Swapmod is an easy-to-install plate-changer add-on for a BambuLab A1 Mini* 3D printer that enables it to print multiple plates in sequence, fully automatically. With swapmod, your printer will be able to print multiple plates contained in the same project file, combine multiple project files, or print the same plate over and over again. Simply drag and drop your gcode.3mf file(s) into the “swaplist” application to specify which plates to print in the queue and start printing.

What is the main difference between this and a classic Swapmod (Kit edition)

The STL edition provides the entire dataset containing all the print files upon purchase, meaning no dedicated hardware kit is required. The design has been refined and radically simplified, so that it no longer contains ropes, tubes, springs and rods. All you need are just a few standardized magnets and screws (all of the same type and size) which can be sourced from anywhere. See the full assembly video here (YouTube). For detailed comparison read below…

How this plate-changer works

After starting the print queue, your printer will load a blank plate from the magazine, print on it and when complete, simply eject the finished plate and replace it with the blank one loaded from the magazine. This process is repeated until all the plates in the queue are printed or the magazine runs out of plates. This is a significant benefit as it eliminates the need to restart printing and manually clear or replace the build plate after each print.

Why using swapmod

There are several use case scenarios that clearly demonstrate the benefits of such a multi-plate system. Here are some of the most relevant:

Comfortable: pick up your printed parts whenever you have time, not when the print job is finished
Larger: the print volume literally increases to the total size of all plates loaded into the magazine
️Efficient: reduces waste to the minimum when printing objects of different colors on separated plates
Reliable: reduces the risk of failed prints by distributing objects across multiple plates
Scalable: increase your productivity while reducing machine downtime and labor costs to the minimum
Cost effective: the add-on + few plates costs less then another printer

What you can expect

This version of swapmod is a downloadable digital product. Means you will get a file with all needed presets so you just need load some filament on your BambuLab A1 mini and hit “print”. Assembling and installing requires absolutely no technical skills, it takes only a few minutes and you will be assisted by a very detailed video guide. You don’t need to deal with the gCode as you get access to an app which will do it for you. You can load up to 15 build-plates into the magazine and there is a wide range of compatible plates.

What do you need

✅ BambuLab A1 mini printer
- + At least two build-plates
✅ Filament
- Apr. 450g of PLA
- Apr. 100g of PETG
✅ 10 Round magnets ( diameter: 10mm / high: 3mm)
✅ 5 Button head screws (ISO 7380-1 / thread: M3 / length: 8mm)
- +1 screw for each build plate

A pre-composed set of screws and magnets can be ordered directly here in our shop (shipping EU only).

See the full guidance here.

What are the benefits over comparable systems

Affordable – Minimal investment to get started with automated plate changing
Instant – Download immediately after purchase and start printing right away
Scalable – Equip unlimited additional printers at no extra cost
Updatable – Free access to all future file updates and revisions
Simple – Assembles in minutes following a video guidance with only a few non-printed components required
Community – Join a large, active SwapMod user base and Discord community for tips and support
Extendable – Expand functionality with free mods and accessories, including a rail system and custom hooks for Cryogrip plates
Original – Directly support an innovation-driven product and its continued development

Differences and similarities compared to swapmod Kit edition

STL edition is the newer version, while Kit edition is the legacy version.
STL edition is slightly easier to use as it can stay attached to your printer continuously, while Kit edition should be physically disconnected when not in use.
For ease of assembling process, the ejection trigger mechanics is designed differently in the STL edition and requires no maintenance (like tightening the rope in a Kit edition).
With the Swapmod STL Edition, you can equip multiple printers at no extra cost, provided you have enough screws and magnets. The Swapmod Kit edition must be purchased for each additional printer.
STL edition contains all needed printing files while the Kit edition offers access only to a portion of the housing files and provides the rest as a shipped hardware kit.
For the Kit edition of Swapmod all needed components with pre-inserted magnets comes as a prebuild package. To build Swapmod STL edition the magnets and screws needs to be sourced separately (but for EU we offer pre-composed sets in our shop)
Swapmod STL edition requires a different edition of the swaplist app than the Kit edition, as it uses a different gCode sequence for plate swap. However there is a compatibility mode, which generates swap files compatible with both editions of swapmod (Kit and STL). Means you can keep using your swapmods Kit edition alongside with swapmods STL edition without dealing with two different app versions.
As the STL edition is distributed as download only, the app access will require login (once in a while). The app for swapmod Kit edition is accessible without login and can be downloaded and used offline.
Purchasing swapmod STL edition you will be granted a non-transferable right to build and use the product, which means you are not allowed to sell it. Purchasing a swapmod Kit edition you will receive a physical product which you can sell or give away.
Both swapmod editions are easy to build, comes with a detailed guidance and requires absolutely same (low) skill level.
Both editions are using same plate hooks.
Both editions are still maintained and will get design updates if reasonable.
Both editions are compatible to almost all official and user-made mods and extensions on MakerWorld.

swapmod

Swapmod A1m – Kit Edition (legacy)

Swapmod A1m – STL Edition (DOWNLOAD)