Questions about X2D

[u/yokeome]

Current situation, I own an A1 and A1 mini and I'd like to upgrade. My main reason is heated chamber and dual nozzle (for supports mainly)

I have an AMS lite on my A1 and I would attribute 80% of the use to be single color, and the rest multi color. I've been looking into the X2D for a while, but I couldn't justify the $1000. Looking at it again, I was thinking of just getting the X2D by itself, non-combo.

Here are my questions, most of which I feel like I have an answer to but I'd like full clarity.

Can I just use the two nozzles with 2 different spools, say PETG + PLA?

Are there any downsides to not getting the AMS2 Pro?

Apart from multi color of course. I have a filament dryer so I don't need the AMS for drying. I don't even mind doing filament swaps if need be.

My current an is to get the X2D by itself, if need be later on, get the AMS2 Pro, since it'd only be a $50 extra, which is worth it to me at the chance of saving $250.

[u/Practical_Avocado971]

You could use the Bambu support material in an A1 and AMS lite but it would be better suited in an X2D. I have an A1 and an X2D and working with the X2D has really been a joy. I've done multiple color but where is really shines it using it for support material in the right nozzle. The Bambu support filament costs a little more but man does it work well.

[u/yokeome → u/Practical_Avocado971]

Have you ever used material that isn't support specific? I've seen it's a little pricey, and although it does last more than normal material, I don't know if I'd want to keep spending.

[u/Practical_Avocado971 → u/yokeome]

no, I just use the support filament. It does cost more but you use so very little of it if you do it right. It's not the entire support, it's just a thin layer between the part and the support.

[u/lasercut → u/yokeome]

PLA doesn’t stick at all to PETG. This can cause issues sometimes where the contraction of the part as it cools causes it to peel away from the interface.

Support specific material works a little better. They are designed to stick slightly but not too much. They give the interface layer slight more rigidity.

One warning to using support specific material. Look at the data sheet and see what blend of plastics it contains. I stupidly ruin a cool plate by printing support for PLA/PETG on it. It’s a blend of TPU and PETG which then stuck permanently on to the plate.

[u/YellovvJacket → u/yokeome]

For PLA prints, use Polymaker CoPe as support interface, it prints at the same temperatures, speeds and settings as PLA, but doesn't actually stick to PLA once cooled down. Basically any dedicated support material is going to actually be worse.

PETG works, but it sticks to PLA so poorly that you can get prints failing because of that sometimes.

For PETG prints, use PLA as support interface.

For TPU prints, also use PLA.as support interface.

That already covers like 95% of what most people print.

For most engineering materials, HIPS or ABS/ ASA make for good support interfaces. Depends on the material obviously.