I just bought the A1 (non-AMS) and noticed the spool holder assembly has the threads to take another spool holder and PTFE Tube Connector opposite the existing one.
I know swapping spools isn’t automated without AMS but if I want to swap from one spool to the other. Say if one spool is running out or if I want to change colour by using the other spool, what is the best way to do this as seamlessly as possible?.
Also is it possible to do it on the fly once printing has started without previously setting it up in Bambu Studio?.
I think it’s just so you can unscrew the spool holder and filament guide from the left and screw it into the right side. Presumably for clearance and whatnot depending on your circumstance and available space.
I guess you could design or obtain a copy of an STL for the spool holder and install a second spool.
You would either have to set a pause in studio or hit pause on the touch screen, then when the printer pauses select unload filament pull it back into the first tube, select load filament and push in your other filament. I would think you could only change colour though, not type
I change spools manually like that for printing text that sticks up from a print.
The filament assembly can be positioned anywhere on the cross-beam so I don’t think it is for clearance and I am surprised it isn’t documented anywhere.
I’ve already found and printed a spool holder and was relived to find it as they don’t sell one on the Bambu Store even though they sell the PTFE Tube and Connector.
In any case I did a print today and changed spools twice with no problems.
Just a heads up though, you don’t unload and load the filament. That would end the print. You pause the print and cut the filament manually and use the nozzle commands to retract the filament. You then insert the new filament and use that command to feed the filament into the nozzle. Then unpause.
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Looks like you have a solution. Congrats. Do you have any stability problems with the printer shaking around when you have 2 kilos on top of the printer?
My printers don’t shake at all. I have an A1 and A1 Mini. Both rock solid and stable. Also, the beauty of the spool assembly is you can place it right in the middle of the printer for perfect balance. I’ve seen people put their whole AMS system of 4 spools on top of the printer to save space with no issues.
There shouldn’t be any stability issues. A lot of people have their AMS Lite mounted in the same place, and they don’t have any issues.
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Thanks for the input .
I printed a second filament assemble and connected with a second PTFE tube.
On the second assemble I mounted 2 connectors, so the tube’s can stay connected. The only (problem) thing is that when I change from colour I have to do it manuel. No pro with that. The only question I have is. what about the slicer ? What about the software, for working with 2 spouls instead of the AMS ?
As far as the software and slicer is concerned you are still using one spool. It doesn’t know why you are putting in a pause to replace the colour change. For all it knows you are clearing a blockage and continuing with the same filament.
I’m currently changing filaments up to 4 times with no problem. I’m using Bambu Studio.
Pausing then unloading and loading doesn’t end the print. But, the screen will nag you to restart the print while doing so and it’s easy to accidentally restart the print in the middle of the swap if you’re not watching what you’re doing.
However, it’s a big time and filament saver to go the manual cut route as you don’t go through the whole purge process.
HI Armyflier, I’ve never been “nagged” to restart a print during a pause when using Bambu Studio. I can take as long as I like. Bear in mind these pauses are part of the slice, not a manual pause.
And a tip for doing this. When you delete the change of filament, place the pause one step before that intended colour change.
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I meant on the screen of the printer, a prompt will continue to appear to restart the print. I may not have been clear on that.