The belt printer clearing method for AutoPrint

Belt printers, also called infinite-Z printers, carry finished parts off the end of the belt as they print, so the bed clears itself. That makes them a natural fit for AutoPrint: there is no plate to swap and no part to push off. This guide covers how to select the belt printer method and what SimplyPrint does each cycle.

What a belt printer is

A belt printer prints onto a moving conveyor belt instead of a fixed bed. As the print grows, the belt advances and finished parts ride off the end of the printer on their own. This is what people mean by "infinite Z": the print can be longer than the printer, and the machine effectively continuous-prints out of the box. Several manufacturers make belt (infinite-Z) printers; if you have one connected, you can pick this method.

Because the belt does the clearing, this method does not push the part off or swap a plate. SimplyPrint simply advances the belt a little between jobs and lets the next print begin.

Selecting the belt printer method

You set a clearing method per printer, from the AutoPrint settings.

1. Open the printer's control panel and find the AutoPrint widget.
2. Open the AutoPrint settings and find the Clearing method section.
3. Click the method selector and choose Belt printer - Infinite Z.
4. Save, then flip the AutoPrint switch on for the printer.

What SimplyPrint does each cycle

With the belt printer method selected, each AutoPrint cycle runs like this:

1. The print finishes and SimplyPrint detects the completed state.
2. SimplyPrint advances the belt so the finished part moves clear of the print area.
3. SimplyPrint matches the next queue item and starts it, and the loop repeats.

Because the belt clears the bed on its own with no person needed, AutoPrint can keep a belt printer running through the queue 24/7. For how matching and scheduling work in detail, see the AutoPrint overview.

Related articles

• AutoPrint: put your printers on autopilot - the feature this method plugs into
• AutoPrint clearing methods: pick how the bed gets cleared - all the clearing methods, side by side
• The standard print-head push-off method - clearing a fixed bed with the toolhead

Updated on: 26/06/2026