Bambu Lab P1S

Bambu Lab P1S

⚠️ HOT SURFACES — THE NOZZLE REACHES 300°C AND THE BED REACHES 100°C. DO NOT TOUCH DURING OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER PRINTING. ⚠️ ⚠️ FAST MOVING PARTS — THE PRINT HEAD MOVES UP TO 500mm/s. NEVER REACH INSIDE WHILE THE PRINTER IS RUNNING. ⚠️ ⚠️ STANDARD STAINLESS STEEL NOZZLE — NO CARBON-FIBER, GLASS-FIBER, OR OTHER ABRASIVE FILAMENTS (see Approved Materials below). ⚠️

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The Bambu Lab P1S is our everyday workhorse printer — we have three of them, each with an AMS (Automatic Material System) for 4-color/multi-material printing. It's a fast, fully enclosed CoreXY machine with automatic bed leveling, vibration compensation, a built-in chamber camera, and an activated carbon filter. It uses the same Bambu Studio workflow as our X1 Carbon and H2D, so once you've learned one Bambu machine, you've learned them all. Great for PLA, PETG, TPU, and ABS/ASA prints up to 256mm cubed — if your part fits and doesn't need an abrasive or high-temp material, start here.

Specifications

Property	Detail
Technology	Fused deposition modeling (FDM), CoreXY motion system
Build volume	256mm × 256mm × 256mm
Print head	Single nozzle, direct-drive, all-metal hotend
Filament diameter	1.75mm
Nozzle	0.4mm stainless steel (standard); 0.2mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm also compatible
Nozzle temperature	Up to 300°C
Build plate	Heated, up to 100°C; magnetic flexible steel sheet with textured PEI surface
Max speed / acceleration	500mm/s / 20,000mm/s²
Bed leveling	Automatic
Enclosure	Fully enclosed (plastic & glass), passive chamber heat only — no chamber heater
Air filtration	Activated carbon filter (reduces odors/VOCs — not a HEPA filter)
Sensors	Filament runout sensor, chamber camera
Filament cutter	Yes (built into the print head)
Connectivity	microSD card (our standard method); Wi-Fi (may not always be available)
Multi-color	Bambu AMS installed — 4 filament slots per printer, automatic color/material changes
Software	Bambu Studio

Overview

The P1S is the enclosed version of Bambu Lab's P1 platform and shares its motion system with the more expensive X1 Carbon. The differences from the X1C come down to the extras: the P1S has a simpler button-and-screen interface (no touchscreen), no lidar first-layer scanner, and a standard stainless steel nozzle instead of a hardened one.

The enclosure keeps heat in and drafts out, which is what makes ABS and ASA print reliably here. It's passive only — the chamber warms up from the bed (typically 40–50°C), but there's no heater. For materials that need a properly heated chamber, use the H2D.

Printer at a glance:

• Fast — most prints finish in a fraction of the time older printers take.
• Hands-off setup — auto bed leveling and vibration compensation run on their own before each print.
• Multi-color ready — the AMS holds 4 spools and switches between them automatically.
• Chamber camera — check on your print remotely from Bambu Studio or the Bambu Handy app (when the network is up).

Software

⭐ Recommended: Bambu Studio

🏆 Use Bambu Studio for This Machine

Bambu Studio is the recommended slicer for the P1S. It ships with tuned P1S profiles for Bambu and common third-party filaments, handles AMS multi-color painting, and exports files ready for the microSD card. Free. Select "Bambu Lab P1S" when adding the printer, with the correct nozzle size (0.4mm unless a volunteer has swapped it). Pick the filament profile that matches what's actually loaded — this sets temperatures and speeds. Always use the latest stable version. Download Bambu Studio →

Also works: OrcaSlicer (a popular Bambu Studio offshoot) has full P1S support. Other slicers that export standard G-code can work, but some Bambu features won't.

Where to slice: Bambu Studio is installed on the makerspace lab PCs — you're welcome to use those, or install it free on your own laptop.

