Initially in 2019 I got my glowforge to rekindle my creativity and force me to learn how to use it, and also new tools (Inkscape and Illustrator) to design for laser cutting.
In 2025 I got a Bambu Labs P1S and I am now learning BambuStudio to print designs from others, and again also learning new tools (Fusion and Shapr3D) to create your own designs for 3D printing.
They are complementary and each has a different approach to design: 3D printing is additive while laser cutting is substractive.
I keep looking at things and wanting to combine these. Would that be refered to as zero sum?
I will have to work on the 3d printer later. I had forgotten about a half day dental appt I had today (but it was actually incredible - zero pain, zero anesthesia and a cavity removed and new crown in one appt. (Ok it was because I already had a root canal on that tooth, but Iâm not complaining lol) And tomorrow is out.
Can you give me a couple of bullet points I should look into, I can try to find a few minutes to read up on them and come back with more intelligent questions?
Check out the BambuLab Academy:
https://bambulab.com/en-us/support/academy/7
I found it very informative about my X1C.
I ordered the p2s for Christmas but it is backordered until the 19th of Jan. Looking forward to seeing what I can do with it.
@markevans36301 as you get comfortable with each technology, you will appreciate what it does best for each case. Take the designs and creations from @pubultrastar, they beautifully combine the strenghts of each technology for his masterpieces.
I enjoy 3D printing in that once you finalize your design you send it to the printer and leave it overnight (it is slow) and next morning you have your creation ready. Your designs must consider a bottom heavy base to build up on. As far as I know you cannot 3D print on to anything else except your hot plate, so if your design is complex, you must be creative to separate it in parts that can be printed separetely and joined together as an assembly.
The laser cutting process (cut, score or engrave) is relatively fast on multiple materials and for safety reasons requieres you to constantly monitor your job. With certain materials you can make parts faster than 3D printing, but are generally limited to flat assemblies that require an entirely different design approach.
FWIW, my P2S is supposedly arriving tomorrow, MUCH earlier than expected. I was expecting it to ship on the 19th, but FedEx has it arriving tomorrow after 10am
âŚso maybe check your order status, just in case?
(fingers crossed for you!)
My only concern is isnât bamboo effectively have a lockout on their boards? You must use their slicing software to produce code for their machines?
Bambu Lab printers are not strictly locked to their own slicer, as they can run G-code from third-party software like Cura or PrusaSlicer, though doing so often requires using an SD card or LAN-only mode and lacks native support for the AMS multi-color system.
Most users who want an alternative opt for OrcaSlicer, an open-source fork of the official software that maintains seamless wireless integration and full hardware control while providing advanced calibration tools.
While you arenât forced to use the official âBambu Studio,â the proprietary network protocol means that third-party slicers generally sacrifice the âone-clickâ convenience that makes the ecosystem popular.
Cool cool. I just remember a few years back there was a sudden switch by one of the companies trying to lockout their boards, everyone collectively loosing their minds at them, so there was backoff but had heard bamboo was maybe slipping some of the proprietary stuff back in again.
I havenât had time nor much inclination to play with either of my printers so havenât fully paid much mind to any of it for a while.
For the X1C it says for the software it can use:
Bambu Studio
Support third party slicers which export standard G-code such as Superslicer,
Prusaslicer and Cura, but certain advanced features may not be supported.
Iâve done it at least 30 times if not more. lol
I think I found the problem but Iâm not sure how to fix it. I think this piece of silver filament is stuck under where the filament the sensor was. I might be able to heat it up and remove it, but I need to find my mini heat gun or something, not even sure if thatâs an appropriate tool.
I think Iâm just going to order a new extruder because they are only $45. Then I can work more on this later if I want to, and just use this for spare parts as needed, regardless of that outcome.
Good plan order the one with the hardened gears so you can print more exotic materials if you choose to later. It will last longer even if you donât print engineering materials.
Yeah I got Hardened Steel Extruder Unit.
I got another 0.4 hotend and a couple of other odds and ends too.
Key lesson of 3d printing as a hobby:
âŚalways, always, ALWAYS order a hardened nozzle. Even if you think youâre just gonna do PLA.
Exactly right.
Boo. My order wonât be here for 2 weeks.
Nevermind - they updated the date. Instead of 1-26 now itâs 1-16. Yay!
holy smokes thatâs incredible stuff right there!
