Bambu Lab R1 Unboxing Review: A Thorough Experience with the 55W CO2 Laser Cutter and Engraver
Bambu Lab has entered the desktop laser cutting and engraving market with the R1, which combines automatic calibration, software integration, and a wide range of expansion accessories.
Bambu Lab R1 is the brand's first dedicated laser cutter and engraver. Its relatively compact body features a large working area, while various accessories expand the possibilities of what can be created.
The R1 uses a 55W CO2 laser and is capable of cutting and engraving materials such as wood, acrylic, and leather. With the proper settings, it can also engrave on glass surfaces.
Unlike the Bambu Lab H2 series 3D printers, which can be equipped with optional 10W or 40W diode laser modules, the R1 is a standalone device dedicated to laser processing. It offers different options in terms of working area, supported materials, and expansion accessories.
What is the Bambu Lab R1?
The R1 is a device designed by Bambu Lab exclusively for laser cutting and engraving. It is not a hybrid machine that combines 3D printing and laser processing.
Although it does not have 3D printing capabilities, its dedicated CO2 laser system, large working area, and automated design give it a clear place in the Bambu Lab product lineup.
Unboxing and Setup: An Automated Experience Typical of Bambu Lab
The R1 measures approximately 940 × 560 × 200 mm and weighs approximately 33.5 kg.
If you have set up a Bambu Lab 3D printer, you will likely find the R1's initial setup process familiar.
The basic steps involve opening the packaging, removing the zip ties and cushioning materials, installing the necessary accessories, and finally performing calibration.
Cooling System Setup
Before calibrating, fill the cooling water tank on the back of the R1 with the specified distilled water, following the manufacturer's instructions.
The package includes antifreeze and an instruction manual. Check whether antifreeze needs to be added based on the lowest expected temperature at the installation site, and whether the mixing ratio is correct.
Note: Follow the manufacturer's manual for the type of coolant, mixing ratio, and operating procedures. It is not recommended to replace the coolant with one that has not been verified for compatibility.
Automatic Calibration and Laser Alignment
R1 calibration includes motor encoder calibration, vibration compensation, motion accuracy calibration, and laser alignment.
To perform laser alignment, first attach the included laser alignment sensor to the side of the tool head, then start the automatic adjustment from the device's settings menu.
The tool head then moves according to the steps and returns to its initial position once complete. No manual adjustment of the optical path is required other than attaching the sensor and starting the process.
Body Layout and Working Area
The R1's exhaust fan housing is located at the rear left of the body, and the direction of the exhaust vent can be changed.
The body features an emergency stop button, job start/pause controls, a USB security key, and a USB-C port.
The working area is approximately 600 × 300 mm and includes a removable tray and a structure to support the workpiece.
The top cover has a built-in overhead camera that allows you to import images of the material into Bambu Suite. This makes it easier to align the processing position during the job preparation stage.
Bambu Lab R1 Laser Safety Design
When configured in the fully enclosed state specified by the manufacturer, the R1 is classified as a Class 1 laser product.
You can check the cutting and engraving process through the top cover. If the cover is detected as open during processing, the operation will pause.
The body also features an emergency stop button, and removing the security key can restrict unauthorized operation.
Laser safety note: The Class 1 classification applies only when the device is used in the fully enclosed configuration specified by the manufacturer. When accessories that change the protective conditions, such as a riser or conveyor, are attached, it may be used under Class 4 conditions. In such cases, you must follow the applicable laser safety standards and use protective eyewear that meets the required protection level for the laser's wavelength.
Regardless of the laser classification, ensure proper smoke extraction, avoid processing materials of unknown composition or hazardous materials, and always monitor the operation.
Bambu Suite and MakerWorld: From Design to Processing
The R1's main software operations use Bambu Suite on a Mac or Windows computer and Bambu Handy on a smartphone.
Bambu Suite
Load and edit designs, set processing methods, adjust laser parameters, preview material placement, and send jobs to the R1.
Bambu Handy
Check job status, processing progress, and time information from a smartphone, and monitor the device's status from a remote location.
On MakerWorld, you can find various laser cutting and engraving projects. Even users new to laser processing can easily find creative inspiration.
Actual Operation: Starting Laser Cutting with Your First Project
For those new to laser cutting or engraving, the Bambu Suite tutorial lowers the barrier to initial operation.
By linking the R1 to a Bambu account, you can learn various laser processing settings while creating a small ruler with various patterns following the guide.
