How many slots does it have?
Eight. You don't need to use them all: you can start with two filaments and leave the other slots empty. More than eight is not part of V2.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
FAQ
Short answers to the questions I get most about Mechams V2.
How does the filament get to the toolhead?
Through eight PTFE tubes, one per slot, straight into the toolhead hub. Nothing joins or splits a tube on the way. You can't print PTFE, so bring your own tubes, at least 50 cm each.
What materials does it take?
About 410 g of PLA, plus about 5 g of TPU for the belt and the filament drive gears. Any rigid filament works for the body; PLA is the default.
Why are the belt and drive gears TPU?
Because TPU grips the filament without grinding it.
What tolerance do the files use?
0.20 mm, the only tolerance in the files. A few parts are slightly tighter or looser, scaled from that 0.20 mm.
What does the G-code generator do?
It writes the G-code for your printer, the A1 or the A1 mini: the toolchange macro, the start and end G-code, and the load and unload utilities. The eight slot positions are set per printer and shown on the generator page; you can't change them there. You do tick which slots your build uses, and filament 1 maps to the first ticked slot, filament 2 to the next, in slot order. If your slots sit somewhere else, write to support@eyeball.engineering. Every file the generator makes is watermarked to your licence.
What happens during a filament change?
It cuts first, then unloads the old filament, then loads the new one. The toolhead lifts and the bed parks at the rear. A lever on the toolhead hits a fixed pin at the end of the gantry, which drives the blade through the filament above the extruder. Any configured retraction before the cut is pressure relief, separate from the parking retraction after cutting. Then the toolhead docks at the old slot, and the extruder retracts the cut filament back up its tube. An optional dry wipe can run before loading. It docks at the new slot and feeds the new filament down. Both printers then purge and wipe over the chute at the rear, into a bin, and the print carries on.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds follow EU consumer rules. The refund policy explains when you can get one and how to ask.
How do the slicer's filament numbers relate to the slots?
They are two separate lists. The generator page shows the mapping for your build: filament 1 uses the first slot you tick, filament 2 the next, in slot order. Check it before your first multi-colour print.
What if the toolhead misses a slot?
Stop the print and write to support@eyeball.engineering with your printer model, your Mechams version and the exact error. Don't hand-edit the G-code to work around it.
Is there a runout sensor?
No. Watch your spool levels on long prints and swap a spool before it runs dry.
Do I still need to grind the extruder shaft?
No grinding; V2 never needs it. Installation opens the stock toolhead and files the front filament-indicator interface on the extruder gear shaft so the printed coupling seats. Extrusion is unaffected.
Which bearings do I need?
MR115ZZ: 11 mm outer diameter, 5 mm inner and 4 mm wide. You buy them; they are not printed. An eight-slot build takes 37: five in the toolhead and four in each docking station.
Does it work?
Yes. V2 is the system I print on and ship. Clips of V1 and V2 running are on the builds and clips page, and the build video follows.
How long does the build take?
About 19 hours of printing, about 410 g of PLA and 5 g of TPU, plus eight PTFE tubes and the bearings.
Does one licence cover both the A1 and the A1 mini?
The €40 print package covers the one printer model chosen at checkout. The €75 project package covers both the A1 and A1 mini. The original Mini mounting remains held pending qualification. Earlier licences keep the printer coverage they were sold with.
Which package should I take?
I just want to print it (€40) gives you print-quality STL files for one printer you choose at checkout, either the Bambu Lab A1 or A1 mini, plus the G-code generator. It has no editable STEP sources or Discord. I want the project (€75) covers both supported printers, the print-quality STL files, the editable STEP sources and Discord. Mini installation remains on hold pending mounting qualification.
What is research credit?
It is credit you earn with every order, equal to what you paid. In your account you put it behind the research you want done first, like the runout sensor or the Studio plugin. The goals with the most credit get worked on first.
I bought V1. What do I get?
You are a Founder, and V2, the generator and every update are yours at no charge. Sign in with the e-mail address you bought with. Founders get the Founder role, which sits above every other role, plus a #F number, a Founder plate variant and support priority.
Why aren't the design files free?
The files are what I sell. One licence is for one person, and the files may not be shared publicly. The €75 project package includes editable STEP sources and Discord; the €40 print package has neither.