AMS Auto-Refill change breaks usability

[MalcTheOracle]

Problem:

The changes to the AMS Auto-Refill have left it as a dangerous feature that can’t be switched off without losing the original purpose.

Scenario:

• AMS 1
  • Slot 1 - Unrelated
  • Slot 2 - Unrelated
  • Slot 3 - Black
  • Slot 4 - Green

Green ran out as I anticipated, and I went to swap it out and noticed the printer had swapped from Slot 4 Green (empty now) to Slot 3 Black.

I have Auto-Refill enabled, but, this used to be identical colour matching.

All filaments are from Bambu Lab and all were detected correctly.

Recent requests:

Many people have asked that Auto-Refill use any filament available, yet, one would hope that would be a choice am able to make.

Why does Green fail over to Black, where did I agree to that?

Slot 3 and Slot 4 are different colours.

This is how the Auto Refill option displays AFTER I turn it off!

Where is the “Use any colour” option that you would expect to find below the “AMS filament backup” option?

(Also, rename the actual checkbox caption to include “Auto-Refill”).

Conclusion

I like the ability to CHOOSE that Green could fail over to Black, but, that should be MY CHOICE.

Given how badly this worked and ruined a long print for me, why did this also fail over to the other PLA BASIC colours?

It didn’t even fail correctly.

[anon7206378]

This process only works if the nearly empty green spool and the full green spool are loaded prior to starting the print. I have tested this extensively, and it does correctly match the color when a spool of the same color is available. However, if no matching color is present, it simply defaults to the next spool with the same material type.

Additionally, it is important to note that the system cannot detect new spools added during an ongoing print, meaning it will remain unaware of the type of spool introduced mid-process.

[MalcTheOracle]

I know how it is meant to work, thus the bug report.

@anon7206378

However, if no matching color is present, it simply defaults to the next spool with the same material type.

That is clearly a bug!

The feature for auto-refill is meant to match colour as well. It should only work if two or more of the same type and colour match.

There are many requests to have it work by dismissing colour as part of the equation.

The current process is meant to be:

• Two or more matching filament spools using the supplier, type, sub-type and colour as the matching profile
• The preview should not show different colours
• If a spool runs out and a matching filament now exists, it sends a message to tell the user the printer has run out of the specific filament and to add new ones.
• Turning off the option in the AMS dialogue should also stop any Auto Refill.

The wanted process adds (documented on the forum):

• Being able to turn on ignore colour in the matching rules
• Being able to choose which colours will follow so you can finish off spools close to the end of their life and avoid choices that would use filaments you didn’t wish to be part of the chain

[anon7206378]

I don’t believe this is a bug, as the function is specifically designed to prevent paused prints.

First, it attempts to make an exact match based on both type and color.
If that fails, it selects the next available spool with the same material type.

I’ve tested this extensively and use it regularly. However, as mentioned, you cannot hotswap spools during a print. The backup spool must be loaded and present before the print starts. I’ve even tested this across the AMS system—for instance, placing the nearly empty spool in A1 and the backup in B4—and it has worked consistently every time.

That said, if you prefer not to have the backup spool loaded at the start of the print, you can simply untick the option and perform a manual spool change when needed.

I haven’t tested scenarios with different colors, as I always ensure the backup spool is loaded before the print begins. Therefore, I cannot confirm how it handles color mismatches. However, as far as I know, the system should select the next spool with matching material properties if the same color is unavailable.

[MalcTheOracle]

@MalcTheOracle

This is how the Auto Refill option displays AFTER I turn it off!

I think you missed this, this is shown AFTER I untick the option.

Also, the original feature (as I stated above) required the colour to be identical.

Others have the issue:

NEW Auto Refill update help!

