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Bambu Lab’s Automatic Material System and the Importance of Humidity Control
The Bambu Lab Automatic Material System (AMS) revolutionizes 3D printing by streamlining filament management for multi-material and multi-color projects. Designed to work seamlessly with Bambu Lab’s advanced 3D printers, the AMS automates filament swapping and ensures precise material handling, eliminating manual intervention during complex prints. With its smart storage and compatibility with various filament types, it enhances productivity and reduces the risk of errors, making it an essential tool for professionals and hobbyists alike.
A feature of the AMS is its focus on humidity control, a critical factor in maintaining filament quality. It does this by utilizing an air-tight seal and with the help of dessicant material, it absorbs moisture to keep the moisture away from filament.
A Humidity Sensor also detects the humidity inside the AMS and provides information to the user when the humidity is higher or the dessicant may need to be replaced.
Why Minimize Humidity?
Humidity can wreak havoc on filament properties. When filaments absorb moisture, several issues can arise during printing. Moisture-laden filaments can lead to poor adhesion between layers, causing warping or misshaping of the final print. Additionally, when moisture in the filament is heated during the printing process, it turns into steam, creating tiny bubbles or voids in the extruded material, which severely affects the strength and aesthetics of the print.
The Science Behind Humidity Impact
At a microscopic level, moisture impacts the filament’s viscosity during the melting process. This alteration can lead to inconsistent extrusion rates, which are critical for precision in 3D printing. Filaments like PLA, PETG, and especially hygroscopic materials like Nylon or TPU can absorb moisture from the air, leading to compromised prints, such as stringing, bubbling, or weak layer adhesion.
Improvements
Although the AMS system performs well in maintaining a consistent and steady humidity level, there is still room for improvement to optimize its performance. While it effectively handles standard conditions, certain scenarios or environmental factors may expose limitations in its ability to maintain ideal humidity levels.
One of the most significant issues I’ve noticed is that the desiccant used (and sold by Bambu) isn’t rechargeable. To be frank, it’s not particularly effective either. Each AMS unit relies on two desiccant packs, which, in my experience, only last about a month—even in a relatively dry environment. And did I mention they’re not rechargeable? This is because the desiccant is made from calcium chloride (CaCl2), which inherently lacks the ability to be regenerated for repeated use.
Calcium chloride is an inorganic compound – a salt with the chemical formula CaCl2. It is white flakes or pellets at room temperature, and is highly soluble in water.
Enter AMS DryPods designed by mcmaven. With over 28k downloads it’s one of the best solutions out there.
What are DryPods you might be asking? DryPods are compact desiccant packs designed to absorb moisture and reduce humidity in enclosed spaces. DryPods typically contain a hygroscopic material, such as silica gel or calcium chloride, which attracts and traps moisture from the air. Depending on their design, some DryPods are reusable and can be recharged by heating to expel absorbed moisture, while others are single-use and need replacement after becoming saturated.
These DryPods are 3d printable and contain printable desiccant trays as well as desiccant containers that slide inbetween the first stage feeder motors. The containers come in several variations to include Wide DryPod options that can hold hygrometers.
- For Bambu or compatible Round Hygrometer with vertical or 30 degree tabs, with a hole all the way through it, which should generate more accurate measurements. A 42mm diameter x 14mm deep body and a 46mm diameter bezel is supported. (Default on Plate 1.)
- For Bambu or compatible Round Hygrometer with a shallow hole for the hygrometer, which allows the DryPod hold more desiccant, but may be less accurate in measuring the overall humidity level of the AMS. A 42mm diameter x 14mm deep body and a 46mm diameter bezel is supported. (Floating).
- For the Bambu Rectangular Hygrometer. A 45x26x15mm body and a 48x29mm bezel is supported. (Floating).
- For the Xiaomi Bluetooth Thermometer Hygrometer. A 43x43x12.5 mm body is supported.(Floating).
The integration of a hygrometer in the AMS DryPods setup allows for real-time monitoring of the humidity levels. This precision ensures that the environment within the DryPod remains at an ideal humidity level, often recommended to be below 15% for most materials.
There are also smaller containers (narrower) that can be slotted on the outside of the feeder motors.
With fresh desiccant, the humidity dropped to 10% (Level 1) within a few hours and remained as low as 20% (Level 2) even after six months.
Stefan from CNC Kitchen has created an excellent and detailed video exploring the different types of desiccants, their pros and cons, and various methods for drying them. While he focuses heavily on filament bags, the drying techniques he explains are equally applicable to loose desiccant. It’s an insightful resource for anyone looking to optimize moisture control.
Conclusion
The integration of systems like the Bambu Lab AMS with advanced humidity controls such as DryPods using rechargeable desiccant highlights the growing sophistication of 3D printing technology. By tackling the critical issue of humidity’s impact on filaments, Bambu Lab is setting a new standard for reliability and efficiency in 3D printing. These innovations empower both enthusiasts and professionals to achieve higher-quality results with greater consistency. As the industry continues to evolve, systems like these are likely to become essential tools in the world of additive manufacturing.
