Bambu Lab H3C Launches With 9 PrintTools for $2,499
Bambu Lab has plenty of new developments to share with the industry! After unveiling its R1 laser cutter and announcing the upcoming release of its first 3D scanner, the company is once again turning its attention to 3D printing with the launch of the H3C.
This new printer introduces a tool-changing architecture to facilitate multi-material manufacturing. The machine features nine independent PrintTools, each with its own filament path and heating system, allowing for material changes in less than six seconds, according to the company.
The H3C also features the AMS 3H filament management system and a FlexFeed extruder, compatible with 1.75- and 2.85-mm filaments. With this configuration, Bambu Lab aims to streamline jobs that combine different materials, colors, and mechanical properties in a single part.
Swaptek: A Tool Changer Architecture with Nine Tools
The main feature of the H3C is Swaptek, a system that allows you to swap nine PrintTools without having to unload one filament to load another. Each tool has its own material path and heating system, so the filaments remain loaded and ready for use.
To reduce wait times, Bambu Lab has incorporated an active preheating system. This system anticipates the next tool change and begins heating the corresponding nozzle while the printer continues working with the previous material. According to the manufacturer, the change is completed in less than six seconds. It also notes that this architecture reduces the amount of material purged during transitions.
The AMS 3H system includes a drying function that reaches 85 °C.
FlexFeed and AMS 3H for Working with Different Materials
Another new feature is the FlexFeed extruder, designed to accommodate 1.75- and 2.85-mm filaments. The latter option allows for working with flexible materials such as 75A Shore hardness TPU. Bambu Lab states that this configuration can achieve a flow rate up to five times higher than that of the company’s previous solutions for these types of materials.
The printer also features the AMS 3H, an integrated automatic storage and feeding system with nine slots. Its enclosed chamber keeps the filaments protected from moisture and includes a drying system that reaches 85 °C. However, simultaneous drying is limited to two slots.
Full-Color Printing and Nozzle Combinations
The multi-material approach also opens up possibilities for manufacturing colored parts. By combining five colors (CMYKW), Bambu Lab proposes mixing filaments to achieve a broader color range without needing a spool for each shade.
Likewise, the H3C allows for the use of different nozzle diameters in a single print job. For example, the manufacturer recommends using a 0.2-mm nozzle for a part’s fine details, a 0.4-mm nozzle for structural areas, and a third configuration for incorporating flexible materials. This makes it possible to produce objects with varying levels of detail.
The H3C allows you to combine different nozzles to achieve varying levels of detail on a single part.
The manufacturer also plans to incorporate additional tools for performing operations such as cutting, drawing, or relief engraving using its CraftTool system.
Bambu Lab H3C’s Specifications
- Print volume: 330 × 320 × 325 mm.
- Tool-changing system: Bambu Lab Swaptek, with nine PrintTools.
- Maximum hotend temperature: 350 °C.
- Maximum bed temperature: 120 °C.
- Maximum chamber temperature: 65 °C.
- Compatible nozzle diameters: 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mm.
- Compatible filament diameters: 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm (the latter via bypass feed).
- Maximum speed: 1,400 mm/s.
- Maximum acceleration: 25,000 mm/s².
- Maximum hotend flow rate: 40 mm³/s.
- Weight: 36.28 kg (including the AMS 3H).
The Bambu Lab H3C features the Swaptek tool-changing system with nine PrintTools.
The H3C is available starting today, November 3, at the official Bambu Lab store, in a single initial configuration called the H3C AMS Combo. This includes the printer, the AMS 3H, and the nine PrintTools. As for the price, the Bambu Lab H3C AMS Combo will be available in the US for $2,499 and the UK for £2,199. Bambu Lab also offers various bundles that include additional accessories.
What do you think of this new 3D printer from Bambu Lab? Do you think they have even more surprises in store for November? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn or Facebook pages! Plus, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter to get the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox. You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
*Photo Credits: Bambu Lab
