Just for the sake of discussion – does anyone have opinions about what your ideal 3D printer is? I’m mostly thinking FDM right now, so resin out of scope.
I like the Bambu Lab X2D and Snapmaker U1 as contenders (both ~$899). The X2D has dual nozzles so it can do two filament type prints with less filament waste (and up to four filament types easily), while the Snapmaker U1 does tool changing so can do up to four filament printers with less waste for all.
Bambu Lab is more controversial with its business practices and less open ecosystem, but it seems to have a few more features like heated build chamber, HEPA/charcoal air filtration and an enclosed area above the printer holding the filament. The U1 has an optional cover above the printer for $150 that lets the printer chamber passively heat up and adds an air filtration system.
Is a heated build chamber needed? With most PLA filaments it’s not needed and a closed chamber can affect the print. Not sure if we have enough ventilation in the space to print ABS and other filament types…? Maybe! I’ve used Creality and Ultimaker in the past. I’ve heard great things about Bambu though, too!
I imagine most people will use filaments that don’t require a heated chamber or enclosure (PLA, PETG, TPU). Other materials (like PA-CF, carbon fiber reinforced nylon) do require a heated chamber and filtration within the enclosure like the X2D/U1 have is important but can enable more use cases (brackets under the hot oily hood of a car, drone parts that take repeated impacts, gears that would wear out, etc.).
Yep! I’m just wondering if the filament types requiring a heated chamber also would need more ventilation for the space than we have currently. Just wanting it to be as safe as we can make it!