Right, let’s talk about what’s been happening in the 3D printing world over the past week or so, because there’s been quite a lot to unpack. I’ve been following these stories closely and a couple of them genuinely surprised me — particularly the Bambu Lab news, which felt like the end of a chapter I didn’t quite expect to close this soon.
Bambu Lab Pulls the Plug on the X1 Series
I’ll be honest — when I saw the announcement that Bambu Lab had officially discontinued the X1 series on 31 March 2026, my first reaction was “already?”. The X1 Carbon was barely four years old. But here we are. The X1, X1 Carbon, and X1E are all done — no more being manufactured, and any units you still see on shelves are leftover stock that won’t be restocked.
To be fair to Bambu, they haven’t just walked away from existing owners. There’s a pretty solid support roadmap in place: firmware updates running until May 2027, security patches until May 2029, and spare parts staying available all the way through to March 2031. That’s five years of parts support, which is genuinely more than most brands offer. So if you own an X1C, don’t panic — you’re not being left out in the cold.
What’s replacing it? Bambu is now pushing the P-series as its main lineup, with the Bambu Lab P2S sitting at the top as the “all-round workhorse” at around €749. It’s got a 5-inch touchscreen, AI-based failure detection, the upgraded PMSM servo extruder, and a 256 x 256 x 256 mm build volume. Having spent time with the P-series, I think it’s actually a cleaner machine in daily use than the X1 ever was — quieter, more consistent, and the software has matured a lot. Whether it’s worth the jump from an X1C you already own is another question entirely.
🛒 See the latest prices: Bambu Lab P2S on Amazon
Elegoo’s Centauri Carbon 2 Is Quietly Impressive
Meanwhile, Elegoo has been doing something interesting. The Centauri Carbon 2 Combo launched earlier this year at $449 and it’s been picking up real momentum in the community — and for good reason. The original Centauri Carbon was a solid machine let down by one glaring omission: no multicolour support. Elegoo have fixed that with the CC2 by adding their Canvas system, which lets you load up to four filament spools and run them through a single nozzle using PTFE tubes. It’s a similar approach to Bambu’s AMS Lite, and in testing it works well.
The other upgrades are worth mentioning too. The hotend now tops out at 350°C — that matters if you want to print with engineering filaments like PA-CF or PC. There’s AI print monitoring through the built-in camera (again, similar to what Bambu has been doing), and people are reporting it’s noticeably quieter than the original. Speeds up to 500 mm/s round things off nicely.
At CHF 425 here in Switzerland (or $449 in the US), the CC2 Combo is substantially cheaper than a Bambu P2S Combo. Is it as polished? Probably not. But for someone getting into multicolour printing for the first time and not wanting to spend P2S money, it’s a genuinely compelling option and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
🛒 Compare options: Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo on Amazon
Formlabs Goes Into the Service Game
This one caught my attention because it’s a bit of a different move. Formlabs — the company behind the Form series of resin printers — has launched Form Now, an on-demand print service. Upload your file, choose your material (SLS nylon, SLA resin, various options), and get your parts delivered within two days in the US.
Why does this matter? Because professional SLS printing has always been either expensive-machine-you-own or expensive-service-bureau territory. Formlabs are trying to cut out the awkward middle ground. It won’t suit everyone — if you’re printing consumer stuff at home, you don’t need it. But if you’re a small business, a product designer, or someone needing a handful of functional prototypes with proper tolerances, this could be genuinely useful. Worth bookmarking at now.formlabs.com.
RAPID + TCT: What Caught My Eye
The RAPID + TCT show has been running this week and as always there’s a lot of noise alongside the genuine announcements. Two things stood out to me. First, Snapmaker’s U1 — the latest in their line of multi-function machines (3D printing, CNC, laser engraving combined). The U1 has a more industrial feel than previous Snapmaker models, aimed at users who are serious about multi-process workflows rather than just occasional hobby use. Second, the jointly developed FilaDC I10 from SUNLU and Inslogic, which sits in that awkward but increasingly interesting gap between desktop FDM and entry-level industrial machines. More capable, more expensive, but targeting users who’ve outgrown standard desktop printers.
The broader picture from the show floor? Chinese manufacturers are genuinely closing the gap with Western brands, both on hardware quality and software. A few years ago you’d see a big difference. Now it’s subtler, and the price differential is still significant. That’s worth factoring in when you’re next buying.
Education Push from SPE and 3DSHQ
One quieter story that I think deserves a mention: the Society of Plastics Engineers has teamed up with 3D Supply Headquarters on an equipment grant programme aimed at expanding access to 3D printing in schools and educational institutions across the US. Hardware, materials, and technical support — it’s the kind of grassroots initiative that doesn’t generate big headlines but matters for the long term. More makers earlier = better industry overall.
So What Should You Actually Buy?
Based on everything this week, here’s how I’d break it down if you’re in the market:
- Best overall right now: Bambu Lab P2S — mature ecosystem, excellent software, reliable results. The benchmark other brands are chasing.
- Best value multicolour: Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo — saves you real money versus Bambu and delivers on four-colour printing without too much compromise.
- Best entry point into Bambu: Bambu Lab P1S — around $399 and still one of the best beginner-to-intermediate machines available today.
It’s been a genuinely busy couple of weeks in the hobby. Drop a comment below if you’ve got thoughts on the X1 retirement or if you’ve been looking at the CC2 — curious what people are thinking on both fronts.