Hi all, It seems as though Bambu tried to fix a problem but likely created another one in the meantime. I hope I’m wrong and I’m looking for your input! I have two AMS units connected with various types of PLA and PETG installed (All Bambu RFID). In the past, when I had a partial roll of material, it would look for both the same type and color of material to use for Auto Refil. Now, since the last update, it will choose any color of the same material it seems. My example: I have a patial …

AMS wrong Auto Refill Grouping

Hi everyone, I’m having a bit of trouble with my BambuLab P1S with the AMS system, and I’m hoping someone can help me out. The AMS seems to be acting up as it never suggests the same type of filament for backups or replacements, as you can see in the three screenshots I’ve attached. I’m wondering if this is something I might be doing wrong, or if there’s a setting somewhere that allows me to specify which filament should be used as a backup. Any insights would be greatly appreciated! [autore…

Others want the bug I am experiencing:

How to trick my AMS into autorefill with another color?

I understand that you can only set up autorefill if the second spool is the same brand, material, and color. The latter is not important to me, so I’d like to trick my AMS Lite into thinking the second spool is the same color. However, since all of my spools are Bambu Lab brand, they all have the RFID tag and the AMS knows what they are. How can I get my AMS to think the second spool is the same color as the first and therefore set up autorefill?

Auto Refill with different color filament if AMS spool finished?

How can Bambu Studio and an X1C+AMS be configured to start printing with one colour BBL PETG (black in slot 4) and then continue (Auto Refill) with a different colour BBL filament of the same type (PETG grey in slot 1) when the first spool runs out?

It doesn’t switch it off on any of my printers, here are a few, ALL have the option unticked.

This one doesn’t even have filament in slot A1!

[anon7206378]

Then I must be lucky, as I haven’t experienced that problem at all. I even tried to force a color mismatch, and the print didn’t proceed, even with seven different PLA spools loaded in various colors.

Could it be that we’re using different firmware versions?

[MalcTheOracle]

You are on a beta release!

[Dr.Ew]

This is hilarious. I’m so jealous of your bug. Thanks for linking my post.

[anon7206378]

Yes, but I’ve never had that problem before this beta either. Previously, I was using version 1.10.0.50 without any issues, so I’m not sure what the problem could be if you’re using Bambulab’s filament, have the latest firmware, etc.

I even tried selecting Jade White for my PLA manually without syncing with the AMS, and it still switched as it should.

Perhaps trying the beta version might resolve the issue for you. If you figure out what’s causing the problem, let me know!

[MalcTheOracle]

As @Dr.Ew just pointed out, my negative experience is his wish!

My bug is his feature and we both want what the other has!

I want his “feature” if I can choose to have it, when and how!

[CanDo]

The substitution could be illustrated better, as the image implies a cyclical substitution. When green runs out it continues with black, but then does it try A4 again? This feature appears rushed to release without sufficient thought/testing.

To avoid confusion, it would be clearer if there was a checkbox “Auto refill with different colours”

And the terms “AMS filament backup” and “Auto refill” should both be changed to use the same term to avoid confusion, perhaps “AMS Auto Refill”.

[ElektroQuark]

@CanDo

The substitution could be illustrated better, as the image implies a cyclical substitution.

Maybe it wants to implie that when A3 is out of filament it will go to A4 and if you reload A3 it could go from A4 to A3 again if A4 runs out too.

I have not tested it.

[CanDo]

In my experience hot-swapping spools while printing has not worked before, and there’s a comment to this effect above. It would be a great feature.

[anon7206378]

Aren’t ‘Auto Refill’ and ‘AMS Filament Backup’ two distinct features? ‘Auto Refill’ selects any available color with the same properties, while ‘AMS Filament Backup’ matches the exact filament type and color before switching spools. In any case, the distinctions between these features should be clarified, and users should have full control over their settings.

[protoboard]

On latest versions: Where are the settings? All I got is this:

[MalcTheOracle]

You have displayed the settings dialogue that you are asking about.

[protoboard]

I meant these ones—but maybe I need to slice a model first?

[protoboard]

OK, so RFID-rotating-arrow-thingy is not correct. UI

[protoboard]

Nope, can’t find it. “…same color”

[LukaS3]

that makes two of us. Nothing new regarding filament backup.

Haven’t opened it in a while so I thought to check out some new feature in Bambu slicer but nothing new. Go back to old tracks.