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FabMatic Continuous Printing

FabMatic enables automated continuous printing by running back-to-back jobs with automatic bed clearing between prints. This maximizes printer efficiency and reduces manual intervention for production workflows.

Experimental Feature

FabMatic is currently experimental and scheduled for major updates in February 2025, including temperature-based release scripts to replace timing-based clearing.

How FabMatic Works​

  1. Print Completion: Your printer finishes a job normally
  2. Bed Clearing: Custom end G-code cools the bed and removes the completed part
  3. Next Job: Printago automatically starts the next queued job
  4. Continuous Operation: Process repeats until the queue is empty

Setup Overview​

FabMatic setup involves three main steps:

  1. Create clearing profiles in your slicer with bed-clearing G-code
  2. Sync profiles to Printago via Bambu Integration
  3. Enable FabMatic on desired printers

Step 1: Create Clearing Profiles​

Modify Your Slicer Profile​

  1. Open your slicer (Orca Slicer or Bambu Studio)
  2. Select your printer and edit the printer settings
  3. Navigate to Machine G-code tab
  4. Locate "Machine end G-code" section
  5. Find this line near the end of the existing script: 
    M400 ; wait all motion done
  6. Insert your clearing script after that line
  7. Save with a new name (e.g., "X1C - FabMatic Clearing")
  8. Repeat for each printer model you want to use with FabMatic
Profile Naming

Use clear names like "A1 Mini - FabMatic" to easily identify clearing profiles during setup.

Step 2: Sync Profiles to Printago​

  1. Enable profile sync in your slicer:

    • Open Preferences → Presets
    • Enable "Auto sync user presets"

  2. Run Bambu Integration in Printago:

    • Go to Printing → Printers → Configure Bambu Printers
    • Or Settings → Integrations → Bambu Lab

  3. Select your clearing profiles:

    • Your new profiles will appear marked "Create"
    • Choose the appropriate clearing profile for each printer
    • Use "Save to all in group" for identical printer models

  4. Complete the integration flow to sync profiles

Step 3: Enable FabMatic​

  1. Configure printer profiles:

    • Go to Printing → Printers
    • Select a printer → Slicing Configuration
    • Choose your FabMatic clearing Machine profile
    • Save settings

  2. Enable FabMatic:

    • Select printers using checkboxes
    • Click Actions → FabMatic → Enable
    • Read and accept the disclaimer
    • Verify FabMatic indicators appear on enabled printers
Safety Disclaimer

You must accept the safety disclaimer each time you enable FabMatic. Continuous printing requires proper supervision and safety precautions.

G-code Examples & Strategies​

Basic End G-code Templates for Bambu​

Example G-code templates are available in the Printago Discord pinned under #community-support.

Time-Based Cooling​

Adds commands to pause the printer while the bed cools.

In END G-code:

  • Uses M190 commands to wait for specific bed temperatures
  • May wait longer than necessary on cool days
  • May not wait long enough on hot days or with high ambient temps

Semi-Automatic: PAUSE Command Method​

For operations where full automation isn't ready or suitable:

Add to START G-code:

M400 ; wait for motion to complete
M1 ; pause and wait for user

Workflow:

  1. First print: Printer pauses before/after heating bed
  2. Manual: Press resume button on printer to start
  3. After print: Manually clear bed
  4. Press resume: Next job automatically starts
  5. Repeat from step 3

Benefits:

  • No complex clearing G-code needed
  • Good for PETG or difficult-to-eject parts
  • "Auto-ejection via person" approach
  • Still reduces manual job assignment

Material Considerations​

  • Best material for FabMatic with auto-ejection
  • Releases well from bed when cooled to 28-30°C
  • Works with most geometries
  • Fast cooling times

PETG (Challenging)​

  • Not recommended for auto-ejection
  • Very high bed adhesion - doesn't release easily
  • May damage parts or printer when attempting ejection
  • Better suited for:
    • Plate changer systems (Jobox)
    • Manual clearing with PAUSE method
    • Tall/skinny parts with good leverage (test carefully)

