 3D printing course of even at evening (you may flip off the backlight and shut the digital camera). It’s unbelievable as you may at all times examine if all the things is okay, pace up or decelerate the printing, transfer the printhead, and so forth. When A1 mini finishes printing, you’ll obtain a notification in your smartphone app. Even this one great function makes you need to order a Bambu Lab 3D printer directly!

• The third part is social. Right here, you’ll find your profile picture, subscribers, and the fashions you uploaded. You may as well entry the historical past of your 3D printing on A1 mini Bambu, the filament used, and the success or failure of the prints. Additionally, you may see all of your requests to the Buyer Assist Heart and their course of. Bambu Lab awards you with factors, which enhance your stage with each job you full, similar to loading your 3D printing information, and so forth.

Bambu Studio

Bambu Lab releases its 3D printers with their personal slicer, Bambu Studio. Many customers have already referred to as it the most effective slicer available on the market. Let’s see if they’ve a degree!

Bambu Studio has an eye-pleasing inexperienced interface with a chilled impact. This interface jogs my memory of Prusa Slicer, which, as we’ll quickly discover out, is constructed utilizing the identical engine. I take into account this a superb factor as a result of Prusa Slicer has lately developed a extra intelligible G-code and is extra handy to make use of than Ultimaker Cura.

Bambu Lab slicer works with the corporate’s branded 3D printers, similar to A1 mini, and in addition helps third-party producers, which is positively an enormous plus. As well as, you may add and configure your personal printer.

Bambu Studio interface has a number of menu settings, together with Put together, Preview, System, Mission, and Calibration. Let’s take a fast take a look at every one.

• Put together accommodates the essential printing settings for wall thickness, layer peak, pace, helps, and filament-dedicated settings (colour, sort, printing temperature). Bambu Lab engineers have already adjusted all these parameters to your Bambu 3D printer, which is improbable as a result of they work nice! There are even a number of layer peak presets. As for third-party 3D printers, Gambody will present our 3D printing suggestions quickly. Please comply with the updates on gambody.com.

• Preview reveals how the mannequin shall be 3D printed, together with its filling, seam location, help placement, and way more. The 3D printing information are despatched over the community on to Bambu Lab A1 mini. I by no means had to make use of a flash drive. Though we’ve seen this earlier than, Bambu Lab made this course of actually handy and intuitive.

• System helps you handle and monitor your A1 mini 3D printer. The largest a part of the display screen reveals your digital camera picture, and to the appropriate, you may see the 3D printer management menu. Right here you may modify the printing temperature barely or ship the Bambu mini to its residence place. The underside portion of the display screen reveals the 3D printing progress, printing time, and an choice to pause or cease the print. On the left, you may view the 3D printing information in your card and replace your Bambu Lab printer to the most recent firmware model.
• Mission lets you handle your mission. We’ll return to this part later in our Bambu Lab A1 mini assessment.
• Calibration is about A1 mini calibration. This part offers details about calibration and allows you to calibrate your Bambu Lab 3D printer.

General, the Bambu Studio slicer is price your consideration. It appears to be like nice and useful. The one query you might need in case you are used to Ultimaker Cura is the place to search for the temperature settings. It would sound uncommon, however Bambu Studio provides these settings below Filament as an alternative of 3D printer settings.

Maker World

As talked about above, Bambu Lab has its personal platform on which all customers can submit the 3D printing fashions they’ve modeled. All of the fashions are 100% free, however the firm rewards customers with cash for every add they make, and you should utilize these cash as a reduction when buying some merchandise on Bambu Lab web site.

Maker World helps STL and 3mf information. Please observe that Bambu Studio has its personal 3mf format, and anybody wishing to open a pre-colored file should save the coloured mission in Bambu Studio, which is inconvenient. I hope that this situation shall be mounted within the future and that 3mf will grow to be versatile, changing STL information.

