Transporting the G1

Disassembling and transporting the G1.

Ask support before disassembling

The machine is heavy and the gantry is unsupported once its bolts come out. Contact Ginger Additive support for the teardown order before you start.

This page covers what stays together, how to pack it, and what has to be recalibrated afterwards.

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When to use this procedure

• Moving the printer to a different location (workshop, trade show, customer site)
• Shipping the printer back to Ginger Additive for service
• Storing the printer for an extended period

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What stays assembled

Some parts do not need to be removed:

• Bed heater — remains attached to the bed; do not disconnect its wiring
• Internal cabling — wiring harnesses stay routed inside the frame
• Linear rails — do not remove carriages from rails
• Electronics enclosure — remains mounted

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Disassembly

Not documented yet. The teardown order for a machine this heavy has to be confirmed against how it is actually done, and it has not been — so rather than publish steps nobody has checked, this page does not carry them.

Contact Ginger Additive support before taking a G1 apart for transport.

What is on this page instead is the part that is certain: what stays assembled, how to pack it, and what has to be recalibrated when it arrives.

Packing

• Use the original OSB shipping crate if available — it is the safest option

  

• Original crate has foam inserts cut to fit each sub-assembly

• Screws and small hardware are typically stored in a bag inside the crate lid

• If the original crate is not available:

  • Wrap each sub-assembly in bubble wrap (at least 2 layers)
  • Pack in a rigid box with foam padding on all sides
  • Mark the box “FRAGILE — DO NOT LAY FLAT” and indicate the correct orientation

Caution

Do not stack heavy items on top of the packed printer. The linear rails and Z lead screws are precision components that can be damaged by point loads.

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After reassembly

After transport and reassembly, always perform these steps before printing:

1. Check all connectors — vibration during transport can loosen plugs; inspect the extruder board, thermistors, and heater band connectors
2. Bed leveling — run the full bed leveling procedure; the mesh will have changed
3. Z offset — re-calibrate the Z offset (first layer height); see Z offset and first layer
4. Test extrusion — heat the extruder and do a short manual extrusion before starting a print
5. Check belt tension — confirm belts are still properly tensioned; see Belt and pulley mechanical issues

Note

Do not assume calibration survived transport. Even careful moves can shift the bed mesh and Z offset enough to ruin the first layer.

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Related notes

• Bed leveling system
• Z offset and first layer
• Belt and pulley mechanical issues
• First boot checklist
• Lubricating linear rails