Part Geometry Impact​

Good for Auto-Ejection:

  • Tall, skinny parts (good leverage)
  • Parts with smooth bottoms
  • Parts that naturally want to release from bed

Difficult for Auto-Ejection:

  • Short, wide parts (little leverage)
  • Parts with high surface area on bed
  • Parts with textured bottom surfaces
  • Parts with brims or skirts still attached

Humidity & Environmental Factors​

  • High humidity (>60%) can affect print quality and cooling
  • Room dehumidifiers recommended for print farms
  • Target 40-50% humidity for best results
  • Humid environments may require longer cooling times

Managing FabMatic​

Automatic Disable​

FabMatic automatically disables when:

  • HMS errors or warnings occur (including filament runout, dirty camera, etc.)
  • External printer use is detected (via slicer, Handy app, etc.)
  • Communication loss prevents Printago from monitoring printer state

Manual Control​

To disable FabMatic:

  1. Select printers with checkboxes
  2. Actions → FabMatic → Disable

To re-enable after auto-disable:

  1. Resolve the underlying issue
  2. Follow the enable process again
  3. Accept the safety disclaimer
Safety Circuit Breaker

FabMatic acts like a circuit breaker - any interruption (printer panel use, Handy app, HMS error, communication loss) will trip it off. This is a safety feature to prevent unattended operation during problems.

Updating Clearing Scripts​

  1. Modify G-code in your slicer
  2. Close Bambu Studio/Orca Slicer completely (important for reliable sync)
  3. Sync profiles via Bambu Integration
  4. Update printer configuration if needed
Profile Sync Quirks

Bambu Studio has quirks with updating profiles. Always close the slicer after making changes before syncing to Printago for most reliable results.

Troubleshooting​

FabMatic Keeps Disabling​

Symptoms: FabMatic automatically turns off after running for a while

Common Causes:

  • HMS errors: Check printer display for any warnings (even minor ones like dirty camera)
  • Network issues: Unstable Wi-Fi causing communication loss with Printago

Solutions:

  • Clear all HMS errors before re-enabling
  • Improve network stability (wired connection if possible)
  • Keep adequate filament loaded

Profile Not Syncing​

Symptoms: New profiles don't appear in Printago, changes not reflected

Solutions:

  1. Enable auto-sync: Preferences → Presets → "Auto sync user presets"
  2. Close slicer completely: Bambu Studio has quirks - always close after editing
  3. Wait a moment: Give Bambu's cloud sync 30 seconds to complete
  4. Re-run integration: Settings → Integrations → Bambu Lab → Configure
  5. Check profile name: Ensure you saved with a new name (not overwritten system profile)

Community Resources​

3D Printable Mods​

Button Mounts for External Fans:

Farmloop Tilt Blocks:

  • Mechanical solution for assisted part ejection
  • Can be combined with custom G-code
  • Works with A1 Mini and other printer models

Video Tutorials​

Factorian Designs:

  • "Automate your Bambu Lab A1 & A1 Mini! Free & Easy" (sponsored by Printago!)
  • "Automate your Bambu Lab P1 & X1! Free & Easy"
  • Shows complete setup process (ignore gcode stitching parts - Printago handles this)

Semi-Automatic "Person Ejection" Mode​

Use the PAUSE command method (see G-code Examples) for:

  • Learning FabMatic before fully automating
  • Materials that don't auto-eject well
  • Parts with unpredictable adhesion
  • Situations requiring quality inspection between prints

Still much faster than manually assigning jobs!

When to Use What System​

ScenarioBest SolutionWhy
PLA, standard partsAuto-ejection G-codeFast, reliable, low cost
PETG, any partsJobox plate changerPETG adhesion too strong
Short, wide partsPlate changer or manualPoor leverage for ejection
Tall, skinny partsAuto-ejectionEasy to knock off
High-mix productionManual with PAUSEQuality inspection needed
High-volume single itemFull auto-ejectionMaximum efficiency

Getting Help​

Join our Discord community for FabMatic support:

  • Share and get clearing scripts
  • Troubleshoot specific issues
  • Learn from other print farmers