3D printers
Fast, reliable Bambu Lab printers with multi-color capability.
Training required before solo use Demos on Open Hack Night
3D printing is the easiest way to go from an idea to a physical object, and our two Bambu Lab printers make it nearly foolproof. Both have an AMS (automatic material system) that holds four spools, so you can print in multiple colors or switch materials without babysitting the machine. Typical prints take an hour or two; large ones run overnight.
What people make: replacement knobs and clips, phone stands, enclosures for electronics, prototypes of parts they’ll later machine or cast, miniatures, custom organizers, cosplay props, and patterns for the metal casting setup.
Which printer
- X1 Carbon: enclosed and heated, so it handles warp-prone or fume-producing materials like ABS and ASA, plus engineering filaments like carbon-fiber nylon. Use it for anything that needs strength or heat resistance.
- A1: open-frame, quick, and ideal for PLA, PETG, and TPU (flexible) prints.
How it works here
Prints are sliced and sent from Bambu Studio on the shop’s main PC, on the local network only, so the printers stay configured and members’ files stay private. Bring an STL, STEP, or 3MF file on a USB stick or download it at the PC. Shop filament (PLA in a few colors) is provided for reasonable use; bring your own for big jobs or special materials.
Training required
You need a short training before using the printers on your own. It is one session for both printers and covers:
- choosing and preparing the right build plate, and cleaning it with isopropyl alcohol,
- loading filament and syncing the AMS,
- slicing and sending a print from Bambu Studio on the shop PC,
- watching the first two layers, and what to do when a print fails or jams.
Read the 3D printer guide on the wiki before you come.
Trainings are on Thursdays at 5:00 PM, just before Open Hack Night. The fee is $10, or $5 for members; half goes to the Digital Fab zone for filament and parts, half to your trainer. Book a training to pick a date and pay online. Once you are trained you can check it here.
After training, report jams or failed prints on Discord so the next person doesn’t inherit them.