3D Print Farm After Hours - Ep 1 - How many Bambu Labs would replace our current fleet?

The Bambu Lab X1 is an amazing machine that is changing the 3D printing landscape for the better with increased printing speed, great reliability, and superior user experience. However, would it be fair to compare them to industrial 3D printing solutions?

In this video, we break down how many X1's we would need to completely upgrade our fleet using theoretical maximum production rates, with some comparison to our real-life empirical data as well.

We suspect this video might be a bit controversial, so we look forward to hearing thoughts and opinions in the comments.

00:00 Introduction
01:00 Defining 3D Print Farm
01:20 Compare to Industrial 3D Printing?
01:55 Bambu X1 Production Benchmark
02:56 Vs FDM Print Farm
03:57 Vs MJF (Multi-Jet Fusion)
05:22 Considering Workflow & Quality

[SaskD]

Wow that is an impressive facility! Also what an awesome video getting to see some of the inside of companies and people who are really making it with 3D printing

[IndianaDiy]

Interesting video. I wonder if it would still be the same with the new Slice Engineering Mako in the X1. But then again Slice makes a lot of different hotends they may all ready being using those in those FDM machines.

[carlosnvarro]

It quite clear that the Hp is a production monster, and as an SLS user I love MJF, however is not fair and true to compare that in one hour the HP produces 5000cm3 of parts while the fdm/bambu produces 57cm3/h, as the HP is only fusing around a 12% of the build chamber, what will give 600gr of fused powder per hour, making the real comparison at around 10 machines.

There are also other factors to take into account that can be even less beneficial to this comparison, such as that in fdm parts are not solid, what implies also that you will not need as much material and therefore parts are faster to procuces that if they were solid as in your comparison, and also that parts must get cooled for 12-24h.

Even in that case you are comparing a 500k$ system with a 2k$ and only telling you need 88 of that to make it equal... Again not very wise

[Defyant]

Trying to swap your HP machines for x1c's is ludicrous comparison... you want say it but i can :) But that old fleet of "upgraded" and "klippered" filament machines is old fleet. 130 of them you say. A delta of 23 per machine x 130 i would think is huge when it comes to output.... Unless! demand is not there? I love your farm your business and the time you take to talk and show us.

[ErikBlack]

Thank you for this video! Helps a ton to understand just how powerful your HP machines are

[OldManJimmy]

I think it's hard for people to get their head around the difference between an industrial FDM machines and a consumer level machines.

[glennstar]

So I understand not replacing your hp machines as they are different and not a fair comparison. However, comparing the FDM printers to the Bambu labs x1, not only do you get the faster build time but by reducing your fleet by 30 would decrease your total power usage and your employee overhead because you would have 30 less printers to maintain. Not saying you should scrap all of you printers lol. Just saying if you are looking to expand your FDM machines it might make sense to look at getting into their ecosystem. Not to mention the lack of upgrades you would have to do to them right out of the box to match (or get better) results. Love the videos and thanks for sharing!

[edwardmcrichy]

I think people would be interested to see what you guys have done to the creator Pros you use. Upgrades, changes from stock, any timing you do etc.

[olafmarzocchi]

Which FDM machines do you use?
Bambu is not an option even simply because of the lack of Klipper which gives quite boosts for certain use cases (not talking speed but customisability)

[camaycama]

What printers are behind you? They look like former Qidi

[slawomirgontarek]

How do you manage energy for such a 3D printer farm?
What is the energy demand for such a farm?

[slawomirgontarek]

Do you also receive orders from Europe?

[NotseenNinja]

Why do the MJF printers not replace the FDM printers? Is it the materials that can be used and the cost of those materials that make it more cost effective to run the FDM printers for certain clients?

[floodingchen]

I wonder if infill should be considered when you are comparing X1 with MJF. Since usually you print with sparse infill with FDM while you may need to use lattice structures to do sparse infill for MJF.

[pHuzin]

Totally distracted by the terrible green screen... Is this an 80's TV ad?