I have searched for others who have had this problem before making a post and was unable to find others so I thought I would post this issue and possible solution for others who might run into this.
About a month after purchasing my A1 mini combo I noticed that occasionally when I started a new print, the tool head would already be at the purge wiper (from the previous print) and would then try to move further towards the purge wiper as if the printer did not realize it was already there. At this point it would make an awful noise like the belt or motor was slipping/grinding for about 3 seconds. It would then move all the way to the other side and hit the filament cutter making another loud noise. It eventually cracked this plastic piece on the x axis.
I contacted Bambu and they informed me that they are aware of this and will be issuing a firmware update for the A1 mini soon that will include a fix. They also shipped me a new x axis motor housing, although I will wait to install until the new firmware update. The temporary fix for this from Bambu is to manually move the print head all the way to the right side (filament cutter) before starting a new print. This seems to have temporarily solved this problem. The link to the video is below. Hope this helps someone else.
I’ve the same issue and worked with the support of BL mid of December 2023. I am waiting for,the firmware update….
Small workaround: „home“ it after the print is finished before you power off the printer.
Kind regards
Carsten
BL actually recommended this also but for some reason on my machine, this also occurred during the homing process. They recommended moving the tool to the motor side before printing or homing. I tried to find a pattern of when this happens but it seemed to happen even after printing the built in Bambu prints. I went ahead and purchased and extra x axis belt just in case it has somehow damaged the existing one.
Have you update your A1 min to the new firmware version yet? 01.02.00.00
Wondering if this might have included the fix for this?
I’ve updated yesterday evening, but couldn’t test it until now. I hope I can do it today (actually printing…)
I did the update a few days ago, but it does not seem to have solved the issue. I still get the “motor slipping noise” at the beginning of a print. I will try to see if homing the printer at the end of a print helps.
I did as well and can confirm that the problem is still there. Just curious but have you tried doing a factory reset? That is the only thing I have not tried. BL support has not recommended I do this so maybe they don’t think it will fix the issue.
I’ve had the same problem on mine since February and the only solution I found was to click the home button on the Bambu Studio or from the printer itself before every print but I sometimes forget this at times. I’m afraid this will shorten the belt life of the X axis or as the OP stated, plastic cover at the end of the X axis may crack…luckily mine is still intact. I’ve reset the printer to factory default as others have recommended but have not solved this issue.
Did anyone ever find a fix for this? It’s been going on for a few weeks for me and it’s incredibly frustrating
I have a different noise of my X Axis. Kinda feels to move way to heavy…
It also kinda moves in little steps when its switched off
Just got the same problem. My x-axis is losing track of it’s center positions and trying to move beyond the axis limits to the right, pressing against the cutter plug as if it could move further than that. I tried resetting to factory firmware (but it gets back to the latest) and adjusting the x-axis belt screw. Nothing works. Looks like it either has a software issue or a sensor issue. Had to print some stuff but now I’m afraid to use it and get it to break itself. It’s frustrating because I’ve been a huge Bambulab fan and my A1 Mini has worked great so far. I was even planning on getting an R1 but now I’m being cautious.
Hi all. Just got this fixed so I’m sharing to whomever reaches this post. The issues was with the steel bearing balls of the toolhead. These are rolling balls that make the toolhead slide smoothly through the x-axis. There’s a line of 24 that touch the upper rail and another 24 on the bottom rail. Each line of 24 mini steel balls loop in and out of a small metal box. The lower bearing line of my toolhead was stuck. My guess is that since A1 Mini has no case, dust ended up falling in this compartment getting the bearing ball line to get stuck.
How I fixed it (I tried to add pictures but the forum blocks them):
The balls can easily fall from their cradle so be VERY careful when removing the toolhead and working the balls.
1. Turn of the printer and remove the toolhead using Bambulab’s Repair Guide for Accidental Fall of Steel Bearing Balls on the X-axis Linear Guideway page for guidance (sorry, this forum don’t allow links in replies, just search this title in bambulab’s wiki site).
2. Check if there’s missing balls. There’s a gap of 1 or two needed so if there’s more than this gap you may need to buy and add balls. Rarely the case, though.
3. Push the last one or two balls toward the black hole carefully to see if they are moving through the loop. Start with the upper bearing balls. They should come out on the other side. I used the small allen key that comes with the printer. It works better to avoid pushing the balls out (like tweezers did). Be very careful to not push them out of the socket. They get out easily and you’ll probably lose them if they fall in the floor.
4. Do the same with the lower steel balls. If they don’t move, don’t push much because they could slip out of their rail. If stuck, first lubricate with the bambulab oil (NOT grease). Add oil to the hole where they enter to circulate and to the visible balls. Wait a bit then push slowly the last ball in the line to the hole. Apply pressure carefully. See if another ball comes up on the other side. I kept doing this to each side alternatively to have the balls inside the compartment get unstuck. When they star to move, use the allen to slowly circulate the balls until they loop smoothly. Never push them from the center of the visible line or they’ll pop out. Always from the last our couple last entering the case hole. Only stop after they run similarly to the upper bearing balls looping smoothly.
5. After you’re done and the balls are looping smoothly, reassemble everything following the same intructions in the Balbulab wiki page, remembering to be careful when putting the toolhead back in the rail so balls don’t fall out. The balls holding wire should fit perfectly in the rail crack so better to mount looking at the rail end from the printer side. After it’s properly mounted, check if the toolhead is sliding more smoothly in the x-axis now.
6. Turn on and calibrate. My printer got back to normal after that. Hope this works for you too.