We’ve got some news to share about Bambu Lab’s A1 3D printer recall. There’s been quite a stir in the 3D printing community, and we’re here to break it down for you.
Bambu Lab, known for its innovative 3D printers, recently issued a recall for their A1 model due to issues with the heatbed cable. In a detailed press release, the company outlines its findings, the current solutions, and compensation options for affected customers, emphasizing their commitment to safety and customer satisfaction.
New Findings: The issue, initially thought to be widespread, affects less than 0.1% of all A1 printers sold. Problems were identified near the cable connector, with external factors and craftsmanship being potential causes. Some issues were traced back to the printer’s placement during installation, causing undue stress on the cables. Bambu Lab is awaiting the return of affected units for a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of these malfunctions.
Company’s Response: Understanding the complexity and seriousness of the issue, Bambu Lab advises all A1 users to cease using the printer until further information is available. This precautionary measure reflects their prioritization of customer safety over immediate functionality.
Compensation Options: Bambu Lab offers two primary compensation options for customers who purchased the A1 printer through their online store:
Return for Refund: Customers can return their A1 printer for a full refund. This process may take up to 15 business days, considering shipping and processing times. Additionally, customers opting for this will receive an $80 discount voucher for other Bambu Lab models, including the A1 Mini, P1, and X1 series.
Wait for Heatbed Replacement: Customers preferring to keep their printer can wait for a new, upgraded heatbed, expected to be available by the end of March. Bambu Lab will provide a detailed guide and a $120 discount voucher for any product in their online store as compensation for the wait. The warranty period for these customers will be extended by an additional six months.
Important Considerations: Customers are encouraged to register their decision on a dedicated page to help Bambu Lab optimize the recall process. Official resellers will offer the same compensation, and customers are advised to contact them for details. The company acknowledges that the plan may change based on new findings from their ongoing investigation and assures customers that any updates will be communicated promptly.
A few A1 users reached out to Bambu Lab with concerns about wonky temperature readings and heating issues. After some serious detective work, Bambu Lab figured out that these problems mainly come from damage at the base of the heatbed cable. It seems that in a small number of A1 printers, too much bending can hurt the cable. This damage might not cause immediate issues, but it can lead to more serious problems like inaccurate temperature readings or even short circuits. Yikes!
What’s causing the damage? It looks like a few things could be to blame:
- Rough handling during shipping.
- Accidental pressure on the cable during setup.
- Unexpected bumps and knocks after installation.
If you’re a bit worried about your A1, here’s a quick guide to check your cable:
Damaged Cable:
Healthy Cable:
If your cable looks like the damaged one, or you’re just not sure, best to contact Bambu Lab’s support team with a photo of the cable’s base. They’re offering to either replace the whole printer or send out a new heatbed assembly for those of you who are handy with DIY repairs.
For those with no visible cable damage (which, thankfully, is most A1 owners), Bambu Lab’s got a preventative solution: a Cable Protector. This handy little tool is super easy to install and will keep your cable safe from bending too much. Bambu Lab is sending these out to all A1 buyers, but if you’re itching to get it sooner, you can download and print the 3MF file for the Cable Protector right away.
Apologies to anyone who’s been inconvenienced by this. The good news is Bambu Lab is all about making their A1 printers stronger and more reliable. They’re even updating their packaging to prevent any cable damage during shipping. So, if your new A1 arrives with some extra padding or looks like it’s been opened and resealed, that’s why.
Stay tuned for more details on these packaging changes. They’ll be releasing a wiki article to fill you in on everything you need to know. And as always, if you’ve got questions or need some help, Bambu Lab’s team is just a message away.
That’s all for now, folks! We’ll keep you posted on any new developments.
https://blog.bambulab.com/a1-recall-update/
https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/a1/maintenance/heatbed?ref=blog.bambulab.com
Cable Protector:
https://makerworld.com/en/models/158862?ref=blog.bambulab.com#profileId-174376