A1 Mini Plate Handle

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!!!GCODE MODIFICATION IS REQUIRED TO KEEP HANDLE ATTACHED TO BUILD PLATE DURING OPERATION!!!

PRINTING WITH THE HANDLE ATTACHED AND WITHOUT MODIFYING THE GCODE COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE PRINTER !!!

 

GCODE MODIFICATION IS NOT REQUIRED IF ONLY USED WHILE CLEANING BUILD PLATE

 

Tired of cleaning your A1 Mini build plate and worrying about touching the surface with your fingers? Never worry again with this handle that stays attached to your build plate at all times…even during operation.

 

There are (3) separate print profiles. One is for mounting to the Textured PEI Plate/Cold Plate SuperTack another is for mounting to the Smooth PEI Plate and the last is for the pin/plugs and inserts so that you can print in any color variation.

 

Ensure you are printing the correct print profile for your plate as there is a difference in thickness between build plates.

 

I found it best to print on a Smooth PEI plate with glue and brim since this was arranged to print at an angle with no supports to make the layer lines not run in the direction of the forces applied when removing the plate.

 

Assembly

Install Inserts (Optional)

The inserts can remain in place by themselves when pushed into their respective openings but I applied a tiny bit of glue to ensure they remained in place. It is up to you if you want the inserts, they are only there for cosmetic purposes.

 

Slide onto build plate

Slide over the end of your plate aligning openings with the openings of the build plate.

 

Attach Build Plate !!!MODIFY GCODE TO LEAVE ATTACHED DURING OPERATION!!!

Insert the matching pin/plugs into their openings…I tapped them in with a rubber mallet. The pin/plugs are necessary for attachment to the plate. The pin/plugs are not to be glued for removal from plate if desired/needed or if you don't want to modify your gcode to leave the handle attached. If the gcode isn't modified remove the handle before printing by pushing the pin/plugs out and only use to handle the plate while washing.

 

Your handle is complete

 

GCODE MODIFICATION

The machine start gcode must be modified in (5) locations to print while the handle is attached. Failure to modify gcode could result in damage to your printer. These modifications are very minor and do not increase print time. The changes made were to travel in X and Y axis separately instead of in one motion when traveling to and from the calibration lines. This ensures clearance to the handle. 

 

UNMODIFIED GCODE

MODIFIED GCODE (EXAMPLE OF 1 TRAVEL CHANGE)

In the documentation is a PDF for each nozzle diameter with the full machine start gcode to copy and paste (created each assuming there are differences in gcode between nozzle diameters). The (5) travel changes are highlighted in the PDF's along with a comment in parentheses to mark location of change. The X and Y moves were in the same line and I separated  them into 2 lines.

 

It is recommended to remove the default printer presets afterwards to prevent accidental use of a preset without the modified gcode with the handle attached.

COPY & PASTE OPTION FOR MAKING GCODE MODIFICATION

(USE IF YOUR MACHINE START GCODE DOES NOT HAVE YOUR OWN MODIFICATIONS)

Download the PDF, copy and paste the entire document replacing the machine start gcode. Save the preset with the naming you desire (I added “- Handle” on the end). Do this for each nozzle diameter.

MANUAL OPTION FOR MAKING GCODE MODIFICATION

(USE IF YOUR MACHINE START GCODE HAS YOUR OWN MODIFICATIONS)

Download or view the PDF, find the highlighted gcode modifications and make the modifications. There are (5) travel changes highlighted.

 

This option is more difficult than the copy & paste option since it isn't easy to find the specific lines of gcode in Bambu Studio. Use this option if you have modified gcode that you don't want to loose by pasting over the entire gcode.

 

Reviewed in Bambu Studio and currently in use on my A1 Mini

The model of the handle was added to the build plate in Bambu Studio in both possible orientations (plate flipped on both sides) to confirm clearance to the handle. Multiple prints have been completed successfully while closely watching and confirming there is no contact between the nozzle and handle.

 

To check and confirm yourself, you can turn on visibility of travel in the sliced file and see there is no travel through the handle since it is difficult to see in the image provided due to the travel lines being a dark blue color with the black build plate behind them.

 

Enjoy the handle, it has made things easier for myself completely eliminating the possibility of failed prints from accidentally touching the plate after washing.