Series 1 2014

The Series 1 2014 is an FDM 3D printer from TypeAMachines with a 305 x 305 x 305 mm build volume.

Specifications

In the history of desktop FDM 3D printing, the American company Type A Machines holds a significant position as one of the first manufacturers to target the professional user (prosumer) market. Their flagship model, the Type A Machines Series 1 (2014 Edition), represented a major hardware evolution from the company's early wooden-framed models, introducing a rigid structural layout of steel, aluminum, and acrylic, alongside integrated wireless print management.

• Hotend: Early production runs of the 2014 model shipped with a proprietary hotend featuring a Teflon liner, which capped safe operating temperatures at 250°C.

Calibration

Maintaining and calibrating the Type A Machines Series 1 (2014) requires a hands-on mechanical approach. Here are eight essential calibration steps:

• Manual Bed Leveling (Four Corners):
• Process: Since the machine lacks an auto-leveling sensor, manual bed leveling is critical. Use a 0.1 mm feeler gauge or a piece of paper. Move the print head manually to the four corners of the bed and adjust the thumb screws until there is a uniform drag on the paper.

Common defects

• Hardware defects and mechanical weaknesses
• Symptom: Extruder clogging under high retraction loads.
• Cause: The Teflon tube inside the original hotend degrades over time due to heat, creating a gap where filament expands and jams.
• Solution: Upgrade to the all-metal G2 Extruder/Hotend or replace the internal PTFE tube regularly.
• Symptom: Acrylic bed warping.

What it is used for

Best use-cases

• Large PLA Mockups: Excellent for architects and product designers who need large-scale concept models in PLA where fine surface detail is not critical.
• Retrofit Projects: A great donor frame for makers who want to replace the old electronics (BeagleBone/Replicape) with a modern Klipper-based control board.