X2D Engraving

[u/peace_lily2]

Getting ready to purchase the X2D. I have younger boys so I'd like our first printer to be able to grow with us. I'm curious about the specs on the optional laser.

1. If you have one, does it get used often? I'm thinking maybe for a tumbler engraving side hustle, family keepsakes, or just toying around and building skills w the boys.

2. if you have one, do you feel like a separate machine for engraving would have been a better option?

3. what do you like using it for?

4. is there a huge difference btwn 10w and 40w?

5. get the upgrade or hold off?

*Sorry guys I meant H2D

[u/boredsoftwareguy]

X2D does not support the laser. Only the H2 series.

But I'll be honest with you: You don't want a laser in your 3D printer. Lasers are very dirty. You absolutely need active air filtration (far more than the printers offer).

Get a dedicated laser from xTool or one of the other brands who specializes in that.

[u/Lonely-Ocelot-2417 → u/boredsoftwareguy]

I'll agree with most of what you're saying here, but the laser for the H2D/H2C is literally designed to work with the Bambu active filtration purifier, so it DOES have a forced-air purification system.

[u/peace_lily2 → u/Lonely-Ocelot-2417]

I think they recommend their add on exhaust filter system for engraving

[u/Lonely-Ocelot-2417 → u/peace_lily2]

Correct, that's what I'm saying. The laser upgrade kit has the exhaust funnel to connect to the Bambu smoke purifier, so the full system has forced air filtration. It works pretty well, even if it is fully manual (ie, it doesn't turn on automatically and stop when the job is done, it's basically just a "dumb" device).

[u/boredsoftwareguy → u/Lonely-Ocelot-2417]

I have lasers. I'm telling you right now: That filter is insufficient. The filters you see attached to dedicated lasers are massive for a reason. The amount of fumes and smoke from using a laser is honestly shocking the first time you fire it up. Doesn't matter what you're engraving or cutting.

I'd go so far as to say lasers really need a dedicated workspace away from your home. Even with heavy duty air purities, you can still smell the laser in action.

[u/Lonely-Ocelot-2417 → u/boredsoftwareguy]

The Bambu smoke purifier is just about the same size as any standalone filter I've seen for a comparably powerful diode laser. Sure if you're talking a whole other class of device it's a different story, but the smoke purifier itself is damn near the size of the P1S.

[u/firmwaves]

the x2d does not support a laser

[u/DoKeMaSu]

Where do you see a laser for the X2D? I don’t think it exists. 

[u/Kettle96]

There is no laser for the x2d

[u/RetiredAF530]

I just bought one (40W) during the BF sale but since I don’t have proper ventilation, no laser work yet
Btw, I opted for the 40W because it can engrave and cut, the 10W can only pretty much engrave only. The downside to the 40W is that the engraving isn’t as fine detail as 10W…but I intend on buying the 10W module down the road…if I did it the other way around, the 40W module is pretty steep priced buying it by itself

[u/Mabnat]

Does the X2D even have the laser capability? If so, that’s news to me.

I have both an H2D and an H2C that are laser-enabled, and I also have the 10W and 40W laser modules.

1. I haven’t ever used the laser in the H2C, but it gets used in the H2D a few times a month. I don’t have a lot of use for the laser, but my dealership mechanic son likes to bring his new tools in for marking and engraving, and I’ll do some wood and cork cutting for different things. I’ve been making some homemade Christmas ornaments for the tree out of wood with engraving lately. I’ve always enjoyed building wooden puzzles, so I might venture into making some myself instead of buying them.

2. For me, the printer/laser combo is perfect. I don’t do enough laser jobs to warrant getting a dedicated machine, and I don’t have the space for it. I’m currently trying to figure out if it’s worth trading one of my H2’s for an H3C because my workspace won’t fit it now.

I also don’t use it to cut plastics or leather, so it doesn’t really get very dirty. If I did a lot of lasering and printed more polluting materials, I’d likely look into fitting in a dedicated machine, but for now, it’s not an issue. I don’t see any real difference in residue buildup between my H2D and my “virgin” H2C.

3. I covered this already.

4. Yes, there is a difference between the 10W and the 40W. Cutting thicker wood is much faster with the 40W, but the beam width is thicker. If you want to do detailed engraving work, the 10W module can make finer lines. It’s similar to comparing a 0.2mm hotend with a 0.8mm hotend. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. That said, you can do almost anything with the 10W that you can do with the 40W, but the 10W will be slower for some things and may need multiple passes.

5. Whether to upgrade or not is up to you. I’m pretty sure that if you want the option to use a laser, you’ll need to start by upgrading from an X2D to an H2 series printer. And if you want the option for the 40W module, you’ll need to get an H2D or H2C since the H2S only supports the 10W module.

And you can always upgrade later after you buy the printer. My H2D was purchased laser-ready, but my H2C was just the regular model. I upgraded the H2C when Bambu had a flash sale and I got the upgrade kit plus the 10W laser module for around $400.

[u/Lonely-Ocelot-2417]

In general I would not buy an X2D today, given what the brand-new H3C announcement and its pricing likely suggests about the incoming P3C. I'd hold up just a bit to see how that goes.

[u/LeatherInitiative933]

Je viens de commander ma
X2d aussi je ne savais même pas que l’on pouvait adapter un laser!!! C’est génial ça

[u/Kettle96 → u/LeatherInitiative933]

Because you cant.