3D Printing Digest - February 13, 2026
Published
Bambu Lab officially announced end-of-production for the P1P, committing to firmware updates through November 2027 and spare parts through February 2031. Creality launched the K2 and K2 Pro with dual AI cameras and true multi-material support (beyond just color switching). Josef Prusa personally took command of Printed Solid after the CEO's exit, signaling aggressive expansion of Prusa's North American manufacturing presence.
Bambu Lab Officially Ends P1P Production, Commits to 5-Year Support
Bambu Lab has confirmed that the P1P, the open-frame printer that kickstarted its mid-range lineup, is being discontinued. Despite ending manufacturing, the company has published a detailed support timeline: firmware updates until mid-November 2027, critical security patches until November 2029, and spare parts availability guaranteed through February 2031. The P1S and upcoming P2S will absorb the mid-range segment.
This is how you sunset a product. Instead of quietly killing the P1P, Bambu published exact dates for each support phase. This moves sets a new standard in the consumer 3D printer market where companies historically just stop updating firmware with no warning. The 5-year spare parts commitment is particularly important for schools and businesses that factored in a multi-year lifecycle when purchasing. Current P1P owners should stock up on consumables (hotend assemblies, heatbeds) before 2031, but otherwise their machines are fully supported.
💡What this means for you
P1P support timeline: Firmware updates → Nov 2027. Security patches → Nov 2029. Spare parts → Feb 2031. P1S ($499) and P2S (TBA) take over mid-range. P1P AMS compatibility maintained.
Market Position: Removes the budget entry point from Bambu's lineup. Signals the company is moving upmarket, leaving the sub-$400 space to Elegoo and Creality. The P1S at $399 (current sale) becomes the new floor.
- Will Bambu release a direct P1P replacement at a lower price point?
- Impact on P1P resale values — will they hold or crash?
- Whether the open-frame design philosophy continues in future models
⏸️ Wait if: You were considering a P1P — get the P1S instead, it's nearly the same price now
✅ Buy if: You need a tinkerable, open-frame Bambu at a discount before remaining stock runs out
Creality K2 and K2 Pro Launch with Dual AI Cameras and Multi-Material
Creality has unveiled the K2 and K2 Pro, expanding the K Series with true multi-material capabilities that go beyond simple color switching. Both models feature dual AI cameras for real-time print monitoring and failure detection. The K2 Pro supports four material slots with an intelligent purge system that Creality claims reduces waste by 35% compared to standard purge towers. Pricing starts at $599 for the K2 and $899 for the K2 Pro.
Creality is no longer chasing Bambu — they're trying to leapfrog them. The dual AI camera system (one focused on the nozzle, one on the full bed) is a genuine innovation that Bambu's single-camera systems don't match. True multi-material support (mixing TPU with PLA, for example, not just multi-color PLA) opens up functional prototyping that was previously limited to $3K+ machines. The 35% purge reduction claim needs independent testing, but if validated, it addresses the biggest cost complaint about multi-material printing.
💡What this means for you
K2: CoreXY, 500mm/s, 2 AI cameras, 4-color CFS system, $599. K2 Pro: Same + multi-material support (PLA/PETG/TPU mixing), intelligent purge optimization (35% less waste claimed), $899. Both fully enclosed with HEPA filtration.
Market Position: Directly competing with Bambu Lab P1S ($499) and upcoming A1 multicolor ($399). The K2 Pro's multi-material angle gives it a unique selling point that Bambu hasn't addressed yet.
- Real-world purge waste reduction vs the claimed 35%
- Dual AI camera accuracy for failure detection
- Slicer compatibility — is Creality Print required or does it work with OrcaSlicer?
⏸️ Wait if: You're happy with single-material printing and don't need multi-material
✅ Buy if: You want multi-material functional prototyping at a fraction of the cost of industrial machines
Josef Prusa Takes Command of Printed Solid for US Manufacturing Push
In a surprise move, Prusa Research CEO Josef Prusa has taken personal, operational command of Printed Solid after the American company's CEO departed in early February. Printed Solid, a key manufacturing hub for Prusa hardware in North America, is being repositioned as the center of Prusa's US expansion. Prusa has stated his goal is to become 'the largest 3D printer and filament manufacturer in the U.S.'
This is a tectonic shift. Prusa has been the 'European indie darling' of 3D printing, but this move signals a direct challenge to Bambu Lab's dominance in the US market. By taking personal control of US manufacturing, Prusa can offer faster delivery, local warranty service, and potentially US-made Prusament filament. The timing is strategic: with Bambu facing growing distrust over data privacy concerns and Creality's HQ in China, a 'Made in USA' Prusa could capture the enterprise and education segments that care about supply chain provenance.
💡What this means for you
Prusa Research acquiring operational control of Printed Solid (location: US East Coast). Expected outcomes: local CORE One assembly, US Prusament production, faster warranty fulfillment. Bondtech INDX 8-material upgrade expected Q1 2026.
Market Position: Prusa currently holds ~8% US market share vs Bambu Lab's estimated 35%. US manufacturing could help capture enterprise, government, and education contracts that require domestic sourcing.
- Will US-assembled machines carry a price premium?
- Timeline for US Prusament filament production
- Impact on Printed Solid's existing retail/distribution business
⏸️ Wait if: You don't care about manufacturing origin and just want the best specs-per-dollar
✅ Buy if: You value open-source hardware, want US-based support, or are buying for institutional use
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I still buy a Bambu Lab P1P?▼
Only if you find one at a significant discount and want its open-frame tinkering capability. Otherwise, the P1S at its current $399 price is a better buy with an enclosed design, better noise isolation, and a longer production support window.
What makes the Creality K2 Pro different from the K1C?▼
The K2 Pro adds true multi-material printing (not just multi-color), dual AI cameras, and an intelligent purge system. The K1C is a single-material workhorse focused on speed and carbon fiber compatibility. Choose the K2 Pro for material versatility, K1C for focused production.
Why does Prusa taking over Printed Solid matter?▼
It signals Prusa's shift from European niche brand to global competitor. US-based manufacturing means faster shipping, domestic warranty service, and eligibility for institutional contracts requiring American-sourced equipment.