Accessories

Accessory roadmap and release gates.

These are planned add-ons around the MechAMS system. Concept and prototype items are not product promises yet; each needs the listed validation gate before release.

Reliability

Nozzle cleaning and droop catcher

PrototypeP1 - High - Urgency 4/5

Release track: First accessory candidate
Compatibility: MechAMS A1 reference release; must be rechecked for A1 Mini because wipe/catcher clearance and bed travel differ.
Problem: Visible drooping filament and purge strings create trust and cleanup concerns.
Why now: This directly answers customer confusion around stringing, purge waste, and whether drooping filament affects larger prints.
Requirement: Create a front or side catcher/wipe accessory that captures strings without interfering with Y travel or the print volume.
How: Prototype a clip-on or frame-mounted catcher around the existing wipe/purge area, then validate with default and reduced extra-load settings.
Release gate: Tested with default and reduced extra-load settings across multiple materials.
Acceptance criteria: Captures visible strings or droop without colliding with the bed, cutter, toolhead, or rear slot row.
Works with the current generator purge and extra-load controls.
Has clear cleaning/removal instructions for users.
Next steps: Measure the safe envelope around the wipe/catcher area.
Test PLA, PETG, and TPU-style purge behavior.
Document which generator setting reduces droop and what risk it adds.
Evidence: Instagram comments ask about drooping filament, side purge mess, and poop-bucket style wiping.

Open release brief

Build support

TPU/PTFE completion kit

ConceptP1 - High - Urgency 4/5

Release track: Build-completion support item
Compatibility: A1 and A1 Mini release; final Mini tube lengths should follow the Mini routing notes.
Problem: Some buyers cannot print TPU parts or do not know which PTFE/couplers are needed.
Why now: This is close to a paid-user blocker because users can print rigid parts and still be unable to finish a working system.
Requirement: Package or document the exact TPU parts, PTFE tube spec, couplers, and routing hardware needed after printing the rigid files.
How: Turn the BOM and buyer routing checklist into a kit-ready list, then decide whether this ships as a docs-only guide, affiliate list, or physical pack.
Release gate: BOM, supplier links, and 8-slot routing diagram are stable.
Acceptance criteria: Lists exact TPU parts, PTFE spec, couplers, and quantities for 4-slot and expanded builds.
Explains what a buyer can do if they cannot print TPU 95A.
Separates required completion parts from optional upgrades.
Next steps: Reconcile BOM quantities against the current downloadable files.
Add supplier-neutral PTFE and coupler specs to buyer docs.
Decide whether to sell a physical completion kit later.
Evidence: Buyer comments ask what extra materials are needed and how to finish the 8-tube routing.

Open release brief

Filament handling

Self-winding spoolholder

ConceptP2 - Medium - Urgency 3/5

Release track: Optional support accessory
Compatibility: MechAMS A1 reference release first; A1 Mini only after its slot row and spool path are measured.
Problem: Users want cleaner spool behavior around a multi-slot passive feed path.
Why now: Useful after core buyer onboarding because it reduces support friction around spool drag and slack management.
Requirement: Design a printable spoolholder that maintains light rewind tension without adding powered electronics to MechAMS.
How: Prototype a passive spring or gravity rewind stand behind the printer, then test it with left, middle, and right slot feed paths during load and unload.
Release gate: Validated with full-slot feed paths, low-friction spools, and no false pulls during unload.
Acceptance criteria: Keeps spool slack controlled without pulling filament out of the active slot path.
Works with the recommended rear spool placement and full toolhead travel.
Does not add electronics or imply a powered feeder.
Next steps: Pick one spool diameter and width range for the first prototype.
Build a drag/slack test using the current A1 slot row.
Record unload reliability before adding it to Launchpad.
Evidence: Instagram social archive includes a direct request for self-winding spool stands.

Open release brief

Kinetic accessory

Mechanical filament-cut counter

ConceptP2 - Medium - Urgency 3/5

Release track: Experimental mechanical add-on
Compatibility: A1 reference release only until cutter stroke force and envelope are measured on each printer variant.
Problem: The cutter is a visible repeated mechanical event that could be counted for maintenance and display.
Why now: It is a distinctive add-on that can also become a maintenance indicator if it stays mechanically passive and low-force.
Requirement: Design a passive counter actuated by the cutter stroke that increments once per cut without adding electronics.
How: Use the cutter stroke as the only input and isolate the counter from the cutter force path with a low-friction one-way ratchet.
Release gate: Counter does not increase cutter force enough to affect reliability and remains resettable/serviceable.
Acceptance criteria: Increments exactly once per cutter stroke in repeated tests.
Does not change cutter travel, force, or recovery behavior.
Can be reset or serviced without disassembling calibration-critical parts.
Next steps: Measure the available cutter-stroke actuation envelope.
Prototype a ratchet indexer outside the cutter force path.
Run at least 100 cut cycles before calling it validation-ready.
Evidence: Owner requested a mechanical counter that tracks the number of filament cuts.

Open release brief

Creative add-on

Automata and kinetic sculptures

ConceptP3 - Low - Urgency 2/5

Release track: Creative Launchpad category
Compatibility: Only after safe decorative attachment zones are defined on the A1 reference release.
Problem: The visible mechanical movement can support fun, non-core add-ons without changing the main mechanism.
Why now: Best handled after reliability accessories because it is brand-building rather than a support blocker.
Requirement: Define safe attachment points and motion limits for decorative mechanical scenes driven by existing motion.
How: Create a safe-mount envelope first, then design small motion modules that are visually driven by existing printer movement only.
Release gate: Attachment points are outside calibration-critical and collision-critical areas.
Acceptance criteria: Uses only approved non-load-bearing attachment points.
Does not change slot alignment, PTFE routing, or toolhead docking.
Survives full travel and repeated filament changes without loosening.
Next steps: Mark safe decorative attachment zones on the A1 reference release.
Create one small proof-of-motion module.
Keep files separate from required mechanism parts.
Evidence: Owner requested automata and kinetic sculpture add-ons.

Open release brief

Creative add-on

Attachable figures

ConceptP3 - Low - Urgency 2/5

Release track: Creative Launchpad category
Compatibility: Only after A1 safe attachment zones and size/weight limits are defined.
Problem: Users may want low-risk personalization without editing functional parts.
Why now: This can be a low-risk Launchpad category once safe attachment zones are defined.
Requirement: Create decorative figure mounts that attach to non-load-bearing areas and do not change slot alignment.
How: Define a simple mount interface for decorative objects and test it through full toolhead, bed, and slot movement.
Release gate: Mounting locations are marked safe and tested through full travel.
Acceptance criteria: Mounts only to non-functional cosmetic or frame-safe areas.
Cannot loosen into the toolhead, bed, cutter, or slot bank.
Includes size and weight limits for submitted Launchpad figures.
Next steps: Define the mount interface and size envelope.
Add Launchpad submission rules for decorative add-ons.
Test one small figure through a complete print and swap sequence.
Evidence: Owner requested attachable figures for the system.

Open release brief

Next structure step

Once an accessory reaches validation, it can move into Launchpad or the product data model with files, compatibility notes, and a clear release status.

Open Launchpad Docs