CREALTY HI COMBO VS BAMBULAB A1 COMBO - Cual es mejor?

Bambulab A1 Combo vs. Creality High: Is There Real Competition?

Introduction to Bambulab A1 Combo

• In December 2023, Bambulab launched the A1 combo printer, noted for its competitive pricing, appealing design, and a new AMS module enabling four-color printing.

• The A1 Combo quickly became a top recommendation due to its affordability, user-friendliness for beginners, and reliability in multi-color printing.

Current Market Landscape

• As of April 2025, competition has emerged from Creality, a long-established company in the market. The video aims to evaluate whether their new model is an improvement or merely a copy of the A1 Combo.

• Viewers are eager to know if there’s serious competition for the seemingly unbeatable A1 and how both models compare in terms of value.

Content Creator's Journey

• The creator expresses gratitude towards their growing subscriber base (180,000), reflecting on their journey from hobbyist to professional content creator with improved production quality.

Video Focus: Comparison Not Review

• This video will focus on comparing the Creality High with the Bambulab A1 rather than providing a full review of either printer.

• Initial impressions suggest that while both printers appear similar at first glance, there are significant differences worth exploring.

Discussion on Clones in 3D Printing

• The creator discusses how many printers in the industry are copies of successful models (e.g., Prusa and Ender 3), which can be beneficial as it drives innovation among brands.

• While clones may seem controversial, they often lead to improvements in technology as companies strive to outdo each other.

Key Specifications Comparison

• The first notable difference between the two printers is their print area; Creality High offers slightly larger dimensions compared to the cubic volume of Bambulab A1.

3D Printer Comparison: CFS vs AMS Lite

Overview of Print Volume and Design Features

• The printer has a slightly larger print volume, which is more significant than its minimal height difference.

• The CFS module, similar to the AMS module from Creality, includes improvements like better filament grip due to upgraded springs that reduce print failures.

• The A1 and A1 Mini models utilize an AMS Lite system designed specifically for those machines, differing from existing AMS systems.

Differences Between CFS and AMS Lite

• The AMS Lite lacks humidity protection; it does not actively dry out filament but prevents moisture absorption when properly sealed.

• Color changes in the CFS require longer extrusion times due to a single Teflon tube compared to the four tubes in the AMS Lite, leading to slower color transitions.

• Each color change in the CFS involves retracting more filament (up to 1 meter), while the A1 only requires about 10 cm retraction.

Performance Insights

• The AMS Lite operates quieter than the CFS, making it preferable for multi-color printing despite some advantages of the latter's design.

• The CFS can connect up to four modules using a factory-installed hub, allowing for greater material variety compared to the A1's limitation of one module.

Future Developments and Comparisons

• Bambulab's new H2D printer will feature an active filament dryer with compatibility updates planned for existing models by late 2025.

• While both printers have their strengths, if the CFS were an active dryer, it would be significantly superior; however, its current function is limited.

Assembly and User Experience

• Both printers are easy to assemble; however, assembly on the Creality High is slightly simpler but not drastically different from other models.

• Beginners will find both printers manageable without prior experience; they are designed with user-friendliness in mind.

Extruder and Hotend Specifications

Extruder and Nozzle Insights

Extruder Specifications

• The extruder of the machine is not reinforced, while the nozzle (Capricorn type) is reinforced. The two gears in the extruder are made of base metal, limiting its ability to print abrasive materials.

• Light carbon fiber may be used, but super abrasive materials that could damage the extruder are not recommended. Despite this, the double extruder design with magnetic filament cutting is noted as a strong feature.

Comparison with A1 Model

• The A1 model features a simpler single gear extruder which may have less traction compared to double gear systems like those in other models. However, it still performs well.

• The hot part of the machine has a shorter length than that of higher-end models, resulting in less plastic flow per second. This difference affects printing speed but does not significantly hinder performance.

Nozzle Change and Heating Efficiency

Nozzle Change Mechanism

• Changing nozzles on this machine is quick (10-15 seconds), whereas other models require more time for manual changes. This efficiency can be beneficial for users who frequently switch nozzles.

Heating and Leveling Performance

• Although this machine heats up quickly due to its ceramic HTEN nozzle, automatic leveling takes longer (around 15 minutes). In contrast, another model levels faster but takes longer to heat up overall.

Stepper Motors and Print Quality

Motor Technology

• The high-end model uses advanced FC-type stepper motors similar to those found in K2 Plus printers. These motors provide smoother operation, reduced noise, and improved energy efficiency.

• While there may not be an immediate noticeable difference between motor types today, long-term performance suggests that machines with FC motors will operate better over time.

User Interface and Software Experience

Screen and Usability

• Both machines have similar interface screens; however, the A1's screen is slightly larger and more user-friendly for individuals with larger hands.

Software Functionality

• At a hardware level, both machines are comparable; however, Bambulab's software offers a more polished experience compared to Creality’s app. Users feel more empowered using Bambulab’s app due to its aesthetic quality.

Slicing Software Recommendations

Slicer Options

3D Printer Software Comparison

Overview of 3D Printing Software

• Bambulab utilizes Bambú Studio, which is a derivative of Prusa Slicer and Orca Slicer, indicating a trend in software development among 3D printing companies.

• The speaker expresses dissatisfaction with Creality Print, describing it as slow and buggy compared to other slicers like Orca Slicer and Bambú Studio.

User Experience Insights

• Bambú Studio is praised for its polished interface and user-friendly experience, enhancing the overall satisfaction of using the printer.

• For users who prefer alternatives or face issues with Creality Print, Orca Slicer is recommended due to its additional features and superior performance.

