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.

Orientation

No formal training is required, but a short walkthrough from a member is: how to select the right build plate, sync the AMS, clean the plate with isopropyl alcohol, and stay for the first two layers. After that you’re on your own. Report jams or failed prints on Discord so the next person doesn’t inherit them.