Bambu Enclosed Spool: Dry Any Filament Anywhere!

Boost MeBoost me for more like this!

Improved v2 with additional features/broader compatibility: https://makerworld.com/en/models/2407552-bambu-dry-spool-dries-filament-while-printing#profileId-2639336

 

This is the ultimate project for people struggling with filaments being too wet when printing. The AMS is great for this, but we have some filaments that are simply too stiff or flexible to work with it, hence some filaments are AMS incompatible.

 

However, Bambu still expects us to dry these filaments and keep them dry while we print them… in an open environment. There's also an issue with the AMS Lite, where the filaments simply don't get dried due to the open mounting. How do we fix this problem? Of course, with a drybox. However, unlike previous solutions, I've made the Bambu spool itself the enclosure to make sure that no extra parts are required, only those that are 3D printed and come with the filament.

 

All you have to do is transfer the filament in, stick some desiccant in the chamber, and print like you would normally. However, the filament stays dry this time! By using desiccant and creating a nearly airtight environment for the filament to be stored, the filament can be sent to the printer while staying dry inside, only touching fresh air after it exits the spool and is about to be printed.

 

This model is designed to fit inside the AMS to dry, but may be finicky and get stuck if any printing with it is attempted due to its slightly increased size and margins. Because the AMS keeps filament dry, this design is intended to be a freestanding tool to assist with external spool (AMS/Lite incompatible, e.g. TPU and many fiber-reinforced filaments) and AMS Lite usage.

 

NOTE: When using with the AMS Lite, please insert the filament into the other feeder (and vice versa for any filament on the other spool on that side). While this negates the RFID and requires the filament information to be manually inputted (remember the filament in the feeder, not the corresponding spool), it ensures that the chicane pattern the filament has to follow is much broader and that the rolling bridge does not jam, causing repeated errors. With any success of this model, I will release a version with a stopper and auxiliary bridge to skip this step.

 

If the spool is not already dry once transferred, please purchase and use the AMS desiccant to improve print quality:

https://us.store.bambulab.com/collections/supplement-ams/products/desiccant-for-ams

 

Instructions (Skip to Step 3 if using Bambu Refills):

 

Step 1: Prepare your materials: original Bambu spool and printed enclosure spool

 

Step 2: Remove the top (small) cover of the original spool

 

Step 3: Replace the original small spool part with its corresponding printed section; for refills, simply insert the filament in the small part

 

Step 4: Flip the spool over and remove the main part; for refills, skip this step

 

Step 5: Add the rolling bridge and keep the hole inline, then insert the filament through it so it sticks out; place desiccant around the filament if desired. For refills, remove the tags.

 

Step 6: Complete the assembly with the main part, inserting the notch into the hole in the RFID tag, then locking and securing the spool

 

Step 7: Insert the end into the provided hole in the rolling bridge to secure the filament

 

Step 8: Your spool is ready to use!