It’s simple to decide on filament colours to your fashions utilizing Bambu Studio. The slicer provides sensible fill, thus, all you want is the right polygonal mesh of your 3D mannequin. Gambody.com provides 3D printing initiatives largely with the right polygonal mesh, particularly for spaceships, automobiles, and robots. Nevertheless, in case you plan to 3D print fashions from Gambody 3D printing market with multi-colored filament, we advocate you seek the advice of our buyer help concerning the compatibility of a specific 3D mannequin with multi-color printing and filling in Bambu Studio.

Learn additionally: 7 Strategies of How you can 3D Print 2 Colors with 1 Extruder

Utilizing Maker World by Bambu Lab, you may add your 3D mannequin and add its description, pictures, and printing settings (non-compulsory). This fashion, you may earn awards.

After this, your 3D mannequin is printed on the platform and anybody can obtain it. We uploaded an unique free Gambody-branded keychain to Maker World as a check. Utilizing your Bambu 3D printer and the AMS system, you can provide your keys a brand new feel and look a little bit nearer to us!

Bambu Lab A1 Mini Testing

We selected one of many latest fashions on Gambody 3D printing market, the F-14 Tomcat mannequin from the cult film TOPGUN, to check the Bambu A1 mini. David Richardson designed this iconic plane mannequin. Though he’s new to our market, David thought-about all our suggestions on the right way to add 3D printing fashions on Gambody and earn cash whereas creating this lovely mannequin.

The F-14 Tomcat is of medium complexity, boasting components similar to a skinny cabin body, a skinny empennage, and a fragile chassis. It’s good for testing A1 mini. As already talked about, do not underestimate the dimensions of the Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D printer mattress, as most 3D printing fashions on gambody.com are designed particularly for these dimensions.

We positioned a number of F-14 elements on the A1 mini Bambu mattress directly and didn’t use the brim in any respect. We blocked some helps and added extra help buildings in some areas to strengthen them. We selected the minimal 5% infill and three partitions.

The ultimate consequence impressed us so much.

Bambu Lab A1 print high quality is unbelievable, contemplating the superfast speeds. Bambu 3D printer could be very quiet, even in case you don’t allow Silent Mode, which reduces the noise and pace by 50%. The elements keep on the mattress even with out the brim. We didn’t modify the default settings. The slicer slows down whereas printing the small elements, growing the drying time of every layer. It does the identical when engaged on the steep overhang angles. There aren’t any webs from retracts in any respect. Bambu Lab’s most inexpensive 3D printer is improbable!

As soon as all F-14 elements are 3D printed, it’s time to assemble them with glue and paint with silver paint. You may as well print with silver plastic and go away that stunning grey colour!

Bambu Lab Mini Remaining Rating

The Bambu Lab A1 Mini combines many nice options, similar to a beautiful design, excessive print pace, wonderful print high quality, and an inexpensive worth. It is usually a part of an unique ecosystem constructed round this 3D printer by Bambu Lab, which contains branded filaments, a slicer, a platform for importing 3D fashions, a cellular and desktop utility, and way more.

You should use Bambu A1 mini as your fundamental 3D printer for nice 3D printing adventures, putting it in your desk (the machine requires little house, can print most fashions from gambody.com, and gained’t disturb you with its noise). You may as well use the A1 mini 3D printer as an important assistant to a bigger Bambu Lab A1 or X1. There can by no means be too many 3D printers, can’t it? In case you are uncertain in case you want the AMS system, you may order the A1 mini with out it and buy AMS later.

This Bambu Lab 3D printer has no drawbacks. Quite the opposite, it’s a number of steps forward of its opponents. The one factor I might spotlight is that it’s inconceivable to decelerate A1 mini by greater than 50% throughout 3D printing, and I could be completely happy to return to the proportion setting supplied by different producers prior to now (at the least throughout the net interface).

I’m very impressed with the digital camera in a $250 A1 mini 3D printer! All the nice options applied by engineers on this Bambu printer are improbable for the value. The A1 mini requires no meeting. It really works straight out of the field. Common software program updates from Bambu Lab and the addition of new options will make you cheerful.

In my humble opinion, the Bambu Lab A1 mini is the cutest 3D printer in the complete line. I prefer it essentially the most for its compact measurement and design. I can simply place it, for instance, on the armrest of my sofa.

Creator: The Chair of the Engineering Division (Gambody)

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