What you need to know when adding an AMS HT to your Bambu Lab X1C
04/07/25 16:57 Filed in: 3D Printing | Management
Bambu Lab brought 3d printing from tinkering into the consumer space. Their once flagship X1 Carbon made point and click on desk manufacturing a reality for many users.
My past interactions with their technical support have been great, however, whenever I try to explain that I did not get quite enough or correct information from their website the experience is a bit less enlightening.
I recently updated my X1C with 2 AMS HT units, unfortunately, Bambu Lab were not clear in what is required and after a few rounds of helpful suggestions to their customer service, I doubt that I got my message through. This may be a case of being so versed in your own product that you can't see why people understand your explanation.
The take home message is that while we all think our explanations are clear and concise they may not be sufficient.
PS. I had a truly excellent support experience from 3dPrinterGear.com.au who express posted the missing part so I managed to get up and running less that 24 hours later.
My past interactions with their technical support have been great, however, whenever I try to explain that I did not get quite enough or correct information from their website the experience is a bit less enlightening.
I recently updated my X1C with 2 AMS HT units, unfortunately, Bambu Lab were not clear in what is required and after a few rounds of helpful suggestions to their customer service, I doubt that I got my message through. This may be a case of being so versed in your own product that you can't see why people understand your explanation.
The take home message is that while we all think our explanations are clear and concise they may not be sufficient.
PS. I had a truly excellent support experience from 3dPrinterGear.com.au who express posted the missing part so I managed to get up and running less that 24 hours later.
Bambu Labs has just launched their H2D printer and 2 new AMS (Automatic Material System) accessories. One of these is the AMS HT and both can be used with their previous flagship printer the X1C. Unfortunately some of the communication about the product, its capabilities and requirements need some refinement.
The issue is that their sales website has statements like:
Which is not quite true. If you order the AMS Hub and an AMS HT (or two as I did) you are still short 1 4 Pin cable that goes from the AMS Hub to the printer.
What needed to be said is:
The AMS Hub includes: AMS Hub, 2 x 6 Pin cables and PTFE tube
To connect the AMS Hub to the printer you will also need a 4 Pin cable
The missing line and the assurance that you have all you need results in the need to make a second order when plugging in the unit.
So why do they have this issue:
The good news is that they do seem to be improving some of the poor communications. When I initially looked at the AMS HT it had a statement that read you could not dry filament while printing. This seems to have been corrected. You can dry filament in an AMS HT if you are printing from another source of filament.
The moral of the story is that what looks clear and simple to the writer sometimes is not to the reader. Beware the generalisation.
And for those wondering; the dual AMS HT setup is a great fit for my needs and is working well. Given I am mostly making functional prints I tend not to want to have a lot of filament changes in a single print so the smaller space, slightly lower cost, being able to dry while printing (in the other AMS) makes for a better solution for my needs.
Sweeping statements
The issue is that their sales website has statements like:
"The Bambu Lab AMS Hub includes the necessary accessories to connect 2x AMS units to the printer. If you wish to add more AMS units, you need to order additional Bus cable and PTFE Tube. To use 4x AMS units, you need to order additional 2x Bus cable (6pin) and 2x 2m PTFE Tube."
Which is not quite true. If you order the AMS Hub and an AMS HT (or two as I did) you are still short 1 4 Pin cable that goes from the AMS Hub to the printer.
What needed to be said is:
The AMS Hub includes: AMS Hub, 2 x 6 Pin cables and PTFE tube
To connect the AMS Hub to the printer you will also need a 4 Pin cable
The missing line and the assurance that you have all you need results in the need to make a second order when plugging in the unit.
So why do they have this issue:
- Looking at the booklet it looks like the new product (H2D) works just fine with 2 AMS units no Hub and just the 6 pin cables
- Many people will be upgrading from an existing single AMS setup and they already have the 4 pin cable.
The good news is that they do seem to be improving some of the poor communications. When I initially looked at the AMS HT it had a statement that read you could not dry filament while printing. This seems to have been corrected. You can dry filament in an AMS HT if you are printing from another source of filament.
Moral
The moral of the story is that what looks clear and simple to the writer sometimes is not to the reader. Beware the generalisation.
Epilogue
And for those wondering; the dual AMS HT setup is a great fit for my needs and is working well. Given I am mostly making functional prints I tend not to want to have a lot of filament changes in a single print so the smaller space, slightly lower cost, being able to dry while printing (in the other AMS) makes for a better solution for my needs.