Bambu H2D – a New Personal Manufacturing Machine

Source: ToolGuyd

Article note: - The volume is quite large (325 x 320 x 325), and it isn't outrageously expensive ($1900 or $2200 with AMS). - The integrated laser and printer thing is a dumb trap several 3D printer manufacturers have fallen for over the years. The contamination from the laser makes the printer perform poorly, the work surface requirements are wildly divergent... combining them makes both worse. They should have known better. It's kind of a fun hobbyist hack, but a simple cheap laser cutter is a better use of resources ...and I don't have one at home because they are a stinky menace that I'm not set up to ventilate safely. I'm a little surprised they went for it on liability alone, dumb assess keep poisoning themselves with vinyl in glowforges. - The new AMS2 Pro is the best thing in the announcement, it fixes the eroding inlets and hard to service feed path problems of the earlier model (by adding ceramic collars and excluding some dumb plastic parts), plus it has a really good ventilated active dryer design integrated. - The dual-head design seems pretty good for the common case of switching between two materials. It's slightly unfortunate but a totally reasonable compromise that you can't feed both heads from the same AMS and it eats a bit of width out of the volume. - There seem to be some incremental improvements to the basic formula of their earlier CoreXY designs, the aluminum cage looks more rigid, there's a properly constrained rail on x, and it looks like at least several axes are a real servo which is an interesting development in the "not outrageously expensive" market. - The drag knife is marginally interesting; I have a Silhouette Cameo 4 that has been a lot of fun, and earlier had mediocre results strapping a graphtec blade to my CNC router. I think by using mats compatible with the bed mounting system they should be able to make that acceptable as long as it's cheap. This thing isn't revolutionary, but as a printer it fixes holes in their existing offerings (and as a laser cutter it's a bad idea and they should feel bad).

Bambu Labs H2D Personal Manufacturing Machine

Bambu Labs is launching a new multi-functional “personal manufacturing” machine that goes beyond 3D printing.

The new Bambu H2D is a dual nozzle 3D printer and laser cutter all in one. From some of their marketing images, you could also attach a marker for computer-controlled graphics. It looks like this is only included with the laser combo models.

Described as “a hard core laser machine,” the Bambu H2D can be equipped with a 10W or 40W laser, with the latter being capable of cutting up to 15mm (~0.59″) thick plywood.

The H2D features “laser-proof windows” and they’re also selling an optional air purifier separately.

Bambu says that the new machine features “revolutionary accuracy” with “a motion system that is 10 times more accurate.” This is said to “reduce the hassle of tweaking design and settings” for components that are to be assembled or printed together.

Bambu H2D 3D Printed Assembly with Steel Parts

It also features “enhanced motion accuracy” and “special calibration for select Bambu Labs filaments” that are said to provide for “perfect fits with standard parts like steel shaft every time” with “no more tedious gap adjustments needed.”

In their marketing video, Bambu showed off different typical family members using the H2D to print, cut, or fabricate parts for personal projects, include a bicycle seat.

This was also an example of how the dual extruder printer can work with two materials simultaneously for functional parts or for part support scaffolding.

They then show off a 3D-printed bike helmet and quip that the dad shouldn’t go too fast because they haven’t figured out how to 3D print BandAids yet.

The new AMS (automatic material system) looks to have in filament dryer add-on.

Filament drying, dual nozzles, laser cutting, and more? Bambu says the new machine is “bigger, faster, better,” and that seems like an accurate claim.

I own one of their other machines, and it’s as near a plug-and-play machine as I’ve ever seen. The new model looks to expand upon it, with more filament feeding sensors – 15 instead of just 1 – and even more sophisticated AI checklists and visual monitoring via the built-in camera.

From the spec sheet, it has a live view camera, nozzle camera, birdseye camera, toolhead camera, door sensor, filament runout sensor, tangle sensor, filament odometry that’s supported with the AMS, and power loss recovery.

There’s a lot going on here.

Bambu H2D Industrial Grade Accuracy Claim

Bambu hypes it up, saying the H2D delivers “industrial-grade accuracy.”

Bambu H2D Pricing

Bambu H2D – $1,899
Bambu H2D with AMS Combo – $2,199
Bambu H2D Laser Full Combo with AMS and 10W Laser – $2,799
Bambu H2D Laser Full Combo with AMS and 40W Laser – $3,499

The AMS allows you to load several spools of filament at once, which can then be selected for use via software controls.

See it at Matterhackers

First Impression

It looks to me that Bambu made evolutionary improvements well above and beyond their previous flagship X1C 3D printer.

I’m not sure how I feel about 3D-printed bicycle saddles, but 3D-printed helmets? If they’re recommending you print your own bike helmets, how much attention was given to laser cutter safety outside of the “safety windows” that are found on the H2D Laser Edition models?

I couldn’t find much information about fume extraction or filtration for the laser cutter.

Bambu advertises that the laser modules can work on “wood, rubber, metal sheet, leather, dark acrylic, stone, and more.” A lot of materials – especially plastics – can release very toxic fumes when laser-cut.

They’re hyping this up to be a revolutionary “personal manufacturing hub,” but I have serious concerns about the laser safety.

Bambu machines are not known to be easily repairable. They had a recall not too long ago, and the affected heatbed cable wasn’t user replaceable. The only recourse was to return the entire machine or arrange for replacement of the heatbed and cable by a trained electronics repair technician.

Granted you can’t replace parts of your ink printer yourself, but personal and hobbyist 3D printers have traditionally had accessible hardware.

To their credit, I just checked Bambu’s Wiki and there’s clear and detailed documentation on how to replace certain parts. It seems they have made some progress in a short time.

When I purchased my 3D printer a year ago, I read numerous stories about Bambu’s support not being able to keep up with how many customers they had been gaining, leading to lower quality service. I haven’t had to test Bambu’s support yet, and they might have hired and trained more techs since then.

Bambu seems to be promoting the H2D as a 3D printer and laser cutter for everyone in the family, and I’m not convinced they’re ready for that yet.

Aside from how they show the new machine operating in the middle of a child’s bedroom with no mention of filtration or exhaust, I can’t get over the part about 3D printed helmets. That can’t be very protective, right? Stick with store-bought helmets that are certified to meet safety standards.

There’s a lot of hype, but also a lot of substance.

My biggest hesitations are centered around the safety of this machine, and of Bambu’s support quality. Pushing beyond 3D printing and fabrication hobbyists and into the average consumer territory is a big step. I’ll keep my wallet in my pocket for now.

There’s also the matter of how pricing starts close to $2000 and then balloons to $3500 if you want the full combo with their higher powered laser option.

I’ve been avoiding cheap laser cutters – even when offered to me for review consideration – because I have yet to find one I can trust to be safe. I’m not sure I’d trust Bambu just yet. We’ll see.