Tip: The weight estimate you need for your sticky note and filament payment is shown in Bambu Studio's slice preview, after you click "Slice plate."

Startup / First-Print Workflow

1. Complete mandatory training before use, and sign in on the equipment log.
2. Turn on the printer using the power switch on the back.
3. Check the build plate: it should be clean, seated flat on the magnetic bed, and aligned with the pins at the back.
4. Check what's loaded in the AMS — note which color/material is in each slot (1–4). You'll need to match these in the slicer.
5. Slice your model in Bambu Studio with the P1S profile. In the filament list on the left, set each filament to match the AMS slot it's actually in (filament 1 = slot 1, etc.).
6. Write your name, contact info, and estimated filament weight on a sticky note and attach it to the printer (see the 3D Printing Area checklist).
7. Send the print to the printer using the microSD card method below (or over the network, if it's working).
8. Let the printer run its automatic calibration (bed leveling, vibration compensation) — don't skip this. It takes a few minutes before printing starts.
9. Watch the first layer to confirm good bed adhesion.
10. Stay reachable during the print; check in periodically on long jobs (or use the chamber camera to check remotely, if the network is up).
11. Let the bed cool, then remove the flexible plate and flex it to pop your print off. Put the plate back, clean up scraps and purge waste. Sign out on the log sheet.

💾 Printing from the microSD Card (Standard Method)

⚠️ Always know how to do this. The network connection may not be set up or reliable on any given day — the microSD card works every time.

1. After slicing in Bambu Studio, click the dropdown arrow next to "Print plate" (top right) and choose "Export plate sliced file."
2. Save the file (it ends in .gcode.3mf) to the printer's microSD card. Use a card reader on the lab PC or your laptop if needed.
3. Put the card back in the printer's card slot.
4. On the printer screen, go to the file list (SD card), select your file, and start the print.
5. If the printer offers calibration options, leave bed leveling turned on.

Tip: Give your file a recognizable name (e.g. yourname_bracket.gcode.3mf) so it's easy to find on the screen. Delete old files of yours from the card once your print is done.

📡 Printing over the Network (When Available)

If the printer shows up in Bambu Studio's Device tab, you can click "Print plate" to send the job directly. When sending this way, Bambu Studio lets you confirm which AMS slot maps to each filament before the print starts. If the printer doesn't appear or the send fails, don't troubleshoot the network — just use the microSD card method above.

🎨 Using the AMS (Multi-Color / Multi-Material)

Each P1S has an AMS (Automatic Material System) that holds 4 spools and switches between them automatically during a print.

• Match your slots. When printing from the microSD card, the printer uses the slot assignments exactly as you set them in Bambu Studio — filament 1 prints from slot 1, and so on. If they don't match what's loaded, you'll get the wrong colors.
• Don't swap other people's filament mid-print. If you need a different color loaded, only change a slot that isn't being used by a running print, and put it back when you're done.
• Color changes create waste. Every change purges filament out the back of the printer (the "poop" chute) and may add a prime tower. Use the total weight Bambu Studio shows after slicing (it includes this waste) for your sticky note and filament payment.
• Empty the purge bin behind the printer if it's getting full.
• Not for the AMS: TPU/flexible filament, wet or brittle filament, carbon-fiber or other abrasive filaments, and cardboard spools without an adapter ring. Load those directly into the print head through the external spool path instead — ask a volunteer if unsure.

Loading filament into the AMS: Open the AMS lid, place the spool on the rollers in an empty slot, and push the filament end into the slot's feeder until it grabs. The AMS reads Bambu RFID spools automatically. For other brands, set the material and color for that slot on the printer screen.

