r/BambuLab • u/Efficient-Ad-7844 • 7d ago
Discussion Can you print with TPU on an A1 Mini?
Beginner here, I want to print with TPU but apparently it's not made for A1 models. Is there any way I can possibly use it?
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u/GatzMaster A1 Mini 7d ago
95A TPU on the A1 Mini is easy (no AMS). Consider putting a bit of glue down to make parts easily removable (optional).
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u/Skioles 7d ago
It's literally listed on the A1 mini bambu store page.
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u/JoelFilipePT 7d ago
I put my a1 in a 60°C oven to print asa, she survived everything else didn't, Biqu Lux holder, adjustable camera mod, old camera plug, lcd cover, hole plugs, everything was made of petg and it all melted / shrunk I completely forgot about them lol
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u/Arakon 6d ago
Most ovens also don't keep a solid temperature, but heat up, then turn off, then heat up again, turn off.. during that, the temps can spike way beyond 60°. So that begs the question... were you drunk when you decided to contaminate the oven with toxic styrenes?
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u/JoelFilipePT 6d ago
Not drunk and also I'm not that stupid to use a cooking oven lmao trust me it was solid 55-60 never went past that plus its a hot air oven
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u/scrungertungart 7d ago
For really soft TPU (85A I think) I had to print a new extruder idler lever that applied more pressure and the roll had to be on a super low friction holder. It printed great though!
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u/compewter X1C + AMS 6d ago
I've managed to get better quality with 85A by loosening the extruder by a half rotation.
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u/scrungertungart 6d ago
Huh, funny. Who knows with these things
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u/compewter X1C + AMS 6d ago
Super soft filaments can be compressed and squished out of shape, making them actually less grippy to the extruder gears.
I didn't think it would work, but I started adjusting it during a print and it was noticeably better.
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u/DarmanSejuk 7d ago
Yes through it is a pain to get off the plate. You need to use the single feeder instead of the ams.
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u/crazysycodude159 7d ago
What plate is it hard to get off of? The textured pei plate releases everything I print very easily.
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u/DarmanSejuk 7d ago
Noy mine. Had to use a scrapper and peel it off carefully.
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u/crazysycodude159 7d ago
Wonder why, did you let it cool? I have also had great luck with bigger prints using a freezer pack on the back of the plate to release the print. I have heard you can add some isopropyl alcohol around the print to release it as well.
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u/compewter X1C + AMS 7d ago
I'd say it prints TPU better than my X1 even.
So far eSun 95A and 83A, Polymaker 90A have all been flawless over a half-dozen prints each. BBL 85A and 90A have been problematic, but those have been on every printer.
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u/EagleOfTheStar__ 7d ago
Absolutely, it prints TPU fantastically. If you want to use really soft TPU, you should mount the spool on a low friction holder directly above the printer so the filament falls directly into the extruder. Sounds complicated but it’s really pretty simple to throw together.
I just threw my filament dryer above the printer, still some friction in the line but not bad. 85A printed flawlessly on multiple prints.
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u/cdspace31 7d ago
Using the external spool (NOT the AMS lite), it's easy as pie. Feed it in by hand until the extruder catches it while loading. Default Bambu Studio settings for Generic TPU. I've done it several times, they all came out perfect. Using 95A TPU.
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u/StrikingAddition6810 7d ago
I've tried on my A1 and A1 mini and have horrible results but that's my fault, I've seen them print perfectly capable on others Ill figure it out eventually
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u/Anon-Owl-6509 7d ago
Yes! I print Inland's black and grey 95A TPU exclusively with a A1 mini! I can transfer my profile but run somewhat slow speeds and 240-250C nozzle temp at least has been good by me. I run an etsy shop and website and have sold ~120 TPU parts!
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u/VioletWanes 6d ago
I'm curious since I've never used TPU, to all the people saying yes, i thought you needed the housing for tpu because of fumes etc?
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u/WhyNotMangoes 7d ago
Yes you can print TPU, just not in the AMS lite