3D Printing in 2025 | The Next Step

2024 was the year of multi-color printing. I said as much in 2023 that more of that would become a thing as a result of Bambu Lab smashing the market with their AMS color changing system and that only manufacturers would follow in suit. Printers will become plug and play and that would be that.

I also made another prediction...

These printers would become bigger and use these color changing systems.

Now we all expected Bambu Lab to launch the bigger version of the X1C. Meanwhile, companies like Anycubic and Creality we're busy making their own version of the AMS in the form of their ACE system and CFS systems respectively.

And then what happened?

Well, Creality launched their K2 Plus with CFS combo which is huge! I mean, this thing is like a mini fridge, and you can network up to 4 CFS systems and use 16 different colors at once. 350mmX350mmx350mm build volume [13.7in^3]. Enclosed of course. Now you can print whole helmets with different materials, colors, and the need to do any sanding and painting is now eliminated. But now that price tag $1499.99, which is comparable to the X1C, but can it do what the X1C can? In my opinion, no, but it is bigger so that's a step above Bambu Lab.

With all of that being said, and the point of why this PSA turned into a much longer post than I wanted, Anycubic has just announced it's K3 Max Combo with a pre-order of 600 Units being sold for $599 with retail prices being doubled that on Feb. 21st. But wait, hold your horses. If anything, if you've seen the Kobra Max, which is what I have, that's a monster. Adding the ACE system to do multicolor prints is a great idea, plus the speed, makes it formidable response to Creality and Bambu. However, it's not enclosed which drastically reduces the kinds of material you can use.

Also....

It's Anycubic.

Yes, I know I'm an affiliate with them and I would never mislead you guys to make a buck. You know that. I tread carefully when dealing with Anycubic because their products are super cheap and that's for a reason. As I said in my Kobra 3 Video, Anycubic is notorious for using stock parts that wear down faster than other printer parts which leaves you having to spend more money in just maintaining it. Not to mention the nightmares I've seen with the Kobra 3 in groups ranging from massive clogs to legit fires. Luckily, I haven't experienced any of that. At most, I had a piece of filament stuck in the extruder than I had to disassemble to get out, which I knew would happen at some point, but the thing to keep in mind, and don't let the $600 price tag get in your head, is that THOSE WILL BE MOST LIKELY TEST UNITS which is probably why people who snagged their Kobra 3 Early are having the issues I'm seeing. It gave Anycubic a chance to hit the market, address and fix any issues any users may have experienced as well make the uses easier for future users.

I've worked in production and manufacturing and that first batch of units are usually the faulty ones. 

My point is that Anycubic is a budget hobbiest dream. A 13.7in^3 build volume with color changing combo for half the price? Even at full price you're getting it at $500 less than the K2 Max and the X1C, sign me up! But know, that is for a reason.

Now, to be fair, I got my Kobra 3 back in October, I have addressed all the design choices in my video having played with the X1C since June, so I'm hoping that Anycubic fixed those design issues with the upgraded Max. Their print head is state of the art, their system is legit and so far, it's proven to be a pretty good printer. I have it hulking away now, BUT I'm still cautiously optimistic and I pick and choose what materials to throw in there to avoid clogging and other issues.

With all of that being said, Anycubic will be launching their K3 Max with ACE Combo in about 8 Days for their early bird prices. I'm assuming that they won't ship until Q1 of next year though. If anyone is interested, and you've thought about what I said, use my affiliate link in the Pinned Post, I doubt the coupon code will work for the $25 off just FYI

Would love to hear your thoughts on the matter and what you see coming down the pike in 2025. And should I do a video about what's to come with 3D Printing in 2025 expanding on what I just said? Let me know.