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Call3D Hotend Heating Insulation Pad for A1/A1 Mini Review: Solving First-Layer Printing Issues

Written by: BIG BRO

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Published on

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Time to read 3 min

If you've struggled with poor A1 first-layer performance on your Bambu Lab A1 3D printer—whether you're a beginner or an experienced user—you're not alone. Waves of material buildup, uneven adhesion, and misalignment can derail prints before they even start. After testing various solutions, we've found a critical component that often causes these issues: the heat insulation pad. Here's our in-depth review of the upgraded option that fixes these problems.

First Layer Trash
The Author : Big Bro

The Author : Big Bro

Big Bro is a renowned content creator and technical blogger in China’s 3D printing sector. He is primarily active on short-video platforms, focusing on practical 3D printing tutorials, equipment modifications, consumable reviews, and peripheral product development—with particular expertise in Bambu Lab printer-related technologies. He has garnered a strong following among 3D printing enthusiasts and users alike. 

Table of contents
Why Original Heat Insulation Pads Fail The Test: Comparing the Different Heat Pad's Resistance What’s in the Call3D‘s Kit? Installation: Quick and Foolproof Verdict: A Must-Upgrade for A1 First-Layer Success

How the Original Hotend Pads Cause the A1 First Layer Issue？

Through hands-on testing and inspection of original Bambu A1 brand heat insulation pads, we identified two common failure points that directly impact Bambulab's A1 first-layer quality:

Screw Loosening

Newer pads often suffer from loose screws, either due to improper factory tightening or gradual loosening during use. This misalignment throws off the printer's precision, leading to uneven Bambu A1 first layers.

Delamination and Aging

The most prevalent issue is layer separation over time. Original pads use adhesives that break down, causing the material to split. Even relatively new pads show signs of delamination, while older ones exhibit significant separation. This breakdown disrupts positioning, loosens screws further, and creates material misalignment—all disastrous for Bambu Lab A1 first-layer adhesion.

original ones exhibit significant separation

The Test: Comparing Materials for Heat Resistance for A1 First Layer Kit

To find a better solution to solve A1 first layer issue,  we tested multiple heat insulation materials using thermal imaging to evaluate their heat resistance and conduction properties. Here's what we found:

  • The Original Bambu (Left) Getting a high tempreture very soon 
  • The Ceramic like H2D (Middle One) Made with polyimide resin, this option withstands temperatures up to 350°C. While functional, it lags in long-term durability under high heat.
  • Call3D version (White on the right)
    Using an inorganic silicate binder, this pad resists temperatures up to 400°C. Thermal imaging showed it conducts heat more slowly and evenly, reducing the risk of warping or breakdown. Though slightly more expensive, its superior heat resistance and stability make it the clear winner.
Thermal Imaging to three hotend pad

What’s in the Call3D‘s Kit?

The recommended upgrade kit includes:

  • 1 upgraded heat insulation pad (imported material)
  • Disposable gloves (critical, as all pads contain fiberglass that can irritate skin)
  • Spare screws (interchangeable with original screws for easy installation)

Installation: Quick and Foolproof

Replacing the pad takes just 6 minutes with these steps:

  1. Remove the printer cover and hot end. If the hot end is stuck, heat it to 100–120°C（212°F–248°F） to loosen.
  2. Use a hex key to remove screws securing the old pad.
  3. Take out the four back screws (be careful not to drop them!).
  4. Wear gloves to handle the old pad (avoid fiberglass irritation).
  5. Install the new pad in the same orientation: larger end facing the smaller end, with the slightly smaller indentation inward.
  6. Secure with screws. For extra stability, wrap high-temperature PTFE tape around the threads (available online).

Pro Tip: Avoid overusing thread locker—while it prevents loosening, excess can make future removal nearly impossible.

Verdict: A Must-Upgrade for A1 First-Layer Success

After extensive testing, the imported heat insulation pad is a game-changer for Bambu Lab A1and A1 Mini 3D printers. It eliminates the common issues of screw loosening and delamination that plague original parts, directly improving A1 first-layer adhesion and print consistency. We’ve replaced all our test machines with this white imported version, and the difference in A1 first-layer quality is noticeable immediately—no more wavy buildup or misalignment. For anyone tired of Bambu A1 first-layer frustrations, this upgrade is well worth the investment. Don’t let a faulty insulation pad ruin your prints. Upgrade today and get reliable, consistent first layers every time.
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