Materials

Approved Materials

Material	Status	Notes
PLA	✅	Best all-around choice. Leave the front door or top slightly open for PLA if the chamber gets warm, to prevent heat creep/clogs.
PETG	✅	Good durability; use glue stick or the textured PEI plate to prevent over-adhesion
TPU	✅ (with care)	Flexible; print slow. Load directly into the print head — do not run TPU through the AMS
ABS / ASA	✅	Prints well with the doors closed; enclosure + carbon filter reduce odor. Still use good room ventilation.
PVA	✅ (with care)	Water-soluble support; keep it dry — it absorbs moisture fast
Nylon (PA)	⚠️ Caution	Must be very dry; ask a volunteer first
PC (Polycarbonate)	❌ Not recommended	300°C nozzle / 100°C bed / unheated chamber are at or below its limits. Use the H2D.
Carbon-fiber / glass-fiber / abrasive filled	❌ Not recommended	Stainless nozzle — abrasives wear it out quickly. Use the H2D (hardened steel nozzle).

When in doubt about a material/machine combination, ask a volunteer before printing.

Material Handling & Storage

• Store spools dry, cool, and out of direct sunlight in a resealable bag with desiccant.
• PETG, TPU, Nylon, and PVA absorb moisture — wet filament causes stringing, popping, and weak prints. Dry it before use if it's been left out.
• Cardboard spools can shed debris into the AMS — use plastic spools or a spool adapter ring if loading into the AMS.

Safety

⚠️ Burns: The nozzle reaches 300°C and the bed reaches 100°C. Don't touch either with bare hands. Allow the printer to cool before maintenance.

⚠️ Moving parts: The print head moves extremely fast. Keep hands out of the printer while it's running — pause or stop the print from the screen first.

⚠️ Ventilation: The activated carbon filter reduces odors but does not remove fine particles like a HEPA filter does. Keep the room ventilated, especially for ABS/ASA. Check the SDS for non-Bambu materials.

⚠️ Electrical: Use the printer's own power cord with an earthed wall socket. Always unplug before maintenance.

⚠️ Build Plate Warning
Always make sure the flexible build plate is seated flat and aligned with the pins at the back of the bed before printing. A misaligned plate can cause the nozzle to crash into the bed. Don't use metal scrapers on the PEI surface — flex the plate to release prints instead.

General rules:

• Complete mandatory training and sign in before use.
• Never leave the first layer unattended.
• Don't store items inside the printer — objects in the chamber can block the print head or bed.
• Don't change printer settings, firmware, or nozzles yourself — ask a volunteer.
• Report jams, failures, and maintenance issues. Clean the bed, remove scraps, and empty the purge bin when done.

Troubleshooting

Issue	Likely Cause	Fix
Poor bed adhesion	Oily/dirty plate, wrong plate setting in slicer	Wash the plate with dish soap and water (don't touch the surface with bare fingers); confirm the plate type in Bambu Studio matches the installed plate
Print won't come off	PETG over-adhesion, plate still hot	Let the plate cool fully, then flex it. Use glue stick as a release layer for PETG next time
Warping (corners lift)	Material shrinkage, drafts	Keep doors closed for ABS/ASA, use glue stick, add a brim in Bambu Studio
Clogging / under-extrusion with PLA	Chamber too warm (heat creep)	Prop open the top or front door for PLA prints
Stringing / popping sounds	Wet filament	Dry the filament before printing
Filament runout error mid-print	Spool empty or tangled	Load new filament and resume from the printer screen
Wrong colors printed	Filament order in Bambu Studio didn't match the AMS slots	Re-check which spool is in each slot, fix the filament list in Bambu Studio, and re-export to the microSD card
AMS won't feed / filament stuck	Tangled spool, brittle filament snapped in the tube, cardboard spool debris	Stop the print, check the spool for tangles, and ask a volunteer to clear the feed path — don't force it
File doesn't show up on the printer	Exported the project instead of the sliced file, or the card wasn't fully inserted	Re-export using "Export plate sliced file" (.gcode.3mf), re-seat the card
Error code on display	Various	Note the error code and search it in the Bambu Lab Wiki; report to a volunteer if it doesn't clear

Resources

• Bambu Studio (slicer download)
• Bambu Lab P1 Series Wiki (official guides & error codes)
• Bambu Lab Support
• 📄 Bambu Lab X1 Carbon (sister machine)
• 📄 Bambu Lab H2D (high-temp / large-format)
• 📄 Back to 3D Printing Area