Bambu Lab P1S Review with AMS | The one for everything

Overview of the Bamboo Lab P1S with AMS

The Bamboo Lab P1S, an upgraded version of the earlier P1P model, presents itself as a significant contender in the mid to high-end 3D printer market. It incorporates a notable AMS (Automatic Material Management System) and positions itself as a substantial step forward for enthusiasts and professionals alike seeking advanced features without venturing into the realm of industrial-grade machines. The P1S iteration aims to address earlier quality control issues, adding enhanced functionalities and maintaining affordability in comparison to its high-end counterparts.

Design and Features

Out of the box, the P1S impresses with its comprehensive enclosure, featuring a 256 x 256 x 256 mm build volume, a double-sided PEI sheet on the build plate, and a metal-glass construction for durability and ease of printing with materials prone to warping. A built-in camera for monitoring prints and the addition of a cooling and filtration system underscore its capability to handle a broad spectrum of filaments, from PLA to more demanding ABS and ASA materials. The AMS system, a key selling point, facilitates multi-color printing, expanding creative possibilities. The printer's overall ease of setup and user-friendly calibration processes are highlighted as beginner-friendly, despite minimal printed instructions included.

Performance

Performance-wise, the P1S largely delivers on its promises. The ability to reach printing speeds of up to 500mm per second, coupled with a substantial acceleration capability, sets it apart in terms of speed and quality. The integrated Bamboo Studio slicer software plays a significant role in optimizing these prints, demonstrating the P1S's capability to produce impressively detailed models swiftly. Test prints across various filaments from PLA to PETG and TPU showed the printer's versatile handling, though some materials like TPU presented challenges when used with the AMS system.

Automatic Material Management (AMS) System

The AMS feature is innovative, enabling hassle-free multi-color printing by seamlessly switching between filaments mid-print. While this system elevates the printer's capacity for detailed, colorful models, it also brings to light considerations such as filament wastage during transitions and the learning curve associated with optimally employing this feature.

User Experience

The user experience is reported as largely positive, with Bamboo Lab's ecosystem receiving praise for its cohesiveness. The combination of the AMS, enclosure, and high-speed capabilities make the P1S a compelling option for users looking for an advanced 3D printing setup. However, issues such as the machine's loud operational noise, potential overhang cooling problems with certain filaments, and the enclosed design's impact on PLA prints were noted as areas for potential improvement.

Concerns and Considerations

Critiques of the P1S revolve around its noise level, enclosure's mixed effects on different filament types, and the proprietary nature of Bamboo Lab's ecosystem, limiting repair and modification flexibility. The required use of cloud services for some features also raises data privacy and cybersecurity questions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bamboo Lab P1S with AMS system presents a compelling choice for those seeking advanced features like fast printing speeds, multi-color printing capabilities, and user-friendly operation in a single package. While balancing considerations such as noise, material handling, and the closed-source nature of the system, the P1S offers a sophisticated and integrated approach to 3D printing that can appeal to both novices and experienced users looking for a reliable, versatile machine.