There are not many Bibo 3D printer reviewers around so we decided to fill the gap. This printer is also known as Bibo 2 Touch Laser. It was initially launched on Amazon circa 2016 and has garnered a lot of respect. This has a lot to do with this Touch Laser’s apparent popularity and as of now, there are literally hundreds of really positive reviews on this printer.
In fact, it has also been known to make regular appearances on the Amazon megastore’s top bestseller listings.
Of course, at least some of the Bibo 3D printer reviews have to be taken with a grain of salt. However, there is no getting around the fact that this printer has dual extrusion capabilities. Throw in an add-on laser engraving module and all of this at an under $800 price tag and you can see why people are so enamored by this BIBO 3D printer.
At theory at least, it looks too good for words, but in this Bibo 3D printer review, we will check and see if the name lives up to the hype or not.
Bibo 3D Printer Review
When you see a Bibo 3D printer up close and personal for the very first time, you will be taken in by it its attractive and sturdy frame. As well you should be since it is made of an approximately 6 mm thick high-density aluminum composite panel.
You will see how important that frame is once you start using this printer regularly. It adds a whole lot of stability to the printer design, thus giving you very precise and crisp prints.
It also has a singularly appealing enclosed structure that is equipped with an acrylic lid and door. You can rest assured that even difficult filaments such as ABS that typically require a high degree of controlled temperature would do just fine, throughout the print process.
Add to that the fact that the Bibo 3D printer is also pretty compact and both looks and fit a desktop just right. It occupies around 467 x 357 x 374 mm of total cubic space and weighs approximately 16 kilos or so. All in all, this is one heck of a nice-looking machine.
Dual Extruder and Laser Engraving Combo
The laser engraver module can be availed either as a separate add-on or alternately it can also be bundled with the printer itself. The 0.5W laser engraving tool head has the capacity to expand the Bibo printer’s capabilities. It will easily allow you to not just engrave wood and cut paper but also felt, cardboard and other materials of a similar nature.
Here, it is pertinent to note that the Bibo 3D printer dual extruder laser engraving combo is not part of the original printer package and is supplied separately by the company. This is why it needs must be installed at the point where the extruders have been located.
It can be connected to one of the dual extruder cooling fans. The laser engraver software as well as a safety glasses set is part of the laser engraving kit and once you understand the procedure and install the add-on on the 3D printer, you can start engraving straight away.
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Bibo Dual Extruder Setup
The Bibo 3D printer’s main claim to fame is its dual extruders set up. It has been suitably well-equipped with two hotends that are both installed sitting side by side on the same print head. This is an excellent arrangement that effectively allows you to use two entirely different materials for the same build or print.
From retaining the ability to print highly complex geometries via water-soluble PVA material all the way to creating two-tone color to even multi-material prints, your Bibo 3D printer will do it all.
Actually, its dual extrusion system as well as a near completely closed chamber allows this printer to effectively process a very large array of commonly available materials. These include HIPS, PLA, PETG, ABS, and various other flexible materials and filaments.
Build Plate
The good people are Bibo insist that their machines are shipped with a level build plate. They calibrate it at the factory and carefully check it before they ship the Bibo 2. This means that you won’t have to so much as touch any of the three bed leveling knobs that are part of the control setup of this printer.
The thing is that aligning tandem hot-ends, and at the same time leveling both of them to an acceptable degree is a very challenging task, to say the least. This is why it’s a really thoughtful gesture on behalf of the good people at Bibo that they have done this beforehand,
However, in case you have to do a spot of leveling on your own, no need to worry. The printer boasts of an assisted leveling feature that turns the print head at various points on the print bed. This way you will be able to adjust the nozzle gap as per your own exacting requirements.
The Bibo 2 3D machine is also equipped with a filament run-out detection system as well as power out recovery mode in case there is a power outage. This way your 3D printer will continue to print right where it had left off once the power comes back on. Both of these features are standard fare for the Bibo 2 3D printer.
