How to Turn Your Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D Printer Into a Print Factory

A Bambu Lab A1 Mini sits on a desk, humming along as it completes job after job with no one there to observe. Most people regard it as a convenient, compact 3D printer ideal for creating prototypes or fun models at home. When you add one easy accessory, this machine transforms into your very own personal production line.

People are constantly talking about increasing their 3D printing income by running large farms of machines that are all independent of one another. Another option to cut expenses and preserve space is to use a single printer for long, unattended print sessions. Chitu Systems’ PlateCycler C1M has transformed how you may use your A1 Mini to accomplish exactly that.

This device, which costs $79.99 and includes four double-sided PEI build plates as a free bonus, attaches onto the rear of your A1 Mini by a simple mechanical attachment, requiring no additional electronics or cabling. It is fully dependent on the printer’s existing movement and just requires a few simple g-code commands added via a web app or software given by Chitu.

Getting it all set up is simple; simply insert a couple brackets and grabbers into the back and front of your printer and you’re ready to go. You get a spring-loaded holder at the back where you can stack up to 10 or 12 plates, depending on how you’ve configured it, and then the printer’s bed does the rest; after each print is completed, it moves in a smooth sequence to lift out the used plate, swap it out for a fresh one, and start all over again. It’s smooth and works entirely on its own; the user simply loads the plates, and the printer continues to run for days. If the filament runs out, the printer just stops, waits patiently for a fresh roll to be loaded, and then resumes precisely where it left off.

One test printed squares over 12 plates overnight without a single hitch (save for a little adjustment). Multi-colored prints have also become easier, as you simply separate the colors across various plates, and with the AMS Lite, you can change out the filament as needed, rather than in the middle of the print. That’s when the real savings begin, since by not needing to shift colors in the middle of a print, you significantly reduce waste. A complex model, such as a multi-part figure with many distinct colors, becomes simple to print by simply placing each layer group on its own plate and letting the printer handle the rest.

Now, as the prints are ejected, a few wasted prints will fall to the floor, so it’s a good idea to have a soft catch tray or bin in place to catch them before they fall. However, before the plates run out, you can simply pop in a few minutes to remove the finished prints, clean the plates, and pop in a new set. That’s all, as the printer will continue to run day after day as long as there is filament and someone remembers to refill it.
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