Multimaterial printing using both AMS and the spool holder

Bambu Lab X1 Series
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As the title suggests, I am trying to print a multimaterial model using different materials at different layers.

I start with 5 layers of Silk PLA, then switch to a PLA+ and do most of the layers with that. This is no problem as the AMS will happily switch and print these materials.

My problem is that I want to finish off the print with 2 layers of TPU to achieve a rubberized bottom on the print so it doesn’t slide.

I am aware that TPU is not compatible with the AMS and although I can force a filament change at the correct layer and choose TPU from the spool holder in Bambu Studio, when I send the print to the printer Bambu Studio wants me to either enable AMS or not. If I enable AMS, it cannot send the print because I have chosen TPU which is not compatible with the AMS. If I turn off the AMS, the print is sent to the printer and I am asked to manually feed from the spool holder the first filament. When I do this the printer simply prints the entire model with this filament ignoring my filament changes at the given layers.

This seems like a pretty straight forward option to have, to do the multimaterial printing including both the AMS and the spoolholder but somehow I cannot figure out how to enable this.

Can someone suggest what to do in order to be able to print multimaterial prints utilizing both the AMS and the spoolholder in the same print?

Thank you

2 Likes
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I went through the hoops on this and the only way is to use the external spool for ALL the filaments. This works perfectly fine if you only have to do a few manual swaps. There’s no way to do it through the AMS that I am aware of.

In the end it turns out TPU does not bond well to PLA so the whole thing was a waste. I ended up using super glue to reattach my TPU “feet” after they fell off and the bond is incredibly strong that way. Since then I heavily incorporate printing things in multiple pieces and gluing them together. The super glue bonds are much stronger than printed layer to layer adhesion so it can really improve strength.

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Can you tell me how you got the printer to allow you to change filament spools on the spoolholder? I would not mind giving this a go. When I try to use the spool holder only, the printer simply ignores my filament changes and prints everything with the first chosen filament.

The print I am trying to do would not allow for glueing TPU feet to it. I use that method on pretty much anything else and agree with your assessment in general, but I would like to try this just to see how it would work.

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Here’s how I do it:

  1. Prepare your print as you normally would using as many “AMS” slots as necessary for your multi filament/color print. I use the height modifiers to switch between filaments with different temps or pressure advance which is likely the case with PLA to TPU.
  2. Slice as normal.
  3. In the preview window go to the layer you want to change filament on and right click the “+” icon and choose “Add Pause” (NOT Change filament). You can only change between layers with this method.
  4. You then have to re-slice and do a pause for each filament change you intend.
  5. At the printer use the load/unload to manually load up the first filament using the external spool.
  6. When you “Send” to printer at the end just make sure to disable/uncheck the Enable AMS.
  7. At each pause in the print use the unload/load functions to manually load each filament. It should change temperature, K factor, etc that you set up with height modifiers earlier.

I think I had to set the TPU max flow to like 2mm/s or something super slow to get it to print nice. I also found that TPU bonds better to PETG than PLA if that’s an option for you.

5 Likes
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Thanks, I’m gonna try this. I had the change filament in the preview instead of pause, that might be what messed it up.

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After trying the described solution, this method definitely works and I achieved my desired result. I didn’t have adhesion issues with the TPU printing hot at 240C but the process was more involved and somehow the flush of the 1st filament to the 2nd filament didn’t entirely remove the first filament resulting in a bit of a mixed color… I am unsure whether the manual filament unloading and loading process has different flushing volumes than the AMS filament change but ultimately it worked, so thanks.

Bambu should consider making it possible to print with a layer change with a material fed from the spool holder but having the rest managed by the AMS.

10 Likes
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I have found out the same thing.

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This did not work for me. When I disable AMS, the Load and Unload buttons are disabled as well, so I can’t load any filaments from there. I went back to the most basic method of feeding each filament, by hand, into the Bowden tube, and withdrawing it by hand as well. I would guess that the AMS is totally disabled in the current firmware, whereas in 2023 it was only partially disabled.

BTW, the TPU stuck well to PLA Basic when the common area was 5mm or more. When less than that, a simple tug on the TPU sent it flying. It also had trouble laying down a smooth first TPU layer on the PLA. [PLA was printed first].

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This is exactley what I intend to do as well. I managed to do one change of material, although I did not change any settings (the X1 printed PLA-CF with TPU Settings).

There is a firmware upgrade for the AMS which I have not done yet. I was able to use the load/unload buttons.

I often use PETG as support for PLA, which only works with the AMS. So the complete manual process is not really an option for me. Bambulab should allow to use the ams regularly and then change to the 5th material (external spool). Basically, you would have to do all changes to TPU manally, but it would allow for completely new prints. Sort of “co-working” between AMS and human.

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