This proposed method would benefit users using the AMS Hub and 2+ AMS units. It would not reduce waste filament, but would shorten print time significantly, and reduce wear and tear on motors and PTFE tubing. As well as avoid some filament pullback and loading errors that can occur occasionally with multiple filament prints.
This method is predicated on sensors existing inside of the AMS Hub to detect filament at the entrance to the hub, or that a new AMS Hub with the needed sensors could be easily produced.
I have an X1C with 4x AMS units. The printer is below shelfs that each have a pair of AMS units, so the AMS pushed and retracts about 3’ of filament from the top shelf AMS units to load it into the printer.
Proposed Method:
Filament is retracted ONLY as far as the AMS hub entrance, rather than fully re-spooling inside the AMS.
This would of course be limited to the number of AMS units, and colors would need to be loaded into separate AMS, otherwise the full retraction would still apply for multiple colors in the same AMS.
Since a retraction and push cycle can take 30-60 seconds, this could save hours on a print with an over 100 color changes. On a 400 color change print, this savings could easily reduce the print time by 6 hours.
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To clarify, you are proposing the hub be a buffer point that one filament per AMS could benefit from at any one time.
Assuming this very simplified example.
AMS 1
AMS 2
When the print first requires red, it is pulled out of AMS 1 through the hub and into the printer to use.
The printer now requires orange, red is backed out to the hub just slightly away from the common single path, not the AMS 1. Orange is now pulled from AMS 2 into the hub, red isn’t in the way, pulled into the printer and into use.
Now, the printer requires red again, Orange is pulled back to the hub and sits just outside the common path, Red it pulled in from its parked placed just outside the hub into the printer, saving the length of travel from the AMS 1 to the hub as it was already parked there.
Next the print requires blue, as red is in the printer and blue is on the same AMS, red is pulled back to the AMS and blue is brought all the way to the printer.
Do I understand your premise correctly?
I do not believe the current AMS or AMS Hub have sufficient sensors to achieve this.
That said, an interesting way to reduce some delay. Different prints would benefit differently and you could consider how you filled each AMS in order to reduce clashes where possible.
Interesting.
The A series printers have a huge advantage in this regard as they are parked just above the print head for each removal. But, only one AMS lite is possible of course.
Yes, you are understanding the idea correctly.
I had guessed it would likely require an updated AMS hub. It crossed my mind since I have been printing some multicolor prints that take a couple of days each. With an average of 300-400 filament swaps per print, even if I could save 30 seconds per swap (I timed the retraction/push cycle) that would shave 2.5 to 3 hours of time off of the print.
Alternatively, if it at least knew enough to know when a filament had cleared the hub, it could start to push the next filament (from different AMS) while the retraction of the first completes. I think the other method would be more beneficial due to the reduced wear and tear. But if it at least was able to simultaneously retract and push that would still save half the time.