How Bambu Lab AMS Works
Common people have had a hard time with multicolor 3D printing in the past. To change spools, most users had to manually stop their printers, remove filament, and then start printing again. Prints would frequently fail because of how slowly this process was. When Bambu Lab introduced its Automatic Material System, or AMS for short, it revolutionized the industry. Use this add-on to automate filament management and print with a variety of materials or colors without having to swap out spools by hand.
Among consumer 3D printer accessories, the AMS has gained a lot of attention lately. For example, the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, P1S, and P1P are all compatible with it. What follows is a detailed explanation of the AMS's operation, including what happens during filament changes, a list of compatible materials, and an evaluation of the device's value.
What Is Bambu Lab AMS?
Bambu Lab's Automatic Material System is a dedicated external filament management system. It can store four different spools of filament and, when needed, will feed the right one into your printer automatically. The AMS takes care of the whole operation automatically, eliminating the need for human spool changes.
This paves the way for the printing of models using a variety of support materials, colored filaments, or even backup spools for longer runs. The system can accommodate up to sixteen distinct filaments in a single print when linked together using the Bambu Lab AMS Hub. The AMS's capacity to print in full color has made it a favorite among DIYers, companies, and artists offering multicolor prints for sale online.
How Does Bambu Lab AMS Work?
From the exterior, the AMS appears to be simple, but it actually has several intelligent parts that all work together. It controls the movement of filament using motors, rollers, sensors, internal feeding pathways, and automated software. There is an effort to increase dependability and decrease manual labor at every stage of the process.
Initiating a print job triggers direct communication between the AMS, the printer, and Bambu Studio. The AMS controls the actual movement of the filament, while the software decides when color changes are required. Once printing starts, this whole thing happens mechanically.
Filament Spools Sit on Roller Bays
There are four specific spool slots within the AMS. The printer feeds filament into each spool through rollers, which allow them to spin smoothly. Using these rollers for extended prints can help keep feeding issues at bay by reducing resistance.
Also contributing to the setup's orderliness is the enclosed design. With this unit, you won't need to worry about scattering a number of loose spools across your work area.
Motorized Feeding System Pushes Filament Forward
The AMS actively regulates the movement of the filament, in contrast to conventional spool holders that only permit the filament to unwind freely. When filament is required, the motorized feeding mechanism in each spool holder will push it toward the printer.
The technology can also reload the filament onto the spool as the color changes. The printer setup remains neat, and filament stays untangled, thanks to this.
The AMS Hub Combines Filament Paths
The filament travels into the AMS hub after exiting the spool holder. This part merges numerous filament channels into a single one that the printer may use.
The hub is similar to a traffic controller in action. It controls the flow of filament into the printer at predetermined intervals. The hub will automatically switch between red and blue filament if your build requires them in that order.
The Bambu Lab AMS Hub is indispensable for users who run numerous AMS units. It enables the connection of up to sixteen spools to a single computer.
The Buffer Maintains Proper Filament Tension
There is a buffer mechanism that the filament goes through before it reaches the printer. This component aids in keeping the tension just right while printing.
Fleece might become too tangled up while changing colors or feed too forcefully if the buffer wasn't there. Even out feeding problems and make transitions easier during lengthy multicolor jobs with the help of the buffer.
Sensors Monitor the Entire Process
The sensor system is one of the most intelligent aspects of the AMS. Various sensors track the movement of the filament as it moves through the feeding path.
When there are problems with the spool, loading, unloading, or filament runout, these sensors will pick it up. The printer has the capability to automatically pause and inform the user in the event of an issue. This aids in avoiding filament wastage and prints that don't turn out.
Bambu Studio Controls Color Changes
One of the most important components of the AMS is Bambu Studio. In the slicer program, users can designate specific regions of a model with a color.
The program tells the printer precisely when to change the filament based on its calculations. The AMS will automatically follow those commands once printing starts.
What Happens During a Filament Change?
The extrusion of the current filament ceases as soon as the printer detects the requirement for an additional color. In response to a printer cut, the AMS rewinds the active filament to its initial spool. The following filament is subsequently advanced toward the nozzle via the feeding system.
The printer removes any remaining debris to avoid any potential color pollution before printing can continue. This makes sure that the color transitions are smoother. Users find the AMS extremely convenient because the entire process happens automatically.
Why Does the AMS Create Filament Waste?
Waste from purges is one of the AMS's major drawbacks. The printer needs to empty the nozzle of any old filament before changing colors because the filament stays there during the process.
The result is what many users refer to as "filament poop," purge lines, or purge towers. Models that change colors often can produce a lot of extra trash. Infill purging and support purging are two ways Bambu Lab assists with this, but waste is still inevitable.
Which Printers Are Compatible With AMS?
The current list of Bambu Lab printers that are compatible with the standard AMS includes the X1 Carbon, X1E, P1S, and P1P models.
But the Bambu Lab AMS Lite is what the A1 and Mini use instead. Purchasers ought to constantly ensure compatibility prior to making a purchase.
Which Filaments Work With Bambu Lab AMS?
Nylon, PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, and support filaments are some of the stiffest materials that the AMS can handle. These materials don't bend too much as they go through the feeding route.
Because of their pliability and ability to jam inside the system, flexible materials such as TPU typically do not perform well. Another potential source of dust and friction problems is cardboard spools. Spools that are too big might not be able to fit into the AMS housing.
How the AMS Keeps Filament Dry
To aid in the protection of materials that are vulnerable to moisture, the standard AMS has a sealed enclosure. It has desiccant sections that soak up moisture, so the filament stays dry while stored.
Within the device, there is a humidity sensor that keeps tabs on the relative humidity. Because of this, the AMS is particularly well-suited for rapidly-absorbing materials, such as nylon and polycarbonate.
What Is AMS Lite?
A more compact and reasonably priced alternative, Bambu Lab AMS Lite is tailor-made for printers in the A-series. With four filament spools and automatic switching, it's still fully functional.
Instead of a sealed enclosure, it has an open design, which is different from the usual AMS. Even though it can't hold 16 colors, many people find it faster and easier to maintain when changing filaments.
Pros and Cons of Bambu Lab AMS
Convenience is the AMS's greatest strength. Whether you're a newbie or a corporation, this device will make multicolor printing a breeze by automating color changes and keeping filament tidy. Additionally, if one spool runs out when printing a lengthy document, it can automatically switch to the other.
Wasted materials are the main problem. Print times and purge waste are both increased by color changes. On top of that, the system is pricey, and it's possible that third-party spools won't work properly with it.
Best 3D Printing Software for Education
Having looked at how Bambu Lab AMS works, it is important to discuss the best 3D modeling tool. There are many that are available, but we recommend using SelfCAD. It is one of the best 3D printing software as it comes with all the necessary tools that one needs to create both simple and complex 3D models. It comes with interesting tools like the freehand drawing and sketching, image to 3D model, powerful 3D sculpting brushes, as well as an in-built online slicer that one can use to slice their files and prepare them for 3D printing. The video below shows the overview of the software.
Conclusion
When it comes to consumer 3D printing, Bambu Lab's multicolor system is among the easiest to use. The AMS handles spool rewinding, changes colors, loads filament automatically, and helps cut down on manual labor. Due of its wastefulness and material constraints, it is not flawless. Nonetheless, it's still one of the best options for consumers who want simpler multicolor printing.