In this guide, we will show the process of replacing the Wi-Fi Antenna on the A1 mini
¶ When to use?
This guide should be used if the Wi-Fi Antenna of the A1 mini is faulty, and needs to be replaced.
Common issues that are caused by the A1 mini Wi-Fi Antenna are:
- Low Wi-Fi network signal
- Antenna wire is damaged
- Recommended by Bambu Lab Customer Support
¶ Tools and materials needed
Bambu Lab Wi-Fi Antenna for A1 mini
- H2.0 hex wrench
- H1.5 hex wrench
- 15 minutes of your time
¶ Safety Warning
IMPORTANT!
It's crucial to power off the printer before performing any maintenance work on the printer and its electronics, including tool head wires, because leaving the printer on while conducting such tasks can cause a short circuit, which can lead to additional electronic damage and safety hazards.
When you perform maintenance or troubleshooting on the printer, you may be required to disassemble some parts, including the hotend. This process can expose wires and electrical components that could potentially short circuit if they come into contact with each other or with other metal or electronic components while the printer is still on. This can damage the electronics of the printer and cause further damage.
Therefore, it's essential to switch off the printer and disconnect it from the power source before doing any maintenance work. This will prevent any short circuits or damage to the printer's electronics. By doing so, you can avoid potential damage to the printer's electronic components and ensure that the maintenance work is performed safely and effectively.
If you have any concerns or questions about following this guide, open a new ticket in our Support Page and we will do our best to respond promptly and provide you with the assistance you need.
¶ Steps to remove the old Wi-Fi Antenna
¶ 1. Remove the printer's bottom housing cover
Place the printer on its side, with the Z axis pillar facing the table.
Then, remove the 16 screws holding the bottom cover in place, to access the MC board fan.
Please note that screws 15 and 16 are different, so keep track of them for when you will re-assemble the bottom cover.
After removing the screws, gently pry out the plastic bottom cover.
You can start from the top right side, and gently work your way around the printer until the cover gets loose.
¶ 2. Remove the USB C cable bracket and disconnect it
With the cover removed, we can proceed in removing the USB C cable bracket as shown in the image below.
This is used to hold the USB cable securely attached to the main board.
With the screws removed, you can gently disconnect it. Please make sure to pull towards the right, and not bend the cable as there is a small risk of damaging the USB connector on the board.
¶ 3. Disconnect the Wi-Fi Antenna connector
In the next step, gently pull the Wi-Fi Antenna cable towards you. Use a flat tool to carefully remove it.
Take extra care at this step to pull it upwards from the board to avoid damaging the MC board.
¶ 4. Remove the old Wi-Fi Antenna PCB
Using a sharp tool, gently pull on the Wi-Fi antenna PCB to remove it from the printer frame
The antenna is now removed
¶ Steps to install the new Wi-Fi Antenna
¶ 1. Install the new Wi-Fi Antenna the printer frame
First, remove all the protective film from the Wi-Fi antenna PCB to expose the adhesive.
Next, carefully hold the Wi-Fi antenna PCB from its sides, making sure not to touch the adhesive with your fingers and place it in its position
Ensure the PCB is properly aligned, then apply gentle pressure on it to ensure it adheres well to the printer frame.
¶ 2. Re-connect the Wi-Fi Antenna connector
Gently re-connect the round Wi-Fi antenna connector to the MC board. Take extra care when installing it.
The Wi-Fi antenna connector has a very small pin in the middle which can be damaged if the connector is not carefully aligned
If everything is carefully aligned, the Wi-Fi antenna cable will clip in place, and look like this:
¶ 3. Connect the USB C cable and re-attach the bracket
Carefully route the USB cable towards the USB header on the board, and re-install it as shown below.
Then, re-attach the metallic bracket with the screws we removed before.
¶ 4. Perform some wire management
Before putting the bottom cover back in place, ensure that the MC board wires are routed correctly, so they do not interfere with the MC board fan, as shown in the image below.
¶ 5. Install the back cover
You can now proceed with installing the bottom cover back to the printer.
Start by tightening screws 15 and 16 to ensure the side wire loom sits correctly.
Then, proceed with installing the other remaining screws, while ensuring you do not over-tighten them.
¶ Verify the functionality
Turn on the printer and try to connect to your local Wi-Fi network.
If the operation is successful, the replacement is complete.
¶ Calibration step after the operation
No calibration step is required.
¶ Potential problems and solutions
If you encounter problems during the installation of a new Wi-Fi antenna, please check the potential problems and solutions listed below:
¶ There is no Wi-Fi signal
Check the Wi-Fi antenna connector and confirm it is correctly inserted, as shown in Step 2. Re-connect the Wi-Fi Antenna connector
¶ The Wi-Fi signal is low
The Wi-Fi access point signal might be too low. Try to move the printer closer to the router and confirm if the signal strength increases.
¶ The Wi-Fi antenna connector is damaged
If during the installation of the Wi-Fi antenna, the connector is damaged, you need to confirm which is the damaged part.
It can be either the Mainboard connector, or the Wi-Fi connector. In this case, the Mainboard or the Wi-Fi antenna might need to be replaced.
Please provide the information and pictures to our Customer Support team so they can assist in solving the problem
¶ End Notes
We hope that the detailed guide we shared with you was helpful and informative.
We want to ensure that you can perform it safely and effectively. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the process described in this article, we encourage you to reach out to our friendly customer service team before starting the operation. Our team is always ready to help you and answer any questions you may have.
Click here to open a new ticket in our Support Page.
We will do our best to respond promptly and provide you with the assistance you need.