Bambu Lab is no longer content with simplifying 3D printing. With its new H2D, the manufacturer is aiming bigger, stronger, and above all, more comprehensive. Its new model, sold from €2,199, includes two nozzles for 3D printing, a wider plate... and above all, a series of clip-on tools: a cutting blade, a pen for drawing, and even a laser for engraving all kinds of materials.
One printer, several tools
With this versatile approach, Bambu hopes to appeal to creatives who juggle between several machines - Cricut cutters, GlowForge engravers, iDraw plotters, etc. — by offering them a more compact all-in-one. It's almost as if the 3D printer became a motorized Swiss Army knife.
In effect, this results in a machine capable, for example, of printing a complete bicycle helmet, foam included, then continuing with a wood engraving or a logo drawn on paper. Quite impressive on paper, and it promises to be quite exhilarating to see in action.
The H2D allows you to print two materials at once thanks to its two nozzles, on a volume twice as large as the X1 and P1 models. The nozzles can handle up to 350°C, and one of them accepts TPU, a flexible plastic that is often unpredictable. Bambu has also thought of integrating a drying system for the filaments: useful, because they quickly absorb moisture.
Another good point: the nozzles can be changed without tools, the modules (like the laser or the blade) can be attached with a click, and the software can even recommend which filament to use with which nozzle to avoid waste.
But not everything is smooth sailing yet. According to initial reviews, dual-nozzle printing is unreliable, and some objects come out with visible defects. "My first copy didn't pass tests that older printers pass," says The Verge's tester. The second one fares better, but still doesn't match the quality of the P1P model, which is even cheaper.
On the laser side, it works, but you have to stay put. There's no question of starting an engraving remotely: you have to physically press a button. And despite smoke extractors, a burning smell may linger for a while. As for the Bambu Suite software, it is still a bit limited: a few basic shapes, text, simple images... More advanced functions will come later.
The Bambu H2D clearly has potential. The device attempts to unify several machines into one, with real attention to detail. But it still seems to be in its infancy. If the idea appeals to you, it's better to wait for some additional feedback... or to have the soul of a curious, patient, and wealthy beta tester.
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