Print Quality
During trial runs there have been a few issues and problems regarding the second extruder hindering or coming in the way during the 3D printing process.
This holds particularly true when only one extruder is in use. However, this is not a big issue as such and it can easily and conveniently be corrected by the simple expedient of using standard best practices for oozing avoidance. In fact, the duel extruders are a great aid in improving quality. 3D printing quality is also enhanced by a glass bed too.
Apart from that, as far as the overall print quality and build size is concerned, this printer is both smooth and also very accurate. Since it is primarily an FDM machine, printing speed is not that much of a problem. It prints at a very fast speed, while the extra extruder also aids in increasing the overall speed of this machine.
As a matter of fact, even really complex geometries can now be easily printed with the help of the dual extruders set up of this 3D printer. You just need to follow the instruction manual and take care of all proper printing practices in order to get the best possible results.
Let us take a look at the technical specifications of this printer:
Tech Specs
- Assembly: Partially assembled
- Manufacturer: Shaoxing Bibo Automatic Equipment Co
- Mechanical arrangement: Cartesian XY-head
- Year: 2019
- Technology: Fused deposition modeling (FDM)
- Country of origin: China
3d Printing Properties
- Print head: Dual nozzle
- Build volume: 214 x 186 x 160 mm
- Feeder system: Direct drive
- Maximum heated bed temperature: 100 ℃
- Nozzle size: 0.4 mm
- Maximum hot end temperature: 270 ℃
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
- Print bed material: Glass
- Frame: Aluminum
- Bed leveling: Manual
- Print recovery option: Yes
- Filament detection sensor: Yes
- Connectivity: SD card slot, WI-FI, and USB slot capability
- Camera: Not available
Filaments and Materials
- Total filament diameter: 1.75 mm
- Filament materials: Consumer materials (PLA, ABS, PETG, Flexibles)
- Third-party filament: Yes
Software
- Recommended slicer: Cura, Repetier-Host Simplify3D
- Operating system: Windows, Linux, Mac OSX,
- File types: AMF STL, OBJ
Dimensions and Weight
- Weight: 16 kg
- Overall frame dimensions: 467 x 357 x 374 mm
Pros
- The BIBO 3D printer is very versatile and it uses everyday materials for your prints
- It has an automatic function though which it detects whenever its filament spool runs out
- Its dual extruders cut down total printing time by half
- This printer can 3D print multiple copies simultaneously
- Seamless wifi connectivity
- Very easy to use touch screen interface
Cons
- This is not the ideal 3D printer for novices
- Initial assembly time can be very long
- The Bibo 3D printer manual is not very comprehensive
- Online support is available but it is not dependable 24/7
Who it’s good for
If you want a machine that is absolutely loaded with every bell and whistle as well as value-added features, this is the machine for you. It has everything from a smart AI filament detection system all the way to Wi-Fi controls.
The Bibo printer even allows you to check up on your 3D printing even when you are in an entirely different city!
It does not matter if you are a semi-professional or an ardent hobbyist looking for that perfect 3D printer. This machine’s smartphone application will help you to make sure that you are in control all the time, regardless of the geographic distance.
Throw in the dual extruder system, the laser engraving capability, and superior printing quality and you will see why this machine is so good for you.
Who is it not good for
When it comes to budget 3D printers, this is almost certainly not going to be the first machine to come to mind. It is a pretty expensive rig and not meant for people who are new to the 3D printing game.
It is not easy for a newbie to operate this sophisticated piece of machinery. This is due to the fact that you will need a certain amount of experience before you will be in a position to utilize this machine to its optimum capacity.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that this is one extremely versatile machine printer. You can use to make amazingly lifelike 3D objects by using commonly available materials. In fact, you can also use wood, leather, plastic paper, and other things with the BIBO Dual Extruder 3D printer.
Finally, it is pretty easy to operate if you have the expertise of using advanced 3D printers of a similar type.
