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Week 05 - 3D Scanning and Printing

Group Assignment

  • Test the design rules for your 3D printer

Test 1: Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Capability Test

Machine Setup

Location: Protolab
Machine: Bambu Lab X1-Carbon (Enclosed)
Filament: PLA White
Nozzle Temp: 220°C
Chamber Temp: 39°C
Bed Temp: 55°C – Textured

Bambu Lab X1-Carbon with AMS unit on top

File Transfer

Lab rule: use the mini-SD card for file transfer. Insert it, choose your file from the touchscreen, and follow the prompts. When selecting filament, choose Public filament unless you have your own — some spools are reserved for ongoing projects or purchased individually.

Filament Runout — What Happens?

Mid-print, the filament ran out. The AMS handled this gracefully: the print paused, the touchscreen flagged the problem, and walked through a refill process step by step.

AMS touchscreen showing four filament slots A1–A4 with material types and 28% remaining indicator

It took two attempts. The first failed because I didn't pre-feed the new filament generously enough — the machine pulls more than you'd expect before it can take over. Lesson: don't assume, feed generously. The machine will prompt you to correct errors before proceeding. I could have swapped to a different color but did a like-for-like PLA swap.

Completed capability test print showing infill patterns, surface textures, bridging test, overhang arc, and benchy boat

Infill Patterns

A grid of infill types — a useful visual reference for what each pattern looks like in practice, not just in the slicer. No printing errors across any of them.

Surface Textures

Good variety with clearly distinct finishes. The textured bed setting gave a consistent bottom surface throughout.

Bridging Test

Bridges up to 40mm were flawless — no sag, clean underside. A solid baseline for designing spans without supports.

Overhang Test

Layers stayed clean up to 45°. Beyond that the nozzle began bumping into the column. With a wider, less flexible base profile this could likely extend to 80° — worth testing if a design demands it.

Benchy

Seaworthy. No visible flaws or printing errors.

Conclusion

This is a Bambu Lab test on a Bambu machine with a well-understood filament — an optimistic baseline. Repeat this test with any new filament before pushing the limits of a geometric design. What you learn here is your floor, not your ceiling.