A1-mini Bed Changer Kit Assembly & Setup

How Automatic Bed Swapping Works on the Bambu A1-mini

Automatic bed clearing is a process that lets your printer remove the used build plate from the printer and replace it with an empty one after each print.

Once the print finishes, the print bed moves to the front of the printer where it catches the bed on a latch mechanism as the print bed pulls backwards it lifts the build plate off the printer and drags it to the front edge of the print bed.

The build plate is then dropped off the front of the printer and a new build plate is retrieved from the back of the printer and slid into place with a series of back and forth motions programmed into the g-code. Once the build plate is in place the printer is ready to start the next print and repeat the process as long as there are build plates to print on.

 

Limitations

This auto-clearing setup has a few important mechanical and practical limits.

• • Due to the use of the printer's range of motion to clear the bed there are bed exclusion areas built into the printer config so the bed does not accidentally begin to clear mid print. This also requires you to remove the nozzle wiper.
  • The config does NOT have bed placement detection, be sure there are always enough beds to print or the printer will attempt to print without a bed placed

What You’ll Need

• • Bambu A1-mini 3D Printer
  • Bed Swap Kit (3D Printed) – holds the replacement beds and facilitates the process of removing and replacing the beds.
  • Bambu Studio printer preset and project file template – preconfigured for automatic clearing behavior
  • 15mm x 2mm Neodymium Magnets – the magnets used in our setup can be found here.
  • 3mm x 3mm Neodymium Magnets - the magnets used in our setup can be found here.
  • Plastic Screws (2 per bed) - These are the same screws used in the Bambu Scraper. They can be purchased here.

All STL files, printer profiles, and project templates can be downloaded for free here.

Assembling the Kit

Removing the Nozzle Wiper

Remove the two screws from the back of the build plate that hold on the nozzle wiper. Set it aside as we will no longer need it.

 

Assembling the Base

Print the kit using the provided project files — download here.

Slide together the 4 pieces that make up the base of the kit. Lightly tap the parts together with a soft mallet if needed. The A1-mini will sit on this during operation.

Place the A1 mini into the base. This should fit snug. Make sure not to pinch any wires.

Install the cable guide over the heater bed connection. This will keep the cable from hitting the beds during reloading.

 

Install the rear bracket. This will be the base for the bed holder. Make sure it seats fully in the base.

Install the magnet in the front of the bed holder. Then stack 3 magnets together and install them in the rear of the bed holder as shown (For a more secure placement use super glue and make sure the magnets are fully pressed into place). Repeat this step for the mirrored piece. 

Slide each side of the bed holder into place on the rear bracket.

Slide the stationary front hook into place. Make sure it is fully seated.

Snap the pivot arm onto the front hook. Be careful not to snap it or permanently bend it. 

Installing the Bed Clips

Mark out and drill 3mm holes in the front edge of the build plate where the bed clip will be located.

 

Screw the plastic screws into the bed clip and through the print bed.

Configuring Bambu Studio

Loading the Auto Clear Printer Config

1. In Bambu Studio, go to File → Import → Import Configs…

Import Config

2. Locate the downloaded printer_presets.zip file included in the project package.

3. Click on it to import.
   
   

 

Once imported, the new Build Plate Swapper printer configuration will appear under your User Presets list.

• Select this preset whenever slicing projects that use the bed swapper on the A1-mini for automatic bed clearing.

What’s Changed in the Start and End G-code

The Build Plate Swapper printer preset includes several key modifications to the standard Bambu Studio start and end G-code to make the clearing sequence possible.

Exclusion Zone

• An exclusion zone has been added to the back of the print area to prevent users from placing parts in a region that will cause errors during the print due to the bed swapping design.

• This ensures only printable areas that can be safely printed on are used.

Start G-code Changes

• • The nozzle cleaning has been moved to the front of the bed.

    • Since the bed catches on the hook for removal when the printer bed moves to the front the nozzle cleaning can no longer be located on the back center strip of the build plate and was moved to a usable location on the bed.

• • The bed detection test has been removed.

    • Since the bed catches on the hook for removal when the printer bed moves to the front the build plate detection macro can no longer be used. This is IMPORTANT to note if the printer runs out of build plates it will attempt to keep printing without one.
      
      

End G-code Changes

• • The end sequence now includes a an auto build plate ejection routine

    • After the print finishes, the bed moves to the front and pulls the old build plate off with a sequence of forward and backwards motions. The bed then moves to the back and places the next build plate with another sequence of forward and backwards movements.
      
      

Project File Template

A preconfigured project file template is included to demonstrate how the auto-clearing process works.

It contains a sample Benchy model, included as a placeholder for testing.

To use the template:

1. 1. Download the project file from the same link as the other resources — download here.

   2. Open it in Bambu Studio.

   3. Delete the Benchy and replace it with your own models.

   4. Slice and print to test the complete print → bed  removal → auto replacement cycle.

Once verified, this template can serve as a starting point for any print you want to run with automatic clearing enabled.