Non-Bambu Lab PLA in the AMS

Bambu Lab AMS Troubleshooting
1

Hi All,

I have found that when I use non-Bambu Lab PLA (Sunlu) in the AMS, the AMS is more likely to jam when changing filaments. This rarely happens when using Bambu Lab PLA. Any suggestions on brands that work well with the AMS?

Thanks!

2

I use a LOT of offbrand filament and have no such problem. Would you be using Sunlu spools by chance? In my experience using Bambu spools (even the printed version) in the AMS is key to reliability, I donā€™t suffer jumps, jams, feed or retraction issues and have over 2k hours on my first one. Any brand filament will be fine, its the spool that will cause the issue predominantly. Respooling to a bambu spool would be the ideal solution.

3

Never had this issue either, this must be something on your end.

4

Not had any issue either. Are you 100% sure your filament is dry? Iā€™ve had some break (but not jam) that after drying they had no problem.

5

I donā€™t often use different brands, but when I do itā€™s Sunlu.
download

Iā€™ve not had jams as well. Youā€™ve got something else going on.

6

Only thing Iā€™ve found out with the AMS and Bambu spools is using those snap in filament clips on the left side of the spool(spool installed, facing ams from front), they can catch on the ā€˜groveā€™ the spool will ride in and stop the spool. Only noticed this on unloading.

Otherwise no issues using different brands here as well

7

Thanks, everyone. To clarify, the error message I get is ā€œfailed to feed the filament into the tool head,ā€ but if I hit retry, it usually loads fine. It is an intermittent problem, so it is hard to diagnose. I will experiment with other PLA brands and see how it goes. Do you usually use the ā€œGeneric PLAā€ setting for non-Bambu Lab filaments? I see some of the manufacturers have released Bambu Lab profiles.

8

I didnā€™t notice you saying if the spools are plastic or cardboard.

If they are cardboard, you should have them in 3D printed hubs that attach to both sides as almost all cardboard spools do not last long in the AMS die to the motor system rubbing against the cardboard.

If you are using plastic spools, make sure they are the correct size. Do they sit on both sets of rollers? Front and back without wobbling. If they wobble, you will have an issue.

All spools have common issues of tangles where the filament just trapped by another piece that sits over the top off of the nearest section to the outlet.

I had to deal with that repeatedly with a spool of Yousu PLA silk silver, I think 5 or 6 times the filament was trapped by other filament I needed to manually free it. (Fun times)

9

I have one of those clips published (people really like it) and I clearly state in the Description that the clip must be installed in the right side of the spool.
Bambu Lab spool specific filament clip

10

You assume users can read or do read, YOUR FAULT.

The attempt at humour is aimed at those who canā€™t follow instructions, not you who told them how to use it.

1 Like
11

Yeah, I receive sometimes a comment about it not working in the AMS. A little lecture and they have it working correctly.

Cā€™est la vie

12

Wasnā€™t the one I printed, but thanks

13

I wasnā€™t trying to imply that, sorry.

14

These intermittent feeding issues do indicate friction problems within the overall feeding system. Sometimes a little rerouting of the bowden tubing from the AMS to the buffer and from there to the extr. tool head can resolve these issues.
Also to consider is that some none BL spools are a bit smaller than the 200mm OD of the BL ones and that can cause some added friction since the spool rim may contact the housing components which can then cause issues with unspooling and rewinding.

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The Sunlu spools I have are around 195mm OD which normally still works ok in the AMS but with tolerances on the spools and also the AMS housing you still may get occasions where they can cause issues. Personally I use an adapter that relocates the rear idler roller a little bit for these slightly smaller spools (180-195mm OD).

1 Like
15

Thatā€™s a really interesting point. I just purchased filament from 3D Fuel. They updated their spools to be compatible with the AMS. Curious to see how well they perform. Many thanks!

16

Hi All,

Update - well, the problem is semi-resolved. I mentioned getting an AMS error when switching from a Bambu Lab to a non-Bambu Lab filament during a print. If it happens and I get an error, I hit ā€œretryā€ within BL Studio, and the filament usually loads fine. I am currently working on a print with one BL roll of PLA and one roll of Hatchbox PLA. Every time the AMS tries to switch from the BL PLA to the HB PLA it does not go through on the first try. The AMS retracts and tries again, and the HB filament loads fine. The print is coming out great, if a little slower.

Thanks to everyone for your input.