Activation test print, verify the full pipeline

The activation test is the first real verification through FarmLoop and runs in three steps:

1. Component test — long-press the door button (or, on A series, the on-boot self-test). Confirms door / bender / fan respond without sending any G-code.
2. Trigger-only test — an “empty” G-code that skips the print entirely and just fires the FarmLoop eject sequence. Catches wiring, limit-switch, bender, and door-actuator issues without risking a failed part.
3. First real print, a Benchy — prints a small Benchy, cools the bed, and ejects end-to-end.

If all three pass, you’re cleared for production.

Step 1. Run the component test

On P/X and H-series printers, hold the outer door button (on the tilted foot, marked with the FarmLoop logo) for about 5 seconds to enter test mode. The board runs the full door → bender → fan sequence on demand — no print involved.

On A-series printers there’s no door button — the board self-tests on power-up (fan, actuator, and limit switch each cycle once). Power-cycle the FarmBoard to re-run it; the A-series verify page covers the LED reference.

• Everything fires correctly → the hardware is good. Move on to step 2.
• Something doesn’t fire → work through these in order before continuing:
  1. Check the plugs on the FarmBoard. Power the printer down, reseat every connector (actuator, limit switch, door, fan, AMS / power) and make sure each one is fully clicked in. Loose connectors during shipping or vibration are the single most common cause.
  2. Reflash the board with the latest firmware from the Firmware page. Bugs in earlier firmware can cause individual triggers to misfire even when the wiring is fine.
  3. Still failing? Walk through Verify installation for your printer family cable by cable to identify which connection is bad.

Step 2. Trigger-only test

Pick the routine-test file for your printer. These files don’t print anything — they’re empty on purpose. Sending one to the printer exercises the FarmLoop triggers (cooldown threshold, fan, bender, door actuator) without laying down any plastic. If the triggers fire correctly on an empty plate, you know the pipeline is wired right.

Printer	File
Bambu A1 Mini	FL_S2_A1mini_Activation_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu A1	FL_S2_A1_Activation_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu P1S / P1P	FL_S2_P1S_Activation_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu P2S	FL_S2_P2S_Activation_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu X1C	FL_S2_X1C_Activation_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu H2S	FL_S2_H2S_Activation_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu H2D	FL_S2_H2D_Activation_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu H2C	FL_S2_H2C_Activation_Test.gcode.3mf

Why is the file empty?

The file is empty on purpose. It only tests the FarmLoop triggers — nothing prints. If you see the printer warm up, skip the print, and go straight into the eject sequence, that’s the expected behaviour. Don’t re-slice or repair the file.

Send the file to the printer

Via Bambu Studio (most common):

1. Open the downloaded .gcode.3mf in Bambu Studio: File → Open
2. Connect to your printer in the bottom-right dropdown
3. Click Print

Via the Bambu Handy app: add the file to your printer from the app and tap Print.

What you should see

• Door opens (P / X series with door kit only)
• Bender engages — you’ll hear a servo whir
• Bender retracts
• Door closes
• The printer returns to idle

If every trigger fires in sequence without a part on the plate, you’re ready for step 3.

Step 3. First real print, a Benchy

Once the trigger-only test passes, run a small Benchy end-to-end. This is the first time plastic actually lays down and gets ejected in one loop. Pick your printer:

Printer	File
Bambu A1 Mini	FL_S2_A1mini_Benchy_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu A1	FL_S2_A1_Benchy_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu P1S / P1P	FL_S2_P1S_Benchy_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu P2S	FL_S2_P2S_Benchy_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu X1C	FL_S2_X1C_Benchy_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu H2S	FL_S2_H2S_Benchy_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu H2D	FL_S2_H2D_Benchy_Test.gcode.3mf
Bambu H2C	FL_S2_H2C_Benchy_Test.gcode.3mf

These files already include the FarmLoop eject sequence — send them straight to the printer, no re-slicing needed.

Watch the print

The Benchy takes 20-30 minutes depending on the printer:

1. Print phase (10-20 min) — the printer lays the Benchy.
2. Cool-down phase (5-10 min) — after the last layer, the bed cools to the FarmLoop threshold (normally 25-35 °C for PLA). The print head moves to the parking position.
3. Eject phase (10-20 sec):
   • Door opens (P / X series with door kit only)
   • Bender engages
   • Part releases from the bed and slides forward into your collection bin
   • Bender retracts
   • Door closes

What success looks like

• The Benchy comes off cleanly, no sticking, no scraping
• The bed is clear at the end
• The printer returns to idle and the LED goes back to normal

Move on to Step 6, start production with the FarmLoop app.

What failure looks like

Common first-run issues and where to go:

What you see	Likely cause	Where to fix
Part stays stuck; bender pushes plate instead	Adhesion too strong (Z-offset / temp)	Parts won’t detach
Eject didn’t run at all, print just ends	Bed-temp threshold mismatch, or wrong file sent	Temperature mismatch
Bender hits the print (not the plate edge)	Calibration or part geometry	Parts won’t detach → thin parts
Printer errors on bed leveling after eject	Bender interfered with homing	Bed-leveling errors
Door didn’t open (P / X series)	Door-actuator wiring	Verify installation → P / X series

Running it more than once

If the first activation print succeeds but the second fails, it’s almost always residue from the first part confusing bed leveling. Wipe the plate, let it cool fully, and retry. This behaviour is covered in Bed-leveling errors → failing between loops.

Related

• Step 4, verify installation, the mechanical test that comes before this
• Step 6, first production print, the full workflow for real jobs
• Parts won’t detach, if either test fails