Standard R1 Processing Steps
Load and Edit Design
Load the project into Bambu Suite, check the design, and make necessary edits.
Set Processing Method
Select line, fill, or cut according to the design, and adjust the respective laser parameters.
Place Material and Prepare for Processing
Place the material in the R1, and use the Suite's preparation feature to acquire the material's position and related information.
Preview and Alignment
Check the relationship between the design and the material using the overhead camera image, and adjust as necessary.
Send and Start Job
After checking the settings and safety conditions, send the job to the R1, close the top cover, and start processing.
Actual Cutting and Engraving Performance
When processing wood and acrylic sheets, the R1 achieves clean cut surfaces, and clean engraving results are obtained under proper settings.
Engraving on metal and glass surfaces can also achieve various finishes with proper material preparation and parameter settings. However, processing quality depends on the type of material, surface condition, laser output, and speed.
Test Output and Speed in Bambu Suite
Bambu Suite includes a parameter testing tool that allows you to set the range of laser output and processing speed and create tests for lines, fills, image engraving, and more.
For example, when processing 3 mm thick basswood, the engraving depth can vary greatly depending on the combination of output and speed.
Increasing the laser output at the same speed can make the engraving deeper, but it may also overburn the material.
Operating Tip: When changing the material type, thickness, or surface treatment, we recommend testing on a small area first and adjusting the parameters according to the actual results. Avoid applying settings from other materials directly.
Laser Cutting and 3D Printing: Differences in Production Efficiency
One of the advantages of laser cutting is that flat materials can be quickly processed into the desired shape.
In this unboxing review, the small ruler from the introductory tutorial was produced in a short time. Boxes made from wood boards or acrylic sheets may also take only a few minutes to process.
On the other hand, generally, more time is required to create a solid object of the same size in one piece using 3D printing.
However, laser cutting and 3D printing are suited for different designs. It is important to choose according to the structure of the piece, material requirements, and processing method.
Convenient Expansion Accessories for the Bambu Lab R1
In addition to the standard working area, the R1 can process materials of various sizes and shapes using expansion accessories.
Long Material Set
Long materials can be passed through the working area, supporting the processing of long materials up to approximately 3,000 mm. It is suitable for long wood boards and other supported materials.
Rotary Processing Set
It supports some cylindrical objects such as stainless steel tumblers and glass cups. You can set the rotary accessory in Bambu Suite and engrave.
When using long material accessories, risers, rotary accessories, and other accessories, please check the accessory compatibility, material clamping method, and device safety requirements.
Is the Bambu Lab R1 Worth Buying?
The appeal of the R1 is not just its 55W CO2 laser. The user experience provided by automatic calibration, software integration, material alignment, and expansion accessories is also a major feature.
For laser processing beginners, the Bambu Suite tutorial and MakerWorld projects help you quickly learn the basic cutting and engraving workflow.
For users who already have experience with laser processing, it provides a complete workflow as a dedicated machine and expands the processing range with accessories.
Who is the R1 Suitable For?
- Creators who want to start CO2 laser cutting and engraving.
- Users who frequently create works using materials such as wood and acrylic.
- Workshops that need a large working area or long material processing capability.
- Users who prioritize automatic calibration, software integration, and work efficiency.
- Teams that want to use rotary accessories to expand engraving applications to cylindrical items such as cups.
Review Conclusion: If you are looking for a device dedicated to laser cutting and engraving with a comprehensive software workflow and flexible expandability, the Bambu Lab R1 is a worthy option to consider.
Bambu Lab R1 Warranty and Repair
3DMart offers after-sales and repair services for Bambu Lab products. Please check the actual warranty period, plan details, and scope of coverage in your purchase order and 3DMart's latest warranty terms.
Extended Warranty Plan Services
If you purchase an eligible extended warranty plan, the services may include the following.
- Round-trip shipping service for the device.
- Device inspection service.
- Device repair service.
- 3DMart device collection arrangement, inspection and repair by an engineer, and return after completion.
The warranty plan and coverage are subject to the plan you actually purchased. If an abnormality occurs with the device, please first check and submit a request following 3DMart's after-sales procedures.
If there is an abnormality with the device, please check the 3DMart Repair Request Page or contact the service team from the 3DMart Contact Page.
For questions about operating instructions or purchases, you can contact us by email at client@3dmart.co.jp.