[3D Printing News] Bambu Lab AMS Explained! The Secret to Multi-Color Printing!
Color 3D printing is one of the few rational reasons Bambu Lab chose 3D printers as a development project. Initially, Bambu Lab naively and bravely thought they could have a full-color printer within 18 months that would overshadow other printers on the market. Printing with a single material is boring, and mixed-color printing can be very messy. Twenty-two months after Bambu Lab started this project, an interim solution finally emerged: the Automatic Material System (AMS).
Technical Background
There are multiple multi-color feeding systems on the market. Prusa has two generations of MMU, and Mosaic has three generations of Palette. Bambu Lab's AMS is similar to these two on the market. Both use a single-input, single-output hotend, avoiding the hassle of constant clogging in multi-input, single-output methods, but requiring a large amount of filament to be purged to prevent color contamination. There are also multi-toolhead methods to meet multi-material needs, which Prusa's latest XL has adopted. However, Bambu Lab was not confident in the mechanical reliability of layer-by-layer toolhead switching, so the current system architecture was finalized at the end of 2020.
Detail Design
Here's how the AMS works; it consists of three main parts: a set of four spool holders, a hub, and a buffer. Each spool holder has its own motor, actively pushing filament forward or retracting it back onto the spool. During extrusion, it pulls the filament like an extruder. When the filament needs to be retracted, the spool rotates. The hub merges the four filament paths into one and provides a second stage of driving force to the filament via a brushless motor. The buffer is located at the back of the printer, relatively close to the tool head extruder, to ensure that the filament tension is within a certain range, allowing the tool head extruder to operate easily and precisely. Overall, there are 10 sensors along the filament path, plus an odometer in the hub. Therefore, the filament's position, speed, and tension are monitored and controlled.
Spool holder with active rollers
Filament path from AMS to printer, with buffer in the center
In addition to these filament feeding components, the entire system is sealed and has a humidity sensor. Silicone O-rings are added to ensure moisture cannot enter, thus protecting hygroscopic filaments like PA, PC, etc. On the printer body, there is a waste chute for purging material, which reduces the time spent on printing purge towers, and a filament cutter on the tool head to cut off unneeded filament.
Purge chute entrance, white roller is the nozzle wiper
Excess filament cleaning exit
Advantages
1. Filament position, speed, and tension are actively controlled, allowing the printer to always operate under ideal conditions.
2. No messy filament around; all retracted filament returns to the spool.
3. Ideal storage for hygroscopic filaments like PA, PC, PVA, and PETG.
4. Much better reliability than MMU2.
5. Overall, it looks beautiful and tidy.
Disadvantages
1. Still requires purging waste.
2. Filament switching takes time.
3. Incompatible with flexible materials like TPU.
4. Not very compatible with cardboard spools, which can produce debris and clog the system.
5. While reliability has improved, it's still not as good as a copier.
1. Filament position, speed, and tension are actively controlled, allowing the printer to always operate under ideal conditions.
2. No messy filament around; all retracted filament returns to the spool.
3. Ideal storage for hygroscopic filaments like PA, PC, PVA, and PETG.
4. Much better reliability than MMU2.
5. Overall, it looks beautiful and tidy.
Disadvantages
1. Still requires purging waste.
2. Filament switching takes time.
3. Incompatible with flexible materials like TPU.
4. Not very compatible with cardboard spools, which can produce debris and clog the system.
5. While reliability has improved, it's still not as good as a copier.
FAQs
1. Is the RFID identification device a closed ecosystem?
No, AMS is compatible with most filaments outside. The presence of RFID is to enhance the user experience with Bambu filaments; for example, you can insert four Bambu spools in random order, and the AMS can automatically identify them. For filaments without RFID, you must select the color and material type in the slicer software or on the touchscreen.
2. AMS has four slots, why is it called 4*4 colors?
You can use the AMS hub accessory to connect up to 4 AMS units to one printer, so you can have up to 4*4, or 16 colors or materials.
3. Is there desiccant in the AMS?
No. With a well-designed airtight structure, there's no need for a desiccant in the AMS. There are two slots in the AMS that can hold two desiccant bags to keep the system dry for a long time. When the desiccant is used up, the humidity sensor will remind you to replace it.
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References
1. Is the RFID identification device a closed ecosystem?
No, AMS is compatible with most filaments outside. The presence of RFID is to enhance the user experience with Bambu filaments; for example, you can insert four Bambu spools in random order, and the AMS can automatically identify them. For filaments without RFID, you must select the color and material type in the slicer software or on the touchscreen.
2. AMS has four slots, why is it called 4*4 colors?
You can use the AMS hub accessory to connect up to 4 AMS units to one printer, so you can have up to 4*4, or 16 colors or materials.
3. Is there desiccant in the AMS?
No. With a well-designed airtight structure, there's no need for a desiccant in the AMS. There are two slots in the AMS that can hold two desiccant bags to keep the system dry for a long time. When the desiccant is used up, the humidity sensor will remind you to replace it.
Did you enjoy this sharing? Visit our online store now to learn more about 3D printing filaments and 3D printers, or contact us for high-quality 3D printing services.
Follow our fan pages for the latest news:https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
https://www.instagram.com/3dmart/
References