AMS (Automatic Material System)
The AMS (Automatic Material System) is an intelligent multi-material feeder developed by Bambu Lab. Equipped with filament sensors, RFID reader, and motorized rewind rollers, it automatically switches between up to 4 spools per unit (stackable up to 16 colors) during a single print job.
Multi-color printing through AMS adds purge waste — filament extruded into the purge tower rather than the part. That waste is charged at the same gram rate as the model itself, plus extra print time.
Estimate it in the 3D printing cost calculator →How AMS Operates During a Print
When a model switches colors, the printer cuts the current filament at the hotend, rewinds it back into the AMS, feeds the new color filament down the PTFE tube, purges the leftover color into a purge chute (the "poop"), primes the nozzle on a prime tower, and resumes printing the next color layer.
Filament Compatibility & Desiccant Enclosure
The AMS doubles as an airtight dry box with humidity monitoring. It handles standard rigid filaments like PLA, PETG, ABS, and PC with ease, though flexible TPU is generally fed directly via the external spool spool holder to prevent feeding jams.
Multi-Color Waste & Cost Calculation
Multi-color prints using the AMS incur purge waste and increased print time per filament swap. The MakerWorld Estimator factors in color changes, purge volumes, and multi-color surcharges to accurately quote AMS projects.
Cite This Page
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APA 7
TryAR Labs. (2026, August 25). AMS (Automatic Material System). MakerWorld Estimator. https://estimator.tryar.in/glossary/amsBibTeX
@misc{tryarlabs2026ams,
title = {{AMS (Automatic Material System)}},
author = {{TryAR Labs}},
year = {2026},
month = {aug},
url = {https://estimator.tryar.in/glossary/ams},
note = {MakerWorld Estimator}
}Calculate 3D Print Costs in Real Time
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