3D Printing Journey

After graduation and the highs of completing my undergraduate program, I craved making projects again. Began researching printers on the market, the most popular in late 2024 were Bambulab's printers where the A1 and P1 lineups were the most intriguing. The AMS and AMS Lite system for multiple colors or filaments to be printed on the same model would allow for more creative projects. One problem came up right as I was ready to order one, a software update changed the workflow away from a direct connection to a printer. I was back to the beginning as I wanted to do experiments with open-source scripts in my prints, mainly the brick layering technique by TenTech on YouTube. 

After restarting my search I researched how much wasted material AMS-type systems produce and how the printing environment factors change the resulting printing quality. This leads me to the Qidi Q1 Pro, a core XY printer with an actively heated enclosure; other considerations were Elegoo Centauri Carbon, Anycubic Kobra 3, Creality Cr-10, Sovol Sv06 ACE, or building a Voron 2.4. The core XY frame design for the price point was the main reason for purchasing the Qidi Q1 Pro, the actively heated enclosure was an added benefit but after 2 months of owning the printer, I'm not too sure how frequently I will be printing ABS or CF filaments. 

Prints from Qidi Q1 Pro with PLA:

In between printing sessions, I realized I would be leaving my raw PLA filament in non-ideal conditions. There is one place that's always heated and dry: the hot water heater closet! I stored the unsealed roll there, hoping it would act as a large filament dryer. After a month of not printing anything, the spool was loaded in, and after some calibration, there was no stringing or effects of humid PLA. 

Key Takeaways:

• Additive manufacturing experience

• Experimental layering technique testing

• Market research in hobbyist FDM printers

Future Prints:

• Drip tray for kitchen sink

• Microsoft Lifecam mount for hand-cam when streaming

• Print in place spring loaded phone mount