The AMS lite, for multi-color
Multi-color printing on the A1 needs the AMS lite. It comes with the printer as the A1 Combo, or on its own from Bambu Lab's store. It is the biggest change you can make to what the A1 prints.
Printers
Bambu Lab A1 upgrades
The A1 is built to be used as it comes, so the useful upgrades are the ones Bambu Lab designed it to take.
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A spare hotend
The A1's nozzle is part of a hotend that swaps with one clip, so a clog or a worn nozzle is a quick fix if you have a spare ready. Keep one on the shelf and clear the blocked one later.
A hardened steel nozzle wears more slowly, but it does not change what the A1 is meant for. Bambu Lab still lists carbon and glass fiber filaments as not recommended on the A1.
Spare hotends
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Third-party hotend
HzdaDeve A1 hotend, 2 pack
Two third-party hotends for the A1, A1 mini and A2L, each with a removable hardened steel 0.4 mm nozzle, for swapping in when a nozzle wears or clogs.
Nozzle sizes
Bambu Lab lists 0.2, 0.6 and 0.8 mm nozzles for the A1 alongside the stock 0.4 mm. The smaller one suits fine detail; the larger ones lay down more plastic per line for bigger, sturdier parts.
Build plates
Bambu Lab lists its Textured PEI, Cool, High Temperature and Dual-Texture PEI plates for the A1. A textured plate gives the underside of a part a textured finish instead of a gloss. A spare lets one print cool while the next runs.
Spare textured PEI plate
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Build plate
SAHVAIM textured PEI build plate
Double-sided textured PEI spring steel plate, 257 × 257 mm and 0.77 mm thick, listed for the Bambu Lab A1, P1S, P2S, X1 and X2D.
Common questions
Bambu Lab lists ABS, ASA and fiber-filled filaments as not recommended on the A1. If those are why you want an enclosure, an enclosed printer such as the P1S is the better route.
Many are sold for it. Check the listing names the A1 and the nozzle size you want, and keep the original as a spare.
Size. The A1 mini prints a 180 mm cube with an 80 °C bed; the A1 prints a 256 mm cube with a 100 °C bed.