Print times using support material in AUX hotend

Bambu Lab X Series Bambu Lab X2D
1

I’m new to Bambu and to having an AMS. I have an X2D with an AMS2 Pro and an AMS HT.

I tried to do a print using support material loaded in the HT so no swapping nozzles. Still however the time spent on the prime tower was 31 minutes out of the 90 total to do the print.
Why a prime tower in this config? I must be doing something wrong. I have uploaded the .3mf file if that helps.

Night Light II.gcode.3mf (710.6 KB)

2

A couple of minor suggestions,

prime tower

Turn off rib width, brim, reduce width of tower.

Those support trees go to the top and so that is why it has to go to the prime tower for so long

Your model will not allow me to change to prepare tab. I was going to look at laying it on its side with support that would allow less travel to prime tower. but it advises me its a beta studio.

4

Thanks for the tips. I have tried playing with these settings but they aren’t straight forward. I think it is going to take a while to learn how best to allocate filament to the AMS(s). Perhaps I should just accept the allocations done by Studio. It seems you need to slice and then put the filaments into the AMS(s) as per the slicing summary.

5

Unticking the rib first will allow you to change width etc.

Put your support in HT, put your premier choice for left nozzle in ams, Synchronise filaments / ams etc and you should be able to select your filaments on prepare tab for printing and grouping and the when you slice it should reflect your choice.

6

Thanks again. I think I started out with a few misconceptions. I thought if you had the support material in the HT and only one other filament, then a prime tower would not be required. But I am starting to realise that when using both nozzles then the one not in use cools and then when it comes back in use it has to heat again and a small print is done on the prime tower before it goes back to the model.

Is this correct? It does make sense when I think about it.

So why do people use different support material. It doesn’t seem to be cheap, and prints take longer.

7

yes, tower is to ensure it flows correctly after purging. Both can be tweeked to speed things up.

You do not have to use the “support” material from Bambu. Lots of people when printing PLA use PETG for support. I would suggest trawling the forum or net for suggestions.

8

(I’ve been doing a lot of research as I may buy soon.)

Apparently, different materials don’t stick well to each other, so it’s easier to remove supports and you get much cleaner supported faces. (@Mrburns is right about PETG/PLA. Also, you can just use the “support” material just at the interface [between part and support].)

9

Now that is an interesting idea. How can you change the filament for the support as it gets near the model.

Aah - found it.

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