Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?  

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Posted by: @knastnapalm

MK4 Display backside in PA6-CF. This is Markforged print quality. 😉

Those are some beautiful parts but unless you compare it to CF filament on an Mk4 it isn't really a fair comparison. CF filaments do hide artifacts... a lot. Also their surface finish is pretty nice. That said, I would not doubt a second that the Bambulab prints better looking parts than an Mk3. The question is, how it compares to an Mk4. Opinion seem to differ and I can contribute to that as I don't own an MK4 nor a X1.

RE:

Posted by: @thejiral

Those are some beautiful parts but unless you compare it to CF filament on an Mk4 it isn't really a fair comparison. CF filaments do hide artifacts... a lot. Also their surface finish is pretty nice. That said, I would not doubt a second that the Bambulab prints better looking parts than an Mk3. The question is, how it compares to an Mk4. Opinion seem to differ and I can contribute to that as I don't own an MK4 nor a X1.

Yeah sure, maybe someone can post some PA-CF parts of prints from an MK4 to compare.

Here‘s an ABS print, so no artifacts hiding from CF. It’s just crazy good.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

All of your parts looking great, really. But PA-CF seems to be expensive.

Do I have to ventilate regarding fumes?

RE:

Always better to ventilate.

X1C comes with a filter though and additionally I use a Bento Box which is highly effective since it filters and circulates air inside the chamber using coal and hepa filter.

https://www.printables.com/de/model/272525-bentobox-v20-carbon-filter-for-bambu-lab-x1c-enclo

Even PLA emits VOCs (not as bad as ABS though):

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

I have three printers and rarely vent them.  I have Hepa filters in the printer box. 

Posted by: @mrpresident

All of your parts looking great, really. But PA-CF seems to be expensive.

Do I have to ventilate regarding fumes?

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

If you are worried about VOCs, then a HEPA filter is not enough.  You need an activated carbon air filters.  I have read that activated alumina will also remove vocs but I need to do more research on that one.  HEPA will remove the micro particles from the 3D printing.

RE:

Yes. Bambu X1c has an activated carbon filter and the Bento Box has a Hepa filter and an activated carbon filter.

So I am using 2 activated carbon filters and one Hepa filter.

I can print ABS now and my VOC meter does not show elevated levels and no smell. When printing open with MK3s+ it shows elevated levels immediately even with PLA.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Actually there are no projects to switch from PLA to any other filament....

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Does anyone knows how to beep the MK4 loading / unloading filament?

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

My answer to you after getting my MK4 in July of 2023 is that it is very reliable.  The only problems I've ever had with it have been my fault.  Changing the nozzle and forgetting to put the correct size into the firmware.  It prints as reliably as my MK3S+ and 3 times as fast with input shaping.  My thinking with Bambu is that it is a throwaway printer.  Design Prototype Test on youtube did a teardown of it and when you watch it, you won't want to buy that printer.  Plus, the issues with the firmware and the extremely closed source that is Bambu Labs, I won't buy one unless some serious changes take place.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Give some data on your "elevated" numbers because 3d printing is going to put stuff in the air inherently.  What are normal levels and what compared to printing levels and what?

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Nah. If Prusa disappeared tomorrow, you could keep a mk4 running for a very long time. It would likely eventually end up being a ship of Theseus, but there’s pretty well nothing there that can’t be swapped out or replaced. If Bambu disappeared, then unless someone is feeling exceptionally talented at reverse engineering then there’s a lot of stuff that will stop a Bambu. Even something as simple as a busted idler pulley or bearing.

Nope.  Prusa hasn't released any of the engineering data for the MK4, and particularly the XL.  I suppose open source went the way of the dinosaurs.  Anyway, I have an MK3/S and an MK4, and what I like about the MK4 is that the load cell in the Nextruder is MUCH better then a stand MBL device like what Bambu (like the Pinda) has.  I don't have to futz with calibrating the first layer height when I change filaments.  Unfortunately, they haven't gotten the bugs out of the firmware yet.  I am driving the MK4 with Octoprint.  For the MK3/S, I would get the first layer height down, and eventually it would go out and I would have to recalibrate it.  Not so with the MK4.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Not sure why anyone says Bambu printers are "throwaway." I have three. The company sells every possible replacement at very reasonable prices and free shipping over $50. Prusa sells most parts but they are more expensive not counting the $30+ shipping charges for just about everything. Buy the ObXidian nozzle for the MK4 is like $59 + $20 shipping. Thats just the heatbreak and nozzle.  The entire Bambu hardened hotend including fan, heater and thermistor and nozzle is $37.  

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

Look at the E3D OBX hot end for the Bambu, a quality part that is, and will always be more expensive. 

I don’t like the Bambu, I really don’t. It was not for me and yes, many of its “consumable” parts are cheap to buy but also cheaply made with cheap materials. However, I like the fact that the Bambu labs exist. Competition is always good for everyone. 

I love my MK4, I like the fact it dares to be different, and after a year or so, is a different printer than the one I received. It has been under constant development making a great printer even better. I was lucky enough being able to afford an XL 5T which is even better, but I still love, and use my MK4. My late Bambu X1c got sold and I only remembered I had one when I saw the mail about the update on this thread, on the opposite side, my two Prusa Minis while retired, are still loved and carefully stored. 

I guess, everyone is slightly different, with different expectations and value different things.

Cheers!

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

I did get the E3D OBX hotted for my Bambu printers. It really works great and can increase my speeds. Also works well for all materials. They are like $90 for the full assembly with fan, heater, thermistor, etc. Takes about 5 minutes to replace.

Also got a new MK4 so I bought the E3D OBX nozzle for that. I'm crossing my fingers. I think about $55 from E3D. They get you on shipping but things arrive fast. I don't know why PRUSA didn't use the Revo instead? I have that on my MK2 and MK3 and they are great. So many choices. Can't wait to see how the load sensor works. I had a Creality with a load sensor MANY years ago.  I'd say it wasn't great.

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

If i put emotion aside, right now is P1S with AMS for about 880€ which is the same price as MK4 DIY kit.

P1S is enclosured has carbon filter + AMS

880€

MK4 DIY kit + enclosure with led and filter + mmu3

1700€

so the good thing is that i can buy P1S with AMS and when or if it fails then MK4 kit is still in sweetspot of  total 1700€😂

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

The sad part is, even for these prices the MK4 doesn't even have a work light or a camera or a mobile app. And you REALLY say the MMU3 and the AMS are equivalent?  That's a bit of a stretch. 

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

The sad part is, even for these prices the MK4 doesn't even have a work light or a camera or a mobile app. And you REALLY say the MMU3 and the AMS are equivalent?  That's a bit of a stretch. 

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

The sad part is, even for these prices the MK4 doesn't even have a work light or a camera or a mobile app. And you REALLY say the MMU3 and the AMS are equivalent?  That's a bit of a stretch. 

RE: Prusa MK4 vs Bambu?

OK, I have both - MK4 in the box with MMU and bambu X1C with AMS.

1) MK 4 prints in better quality

2) MMU is  - let´s say not very usefull. AMS is much much better

3) X1C is in this configuration cheeper, and you can use - for more money -  4x AMS/ 16 colors or different materials ( but who really needs it ?)

And X1C has built in camera etc.

I cannot say which one is better, both are printing very well and  now I print singlecolor things on MK4, and color prints on X1C with satisfaction.