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Model too big for the A1 mini? How to split it

The A1 mini is a great little printer, but its 180 mm bed means plenty of everyday models don't fit. You don't need a bigger printer. You need to split the model.

Will it fit?

The A1 mini's build volume is 180 × 180 × 180 mm. In practice, plan pieces a few millimeters smaller so there's room for a brim and for pegs on cut faces. Bambu Studio warns you when a model is bigger than the plate. You can also check the size in the object's scale panel.

A model that's only too tall can sometimes be laid on its side. If it's too big in more than one direction, it needs splitting.

Your options

• Scale it down. Fine if you don't mind it smaller.
• Look for a pre-split version. Some designers publish split versions for small beds. Search the model name plus "A1 mini" or "split".
• Split it yourself, by hand or automatically. See below.

Split it by hand in Bambu Studio

1. Select the model and open the Cut tool.
2. Move the cutting plane so each side will fit in 180 mm.
3. Add connectors to the cut face so the halves line up when you glue them.
4. Cut, then repeat on any part that's still too big.
5. Arrange the parts across plates and print.

This works well for two to five pieces. Turn off elephant-foot compensation for parts that print on a cut face, so the joints close cleanly.

Split it automatically

For anything bigger, cutting by hand gets slow fast: on a 180 mm bed, even a 40 cm model can need eight or more pieces. Scale & Cut 3D has an A1 mini preset. Pick it, set the size you want, and it cuts the model so every piece fits, adds pegs and numbers to each seam, and lays the pieces out on Bambu Studio plates in build order.

If you also have a bigger printer, or a friend does, select both. Pieces too big for the A1 mini go to the bigger printer, and everything else goes to the mini.