Bambu Lab X1C 3D Printer
The Bambu Lab X1 Carbon (X1C) is a desktop 3D printer manufactured by Bambu Lab that utilizes fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology. The X1 Carbon Combo is easy to set up with little fuss, offers a great user experience with touch screen controls and remote printing from the Bambu Handy app, and is designed for both hobbyist and professional applications. The printer is part of Bambu Lab's X1 Series and represents the company's focus on bringing advanced automation and artificial intelligence features to desktop 3D printing.
The X1C features a CoreXY motion system with 20 m/s² acceleration and can achieve print speeds up to 500mm/s. Key technical capabilities include 7 μm LiDAR resolution for precise bed leveling, dual auto bed leveling systems, and support for advanced materials including carbon fiber reinforced polymers through its all-metal hotend capable of reaching 300°C. The printer offers multi-color printing capabilities for up to 16 colors when paired with Bambu Lab's Automatic Material System (AMS).
The X1C is available as a standalone unit or as part of various combo packages that include the AMS for multi-material printing. Current pricing in the UK starts at £1,149 for the AMS 2 Pro Combo, while US pricing has been affected by tariffs, reaching $1,749.99 for the AMS Combo. The printer incorporates AI-powered features including spaghetti detection and first layer inspection to minimize print failures and reduce the need for user intervention during printing operations.
Technical Specifications
The Bambu Lab X1 Carbon operates within a build volume of 256 × 256 × 256 mm³, providing a cubic printing space suitable for medium-sized objects and prototypes. The printer utilizes 1.75mm filament diameter and features a 0.4mm hardened steel nozzle designed for durability when printing with abrasive materials. The all-metal hotend can reach temperatures up to 300°C, enabling the printer to work with high-temperature engineering plastics including PA, PC, and carbon fiber reinforced polymers.
The X1C incorporates a CoreXY motion system capable of 20 m/s² acceleration and maximum print speeds of 500 mm/s. The system achieves a flow rate of 32 mm³/s through its combination of a 40W ceramic heater and 12W auxiliary part cooling fan. The printer's welded steel XY chassis provides structural rigidity, while ultra-lightweight carbon rails reduce moving mass to enable the high acceleration capabilities.
For bed heating and adhesion, the X1C features a heated bed capable of reaching 120°C at 110V or 110°C at 220V. The printer ships with either a Bambu Textured PEI Plate or Bambu Cool Plate, both of which are compatible with the micro LiDAR system. The enclosed chamber can maintain temperatures up to 60°C and includes a carbon filter for air purification.
The printer's precision systems include dual auto bed leveling and 7 μm LiDAR resolution for automated calibration and first layer inspection. Control is provided through a 5-inch color touchscreen LCD display, while the printer's AI processing capabilities are handled by a quad-core ARM processor with 2 TOPS NPU.
Physical dimensions of the X1C measure 389 × 389 × 457 mm³ with a net weight of 14.13kg. When packaged with the AMS system, the total gross weight reaches 22.3kg. The printer operates on 100-240 VAC power at 50/60Hz frequency, consuming 1000W at 220V or 350W at 110V.
Material compatibility extends beyond basic thermoplastics to include PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PVA, and PET, with the printer being ideal for PA, PC, and carbon/glass fiber reinforced polymers. When paired with the Automatic Material System, the X1C supports multi-color printing with up to 16 colors, though this requires four AMS units to achieve the maximum color count.
Key Features
Automatic Material System (AMS)
The Automatic Material System (AMS) enables printing freely in multiple colors and materials, serving as the foundation for the X1C's multi-color capabilities. The system features an airtight design with humidity sensors to protect filament from moisture damage during storage. The AMS utilizes parallel 4×4 two-stage feeding with integrated filament buffering to ensure smooth material transitions during multi-color prints.
Unlike competing systems, the AMS connects to the printer through only one tube on the back, eliminating the need for multiple tubes for each filament color. This design makes the back of the printer look much neater while maintaining functionality. The system supports up to 16 multi-color printing when multiple AMS units are connected, though four AMS units are needed to achieve the maximum color count. The AMS features a curved design with a soft-close lid for both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
AI-Powered Monitoring and Detection
The X1C incorporates artificial intelligence systems for autonomous print monitoring and failure prevention. AI failure detection continuously analyzes the printing process through the integrated camera system. When issues arise, the Bambu X1C notices problems straight away, pauses the print automatically, and notifies users of the issue with options to continue or cancel the print.
The AI system provides spaghetti detection capabilities, monitoring for the formation of tangled plastic that can damage the printer or ruin prints. According to Bambu Lab's specifications, the AI can detect spaghetti failures with 86% confidence, allowing users to sleep easy in the knowledge that the printer is safe from this scourge. Additionally, the system performs AI-inspected first layer analysis, automatically evaluating print adhesion and quality during the critical initial layer to prevent failures before they develop.
LiDAR Calibration System
The X1C employs micro LiDAR technology that measures depth in micrometers for precision calibration and monitoring. This 7 μm LiDAR resolution enables the system to probe nozzle height, calibrate flow, and scan the first layer with exceptional accuracy. The LiDAR works in conjunction with dual automated bed leveling systems, where LiDAR and analog force sensors cross-check for an extra layer of redundancy in bed leveling.
The system automatically performs first layer inspection, allowing users to move away from the printer during this critical phase. The LiDAR sensor can check the first layer so users can get back to doing anything else, eliminating the traditional need to monitor the initial layer formation. The technology also enables the system to assess whether layers are higher or lower than the intended first layer height, providing real-time feedback on print quality and adhesion.
CoreXY Motion System
The X1C utilizes a CoreXY motion system with welded chassis design that enables high-speed printing while maintaining precision. The system achieves 20 m/s² acceleration and maximum velocities of 500 mm/s through its optimized mechanical design. Key components include ultra-lightweight carbon rails that reduce moving mass and a welded steel XY chassis that provides structural rigidity.
The motion system incorporates active vibration compensation for the XY axes, precise layer height control for the Z-axis, and high bandwidth flow control for the extruder. These three elements combine to deliver what Bambu Lab describes as exceptional smoothness in print quality. The system enables cutting print time in half while maintaining layer heights at 0.1mm, demonstrating the balance between speed and precision that the CoreXY architecture provides.