6. 3D Scanning and Printing¶

3D Printer¶

The Bambu Lab A1 is a compact, affordable 3D printer designed by Bambu Lab, a company recognized for pushing boundaries in 3D printing innovation. Ideal for beginners, hobbyists, and home users, it combines ease of use with impressive functionality. Below are its key specifications and features:

1. Printing Technology¶

• FDM/FFF (Fused Deposition Modeling): Melts plastic filament and builds objects layer by layer.
• Multi-Color Printing Support: Enables multi-color prints with the AMS Lite filament-switching system.

2. Print Area¶

• Build Volume: 256 × 256 × 256 mm (ample for most home projects).
• Heated Bed: Enhances adhesion and reduces warping.

3. Speed and Precision¶

• Print Speed: Up to 500 mm/s for rapid printing.
• Print Accuracy: High precision via quality stepper motors and advanced positioning.

4. Printing Materials¶

• Supported Filaments: PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, and more.
• Automatic Calibration: Streamlines setup for consistent, high-quality results.

5. Automatic Material Switching System (AMS Lite)¶

• Multi-Color Printing: Supports up to 4 colors in a single print.
• Automatic Spool Switching: Simplifies multi-material or multi-color workflows.

6. Control and Connectivity¶

• Touchscreen: Intuitive interface for easy operation.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB.
• Mobile App: Monitor and manage prints from your smartphone.

7. Safety and Convenience¶

• Protective Enclosure: Lowers noise and boosts safety.
• Air Purifier Filter: Minimizes fumes from materials like ABS.

Bambu Lab A1 Calibration¶

Follow these steps to calibrate your Bambu Lab A1:

1. Power On: Turn on the printer and connect it to Wi-Fi.
2. Access Menu: Navigate to the touchscreen menu (typically “Settings”).
3. Select Calibration: Choose “Calibration” from the list.
4. Start Process: Initiate calibration — it auto-levels the bed, adjusts Z-offset, and tests resonances.
5. Wait: Allow it to complete (5-10 minutes) without interference.

Done! Your A1 is now calibrated and ready to print.

Material¶

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) by JAMG HE is a strong, versatile 3D printing filament loved by hobbyists and pros alike.

• Specifications:
• Strength: High impact resistance and flexibility.
• Print Temperature: 230–250 °C.
• Bed Temperature: 70–80 °C.

• Adhesion: Good, works well with glue or PEI surfaces.

• Advantages:

• Easy to print (simpler than ABS, tougher than PLA).
• Moisture and chemical resistant.

• Glossy finish.

• Tip: Use a print speed of 40–60 mm/s with cooling enabled for optimal results on your Bambu Lab A1.

TEST¶

Printing a Test Cube with PETG (JAMG HE)¶

You’ve printed a test cube! Here’s what to check:

• Settings Used:
• Nozzle: 230–250 °C.
• Bed: 70–80 °C.

• Speed: 40–60 mm/s (with cooling).

• Inspection:

• Dimensions: Measure the cube (should be 20x20x20 mm if it’s a standard test).
• Surface: Look for smoothness and layer adhesion.

• Issues: Warping, stringing, or gaps? Adjust temp or speed if needed.

• Next Steps:

• If it’s spot on, you’re good to go!
• If not, tweak settings in Bambu Studio and try again.

Result¶

3D Printing Overhang and Bridging Test Results¶

Overview¶

The overall print quality is decent, with good layer adhesion and relatively smooth surfaces at lower overhang angles. However, as the overhang angle increases, sagging and deformation become more noticeable. This suggests that cooling settings may need optimization to maintain better structural integrity.

Overhang Performance¶

• Lower angles (2° - 10°): Printed well with minimal defects.
• Medium angles (12° - 16°): Some slight sagging observed.
• Higher angles (18° - 20°): More pronounced deformation, indicating the need for better cooling and slower print speeds.

To improve overhangs, consider: - Increasing cooling fan speed. - Reducing print temperature slightly. - Slowing down print speed for higher angles.

Long Overhang Test¶

In the long overhang tests, bending becomes more visible at higher angles. This indicates: - The print speed may be too high. - Filament is not cooling fast enough before the next layer is deposited.

Recommended Fixes:¶

• Increase cooling fan speed to solidify the filament quicker.
• Lower print temperature to reduce sagging.
• Use supports for extreme overhangs.

Extrusion Consistency¶

Some extrusion inconsistencies were observed, possibly caused by: - Incorrect flow rate settings. - Temperature fluctuations.

To resolve this: - Check extrusion multiplier settings. - Ensure consistent filament feeding. - Verify that the hotend temperature is stable.

Bridging Performance¶

The unsupported overhang test revealed: - Significant stringing and filament drooping. - Weak bridging performance, especially in horizontal sections.

Suggested Improvements:¶

• Lower print temperature to prevent filament sagging.
• Increase cooling fan speed for better bridge formation.
• Fine-tune retraction settings to reduce stringing.

Conclusion¶

These tests provide valuable insights into the printer’s capabilities and areas for improvement. To achieve better print quality, consider: - Adjusting slicer settings for support structures on extreme overhangs. - Reducing print speed for higher accuracy. - Refining cooling parameters for improved overhang stability.

Individual assignment:¶

In my final project – the robot – in order to mount the motor to the body, I had to design a part and print it using a 3D printer.¶

I modeled the 3D design in Fusion 360.

You can see my 3D model being printed by the 3D printer in this video.

Result¶

The part was printed with high quality. The surface is smooth, even, and free of visible defects, such as blobs or layer shifting. All geometric features — holes, edges, and cutouts — are well-defined and maintain their intended shape. The layer lines are consistent and clean, indicating proper printer calibration and optimal print settings.

This level of precision and flatness ensures a secure motor fit and ease of assembly in the final construction.

Files for download¶

• angle
• bridging
• free
• overhang