That X1E speculation from 2023 sure aged well. Looking back, the clues were all there in the source code. Funny how people dismissed the AI image but the file path evidence was solid.
The lidar debate in this thread is interesting. I’m with christian.woznik on this one - lidar has way more potential than just flow calibration. First layer defect detection alone has saved me from wasting filament countless times. If Bambu ever opens up the lidar data API, that would be a game changer.
But let’s be real - Bambu’s focus has clearly shifted to volume and accessibility. The A-series proved that. I doubt we’ll see an XL or prosumer machine anytime soon. They’re riding the consumer wave and honestly, can’t blame them.
Still waiting for that multi-material system they teased ages ago though. Anyone heard anything new on that front?
I wonder what the pros and cons are. The nozzle still has to move to the side and be cleaned, after all - however, Creality says: “No - zero waste”
Supposedly zero - yes, zero waste:
To me, that sounds like the nozzle is cleaned inside the model. Because even if the poop is small, it has to go somewhere, and apparently there isn’t a prime tower either.
Especially if you scroll down, then, all of a sudden, it no longer says “zero waste,” but rather: “2.7x less filament waste.” That just makes the whole thing even more confusing…
The banner gif on the page shows different colour on the infill. So I’m guessing they have some sort of algorithm to purge in to infill when slicing
The biggest issue I can see is the on hold filaments oozing. Especially if they are wet. Not many beginners know they need to dry their filaments.
It’s the sub-second filament change that has me impressed (assuming it works). That would be a big deal.
Which is confusing because further down the page they have an image that shows and weighs the “waste” amount.
With all 4 filaments that close/in the hot end at all times it will be interesting to see how they avoid clogging and filament crystallization. Clearing a filament issue doesn’t look easy.
Looking at the website, it looks to be entirely vaporware. All the images appear to be rendered. No actual hardware on display. If they’re going to crowd fund this, as is their intent, they’re going to have to show some proof.
On the crystalization issue, maybe they pull the filament back just far enough that it sits at 140C? That’s the temperature at which some of the multi-head toolchangers let their filaments dwell while at standby. Being a bedslinger, it seems they’re targetting the low-end of the market, so maybe it’s a purely PLA play.
it is sad to see all manufacturers jumping on this “zero waste” bandwagon.
The most important aspect (to the youtubers at least) of a printer these days appears to be the ability to “print” the most recent multicolor ai slop with as little “waste” as possible (so its not wasted when its just dumped into infill?).
ease of use?
robustness?
a system that just works?
na not important… lets be obsessed about the amount of “poop”
2-3 years down the line there will be a lot less manufacturers.
Reddit loves to talk about waste too. I get it, I don’t want to throw plastic out either, but waste is part of the hobby. I think I waste more plastic printing my own designs (and failing to achieve my goal) than I do in colour poop though.
I will not complain about a printer that makes less plastic waste though. I think the increased speed for multi-colour prints with multi-head/tool printers is a far more exciting prospect though. I also look forward to one day purchasing a printer that can print two different materials as well, both for support or for things like adding TPU to other materials for various reasons.
For me none of it matters right now, I can’t afford a printer. I am hoping the day I can afford my next machine lines up with a clear next generation printer though.
I sure wish that creality 4-into-1 was made by a company who can actually deliver on the rest of the kinematics. I think you’d still desire to have a very small purge tower, just to be “somewhere else” when that threshhold happens. I can only imagine the problems/challenges from 3 channels of molten filament hydraulically linked to the flow of #4 as it flows past… or maybe im not understanding the nozzle pic. I’m no rocket surgeon but i think that is a venturi force
The printers companies are making now, it seems like companies are throwing things at the wall hoping it sticks.
Coincidentally, that’s how “Elegoo” got its name.
Was it different before? Unless you’re talking about Prusa, which really does not like to release new printers
There was a long period of zero innovation, just lowering prices, until Bambu arrived.
I wouldnt say that, just not a lot of work being done in the middle market.
All the innovation was only really in the 2000+ market. Lulzbot, Ultimaker, and Zortax had some really amazing stuff.
The problem with the lower market is that everyone was just trying to make clones of the Ender 3.
That’s like saying there was no mobile computing / communication device innovation until the iphone
A bit, there was not a major consumer level 3D Printer announcement every other week or so.
@user_831410874
You are mixing two distinct sets of users.
Youtubers come from tinkering background. They are printer enthusiasts who mostly use the printer as projects or at least being able to tinker is important. Their audience are the same and heavily influenced by what is the most talked about on Youtube. Whatever trending on the talks are what they will buy. That’s why a lot of companies doing the same thing - it is the thing that will sell to this customer segment.
These are important for the printig enthusiasts, i.e. those who use printers as tools. So far only Bambu Lab is targeting these users. We need more companies like Bambu Labs to compete against each other so users can have more choices.
I am sure they are coming. The fact that BL captures the market lead in a short time while hardly break a sweat will not be lost on entrepreneurs and investors out there. This part of the market is big with lots of money to make.
