Printer, Bambu Lab X1C

Build Volume 256*256*256mm

Print Surface               Magnetic removable spring-steel sheet, PEI coated and textured

Filament Material PLA, ABS, PC, PETG, PLA-CF, PETG-CF

Filament Diameter        1.75 mm 

Nozzle Diameter            0.4 mm default, 0.2 and 0.6 available with special permissions

Connectivity                   LAN

Software & Firmware Bambu Studio

Cost                                Membership + Materials Cost

Authorization procedure

A self-training guide is available, however you must ensure you meet one of these two prerequisites before staring training:

• Existing authorized user of MakeIt Labs FDM printers (self-guided training for Flashforge printers)

• Have spoken with the RM  in person and demonstrated existing experience using FDM printers outsde of MakeIt Labs

If you have met one of these two criteria, you can follow the Bambu Lab X1C Self-Guided Training to get authorized

Filament usage and costs

The X1C printers are capable of using Bambu Labs RFID'd filament spools to ensure valid base material settings are applied automatically.  As outlined in the training guide, this currently allows two options:

• You may purchase and use your own Bambu Labs RFID'd filament spool. This is the best option if you want an unusual color or material.

• You may use MakeIt Labs pre-purchased materials and pay for what you use. Available options typically include black and other base colors of common materials.

3rd party filaments will eventually be allowed in the X1C printers but at present (October 2024) are not as we focus on ensuring the most trouble-free operation possible. If you have  a specific filament you want to use which is not available on an RFID spool speak with the RM.

Filaments pre-purchased by MakeIt Labs will be kept in the dry boxes next to or below the printers. The Bambu Spools are only for use in the X1C printers, there is no pre--purchased material option for the Flashforge printers at present. MakeIt Labs will be purchasing refills for spools to minimize costs, with the goal of making costs equal to or less than that of other quality filaments such as Hatchbox or Overture.

Payment will be handled via your MakeIt Labs billing account, and done automatically within a few days of printing. As outlined in the training guide, the slicer shows the cost of printing with the material(s), however Pro members will receive a 10% discount off this price. It is not currently possible to easily reflect Pro/Hobbyist pricing in the software itself. Please note that enabling automated payment for materials used requires files follow proper naming conventions, as outlined in the Training and in the Operations Guide below. Failure to follow the naming guide will result in loss of authorization.

Operations Guide

This guide is a reminder of the procedures to operate the printer as outlined in the Training Guide. It is *not* a replacement for the guide or for ongoing tutorials and FAQs, and reading this does not mean you are ready to start using the printers.

Prepare the file

• Use Bambu Studio, with the proper Printer and Plate settings, to slice your file

• REQUIRED - Save the project prefixed with your MakeIt Labs Email account name (using "_" instead of "." and without @makeitlabs.com. Eg "joe_user" instead of "joe.user"). If you are NOT using MakeIt Labs-provided filament, add "_P" or "_p" to the project name to flag it as personal material. 

  • eg "joe_user_myproject" (MakeIt Labs filament) or "joe_user_myproject_p" (Personal filament)

  • If you forget to do this before printing, email 3dprinting@makeitlabs.com with the project name and time printed.

  • Note that we are still evaluating the payment system option, and may have an alternative in the future.

Prepare the printer

• The AMS should be empty. If it is not, unload the filament from the AMS and return it to a drybox

• If using MakeIt Labs filament:

  • Pull the filament(s) you need from the appropriate Drybox and load the AMS as outlined in the Training Guide.

• Verify on the touchscreen that the filament you loaded is correctly indicated (One of our Green spools is known to be flaky, for example)

  • If not, use the  Pencil (Edit) icon on the slot to set the manufacturer, type, and color. Double-check the settings.

• Check the Build plate is clean, undamaged, and free of any purge or calibration lines from a previous job. 

  • If it is not clean, or there are still purge or calibration lines, please clean the build plate before printing. 

  • If there is damage to the build plate or machine, alert the RM via Slack or Email.

• Check the build Plate is properly positioned, as outlined in the Training Guide (big tab to the front, corners properly pressed against  raised corners in back)

  • It is VERY easy to have build plate "slightly off" due to the strong magnets. Double-check the placement.

• Check that the Poop Chute is empty and not blocked. If it is full, please empty it in the trash as the filament type is unknown.

Print the file

• Select print the Plate you wish to print, and when it is sliced click "Print Plate"

• In the Print dialog:

  • Make sure the correct printer (Left vs Right) is selected

  • Check that the AMS filaments are showing what you have loaded and map the way you want to your model

    • For example,  if your model is blue but green, red and yellow are loaded, select which you want to use

• Uncheck "Flow Calibration" if it is checked. Leave "Bed Leveling" checked.

Observe first few layers of print

• Initialization with Bed Levelling enabled takes 4-5 minutes. Listen for any unexpected noises.

• First layer should be observed for adhesion, and to respond to any AI check failure from the software

• After the second layer starts printing you may leave the print job, though we recommend checking on it every hour or so.

Print Completion

• When print bed is below 40C, gently lift the front, then lift from the sides, minimizing finger contact with the build plate surface.

• To remove the print, gently flex the plate and the print should loosen and be easily removed. 

  • If the print will not come loose easily, continue tyo gently flex in different directions, and use a PLASTIC scraper if necessary to remove the print

Clean the Build Plate

• After removing the print, ensure all Purge and Calibration lines are also removed

• If glue stick was used on the plate, and you are not printing anything else, use warm water and a paper towel to clean off the remaining glue.

• If any fingerprints remain on the plate, wipe them off with a microfiber. 

  • If they are still present, use one drop of Dawn dish soap on a wet paper towel to clean them off.

• Rinse off and dry the build plate, if any water was needed for cleaning.

• Replace the build plate in the proper position (remember, it is verrrry easy to misalign slightly due to the strong magnets)

Unload the Filament

• On the Touchscreen, unload filament from the AMS as outlined in the Training Guide

  • For materials in the AMS, you should just need to pull back onto the spool.

  • For materials loaded via external spool holder, follow the full unloading procedure

• Place filament back in the Drybox(es) and ensure the lid is sealed

• If you used only Regular PLA (Regular, Silk,  etc, NOT fiber-reinforced) please empty the poop chute into the "Recycle" bin. 

  • If you used any other materials please empty it into the trash.

Usage Guidelines

Reasonable Use Guidelines

• Do not print on both printers at the same time

• Be respectful of availability - do not chain together days of prints without giving others a suitable chance for access. 

  • For large projects reach out to RM and we can attempt to find the best way to balance availability

Materials

• Do not load non-Bambu, non-RFID filaments into the printer without RM approval and assistance

  • Bambu 95A TPU and SainSmart 95A TPU are examples of materials that will not work in th AMS but do have a method for loading and using via the external spool holder, but require RM approval and specialized instructions for loading/unloading.

• Some materials MUSt be pre-dried before use. Drybox filaments have been pre-dried, but may benefit from additional drying in special cases.

• Elmer's Purple Glue Stick is the only bed adhesive approved for use, even if not normally needed. Do not use other odd materials, due to cleaning issues.

• Colors/Materials in MakeIt Labs stock will be documented here on the Wiki eventually.

  • Requests for new/special materials to stock should be discussed on the #resource-3dprinting Slack channel