I apologize for asking but I can’t seem to find a good answer for this online. I am ready to get my X1C with an AMS 2. I’ll start with one printer and one AMS but will eventually end up with one Printer with 4 AMS. And possibly a second unit with at least one AMS.
I’m building the multi AMS unit first and my reading makes it sound like for that unit I should start with a hub since I’d need one soon (buying the original unit in this week and the other AMS in 2 weeks). IS that correct or would you direct me otherwise?
And while 4 AMS may seem like overkill for a hobbyist I’m confident in that choice. The only pause I have is I’m considering a second machine just for wood filaments with the occasional carbon fiber print.
The road you’re going down is exactly what I did also. IMO your description is the correct way to go. 1 x Bambu Lab AMS Hub will allow connection of up to 4 AMS 2 systems. I added the power adaptors for each AMS so I could utilise filament drying function in the AMS. I use a “y” splitter and the external roll system for the wood and other filaments as needed. There are many models in makerworkd. This is one I used: Easy Split - PTFE Y-Splitter by ByteSlinger MakerWorld: Download Free 3D Models
You’re correct; the hub is necessary as soon as you move to more than one AMS.
Since you only need the hub with the second AMS, assuming that your second AMS is the AMS2 model, I would advise buying the AMS and adding the upgrade kit (the one with the hub), which will come at a 20% discount.
It’s not overkill. If you have the money and the need, having 16 filaments ready to print would be great.
It’s unclear what your plan is, but a second X1C, in my opinion, is only worth it if you print those materials regularly. Assuming that carbon filaments are engineering ones (e.g. PA-CF pr PET-CF) and the wood content is higher (e.g. above 30%), a 0.6mm nozzle is required. Note that for these types of materials, the AMS is pointless.
“Since you only need the hub with the second AMS, assuming that your second AMS is the AMS2 model, I would advise buying the AMS and adding the upgrade kit (the one with the hub), which will come at a 20% discount.”
Are you saying here that I should buy the hub when I get the second AMS? My plan was to buy the X1C with an AMS and a hub, then buy additional AMS with power as needed?
“Assuming that carbon filaments are engineering ones (e.g. PA-CF pr PET-CF) and the wood content is higher (e.g. above 30%), a 0.6mm nozzle is required. Note that for these types of materials, the AMS is pointless.”
So should I run wood/cf filaments from the side spool and just change to to .6 nozzle when needed?
What I meant relates to cost-effectiveness, meaning try to benefit from bundle discounts.
But since you’re acquiring an X1CC (AMS2), you can get the hub for 20€, which seems the best investment, and thus forget my early advice. The only additional accessory I recommend is the Bambu 4-in-1 PTFE Adapter for easily dealing with external spools (it is also on discount if acquired with AMS2).
Wood and CF filaments are a broad category concerning needing or not a 0.6mm or larger hardened steel nozzle and AMS compatibility.
If your goals are PLA-CF and PETG-CF and low wood content filaments (e.g. BL PLA Wood - note: the low wood content isn’t a criticism), they will run from the AMS and with a 0.4mm nozzle (assuming you use the hardened steel nozzle as the default).
Engineering-grade CF filaments, high-content wood, and those with other fibres, such as GF, bring different challenges and requirements. For those, a large diameter nozzle is a must to avoid clogs, and AMS isn’t compatible (the 4-in-1 adapter is quite helpful to eliminate the need to plug/unplug PTFE tubes). Are these the ones you plan to use regularly that make you consider a second machine?
I got .2, .4 and .6 nozzles (and a backup of each).
I believe I may want to print lots of things in wood, and thats wy I’m considering a machine specific to the material. I just need to run some stuff and see how it actually comes out. I honestly wont run very much CF based stuff and I’d run it on the wood machine.
Most of my prints will probably be PLA or PETG. I think I’m leaning towards PLA, which is mostly what I print with now, but we’ll see. The ability to have a printer that just works and for the most part give up the “making my printer” work part of the hobby is exciting for me and I may expand to other filaments.
I’m also probably going to exclusively use Bambu filaments, but we’ll see.
90% of the stuff I print is either inserts for board games or pieces/upgrades for board games tho I am planning on branching out.
I guess the X1C choice over a P1S is backed up by the need to print night and day, and thus avoid failures when unattended.
If using BL wood filament, you don’t need a dedicated printer. BL wood PLA is AMS compatible, so you can benefit from the AMS drying feature (essential) or even do multi-material printing. Also, there is no need for the 0.6mm nozzle.
Even with other brand wood PLA, if below 20% (most typical and adequate for your goals), it’s still the same as printing PLA or PETG.
I don’t notice contamination, i.e. dirty extruder and nozzle, transferred to other filament. If you see such over time, just run a clean filament between prints.
I went with the X1C because I could afford it and I thought why not. I dont think I’ll print night and day but I would like the option to print as often as I want without any issues.
