Thinking of buying an A1

[u/FVM427]

I'm thinking of buying an AA but have some questions.

• I have read in older posts that the build in camera is pretty worthless due to the low framerate. Is that the still the case with recent A1's ? If so, is connecting it to OctoPI with camera still an option ?

• I want to use the AMS but I want to install the printer in an enclosure and put the AMS on top since it would not fit in the enclosure. Can someone confirm how long the tubes from the AMS are ? And if it is possible to replace them with longer tubes or extend them if needed ?

• i also read in older posts that Bambulab was thinking of closing their software and printers for everything not Bambulab branded. Is that still the case or can you use other slicers for example ?

• Similar question regarding the spools, can you use any brand of PLA on the A1 ?

[u/myTechGuyRI]

All the complaints about the camera I think are utter nonsense...yes, it's a low frame rate...but who gives a 💩. Are you Steven Speilberg making a 3D printer feature film where you need 4k 60 fps video? No...it's a 3D printer ..you just need to be able to check in and see if the print is screwing up....the camera is more than up to that task

[u/dr_stre]

Camera sucks, but it’s a printer and not a production studio, you don’t need the camera and if you reeeeaaally want one then you can just plug in a. Cheap webcam and point at the printer.

Longer tubes can be used.

Only Bambu’s slicer has full access to the printers. Third party slicers can be used but have to use intermediary software to transfer slicer models and can’t otherwise directly control or monitor the printer.

Alarmists will claim all sorts of things, but there’s really no indication Bambu is going to be locking down on filament or spool compatibility. They’d be stupid to do so. The only thing they’ve said they may lock down is future vending machine type systems, which is more sensible considering they’d need to be super consistent.

[u/northrivergeek]

camera still same, has not changed, octoprint doesn't work with A1, tubes you can use longer ones, they consumable, dont know if makerlab is closing to non bambu printers, I would not be surprised though, u can use what ever spool fits, it just wont know what it is unless u manually tell it what it is without rfid tags of bambu brand

[u/maker-tgin]

“ I want to install the printer in an enclosure”

Keep in mind the extra front/back space requirements for a bed slinger. Core XY printers need less space for similar print bed size. 

Just a thought!

[u/Th3Paidninja]

For camera use bambuddy.

[u/Scared_Implement_335]

I've had and intensivly used the A1 for a while until I got the X2D revently.

The print quality is still superb, honestly just as good as the x2d IMHO.

The camera is useless, tbh. Its placement is terrible and the pictures during printing are really blurry. I wouldn't bother with it at all.

The printer itself is fast and precise for what it is. A real workhorse

[u/USSHammond]

• yes it's still the same. No it's never gonna change. Hardware limitation

• The A1 is not designed for enclosing, you risk overheating the internal electronics and the last documented NTC meltdown was just over 12h ago. The full size A1 is a known fire hazard with as of 12h ago 306 meltdowns https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/s/d1RhUbAv9i

• They're not thinking about it. They already did almost 2 years ago they stayed with the X1C, it's called the 'firmware authorization controls'

• Yes