So here’s the thing. I have been reading and reading about a 5th+ color(s) on the A1 Mini. This came up when I had a model that had 5 colors on every slice. I know, can’t be done…and I see why.
I was going to install it, but is it really worth the effort?? I mean, truly worth it? On that 5 color model I ended up doubling up one of the colors. It turned out OK…but the 5 color version looked way better.
Is there any way to have the A1 Mini print in 5 colors? When I download a model with more than 4 colors, how can I tell if there is a pause built in? Or do I have to always ad it? I have been pushing the A1 Mini right to the edge but this may be a bridge too far. I went looking for a 6 filament AMS unit but found none compatible. I was hoping that if I could get a 5 or 6 color AMS unit, the printer would feed the associated color when it was called.
Am I wasting my tinme here? Anyway, thanks for any and all input.
Just because you connect a hub with multiple ports to an A1 Mini, the printer can’t simply print more colours than intended. The deciding factor is the AMS hardware that comes before it.
If you connect an AMS Lite, it will remain at 4 colors.
To print additional colors with the A1 series, you’ll need multiple AMS units as described in this guide - just scroll down to the A1 section.
Why are some people now making a hub with five inputs on the tool head? The answer is simple: so that you can use the external spool, but not switching during printing. Instead, you manually feed the filament in a little bit at the start of the print and only use this filament.
The correct description would therefore not be “5 colors” but rather: “4 colors or, optionally, only an external filament.” That’s why the creator correctly labeled it “5 ports” and not “5 colors.”
It just makes it easier to deal with external spools if you use them frequently.