Community Engagement and Learning Resources

• The speaker announces a raffle for three Creality H printers on April 15th for members of their Telegram community, encouraging engagement.

• Membership in the Telegram group includes access to courses on 3D design and printing from scratch, emphasizing educational support for users transitioning to Orca Slicer.

Performance Testing Between Printers

Practical Testing Methodology

• The discussion shifts towards practical tests comparing print speeds between different printers using volumetric speed metrics.

• A test was conducted using different colored filaments (green for Bambulab A1 and black for Creality High), noting that while not identical, they were from the same brand.

Results of Speed Tests

• The Bambulab A1 achieved a volumetric speed of 19 mm³/s while the Creality High reached 22 mm³/s, indicating better performance in filament output.

• Higher acceleration capabilities were noted for the Creality High at 12,000 compared to Bambulab's maximum of 8,000. This suggests significant differences in potential print speeds under optimal conditions.

Conclusion on Performance Metrics

• While both printers can achieve similar common speeds (up to 250 mm/s), the difference in acceleration rates implies that Creality High may offer faster prints under certain conditions.

Comparison of 3D Printing Techniques

Overview of Print Speed and Quality

• The speaker discusses the speed difference between two printers, noting that while one is faster, the exact speed in normal prints remains unclear.

• Two prints were compared: one from Bambo Studio with default settings and another from Creality Print using stock settings. Both used pastel pink Hellbot filament.

• The supports used in each print differed; Bambo Studio's organic supports were easier to remove than Creality's stronger tree-type supports, which caused some parts to break during removal.

Print Quality Assessment

• Despite differences in support types, the final finish of both prints was nearly identical, except for minor damage on the Creality print due to difficult support removal.

• The total printing time varied significantly: Bambo A1 took approximately 13 hours and 57 minutes, while Creality High took about 13 hours and 2 minutes—resulting in a notable 55-minute difference.

Multi-color Printing Challenges

• The speaker highlights multi-color printing as a critical topic. They printed around 40 or 50 Ratatouille keychains on the Creality High over a span of 30 hours without issues initially.

• Problems arose during subsequent multi-color prints due to filament not closing properly within the AMS system, causing it to vibrate and get stuck when low on filament.

Filament Issues During Color Changes

• When printing with an open lid due to filament issues, if low on material, it can cause interruptions but does not ruin the print; the printer pauses instead.

• A significant issue occurred when filament leaked into a hook during color changes. This led to failures in multi-color printing despite successful single-color outputs.

Resolution of Filament Leakage Problem

3D Printing Comparison: Bambulab A1 vs. Creality High

Initial Setup and Filament Issues

• The speaker used regular packing tape to fix a problem with filament leaking, which resulted in scratches but did not affect functionality.

• After resolving the leakage issue, the machine printed well, leading to a comparison of two cow models printed on both machines using the same filament.

Print Quality Assessment

• The cows printed without supports showed poor overhang quality; however, the A1 produced perfect prints despite this.

• Different software was tested (Creality Print and Bambu Studio), revealing that Bambu Studio performed better than Creality Print, which had issues like black residue on one of the cows.

Software Performance and Issues

• The black residue issue was noted as something that could be fixed through software updates, similar to past experiences with another model.

• Despite some minor flaws in multi-color printing on the A1, it generally performed well; however, there were concerns about potential leaks from the AMS system.

Waste Material Analysis

• The Bambulab A1 wasted less filament (315g for two cows), while Creality High wasted more (345g), indicating a significant difference in efficiency.

• The waste percentage was concerning for Creality High as it consumed nearly 10% more material than the A1 during printing.

Speed and Efficiency Comparison

• Time taken for printing revealed that Creality High was faster overall despite needing longer retraction distances during color changes.

• The total print time for two cows on Creality High was approximately 20 hours and 54 minutes compared to 21 hours and 59 minutes on Bambulab A1—almost a two-hour difference.

Conclusion on Multi-color Printing Capabilities

3D Printer Comparison: Which One Should You Buy?

Overview of Machine Performance

• The multi-color printer yields better results but takes longer; issues with black color are expected to be resolved via software updates.

• The speaker sells both machines and emphasizes a sincere opinion, stating that the choice should depend on what is truly worth it for the buyer.

Recommendations Based on User Experience

• For users uninterested in multi-color printing, either machine performs well, but the "high" model is preferred due to speed and fewer issues related to single-color printing.

• The "high" model is cheaper, newer, and has superior components; thus, it's recommended for those focused solely on single-color prints.

Software Considerations

• Users are advised to learn Orca Slicer instead of Creality Print for better performance; using poor software can hinder printing efficiency.

• Beginners should opt for the A1 combo printer due to its user-friendly software (Bambo Studio), which simplifies the 3D printing process compared to more complex options.

Beginner vs. Experienced User Needs

• Bambo Studio's ease of use makes it ideal for beginners; troubleshooting and maintenance are simpler than with other models.

• For experienced users or those with multiple printers, the "high" model may be preferable due to its potential for customization and improved output quality.

Personal Insights and Community Feedback

• The speaker shares personal preferences based on experience with different printers, highlighting that enjoyment in tinkering can influence purchasing decisions.

Video Summary Engaging Content and Subscriber Milestones

Channel Updates and Engagement

• The speaker expresses excitement about nearing 200,000 subscribers, highlighting the growth of their channel as "complete madness."

• Viewers are encouraged to subscribe for more content, indicating a focus on community building and viewer engagement.

• A mention of courses available in the video description suggests an effort to provide educational resources alongside entertainment.

• The speaker announces a raffle for three reality shows scheduled for April 15th, creating urgency for viewers to participate before the deadline.