Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which of your spools fit Bambu Lab AMS?
All standard spool sizes fit the Bambu Lab AMS, except:
- Protopasta and Fillamentum 15g samples are supplied in coils. These will need to be re-wound into a donor spool.
- Non-standard sizes such as 2.5kg spools.
- Protopasta and Polymaker cardboard spools are not advised to be fitted into the AMS because the dust build up will cause the AMS rollers to malfunction.
2. Why does filament become entangled?
Bambu-supplied filament severely entangled in Bambu AMS.
Prusament is perfectly spooled from the factory, yet it still became entangled. There are several things that one should keep in mind when handling filament:
- Do not allow filament to uncoil when loading or unloading. Always keep it secure, and maintain tension on the filament.
- When placing the spool, ensure that the filament path has a large radius and is unobstructed and is not pinched.
- Avoid storing filament laying on its side.
- On the Bambu AMS, there is a high chance of entanglement, especially if the motor unwinds and rewinds the spool to check for the RFID tag during early firmware releases. This issue has been somewhat mitigated in later firmware releases. However the rollers have to spin for a long time to rewind and unwind each time there is a filament change. Always keep a watchful eye over your AMS-equipped machine.
MatterHackers has an article explaining this as well.
3. How long can filament last?
Unopened filament can last a long time, considering that plastic waste is a real problem in the environment. Printability is shortened when the filament is exposed to air and sunlight, or stored in tight coils. To extend printability, store it with desiccants in BoPET vacuum bags like those that Fillamentum uses. BoPET vacuum bags are superior compared to regular vacuum bags as they offer better protection from moisture, oxygen, UV etc.
4. Why does your product cost $X?
Pricing is determined by many factors, but the following are primary cost drivers: material type, country of origin, quality standards, carrying costs, foreign exchange rates, and volume. We strive to maintain MSRP compared to what the product sells for in its country of origin, but are sometimes unable to do so due to factors beyond our control. For example, certain products may be designated as Dangerous Goods and thus attract very high shipping fees, which are part of GST calculations. Double-whammy.
Another example: Fillamentum has an uncommon certification for filament manufacturers: it is an ISO 9001:2015-certified company This means Fillamentum has a Quality Management System in place to ensure its products are consistently produced to the highest standards. Defects are tracked and corrected. Regular audits and meetings to address non-conformance are required.