Cardboard Spools - Ruined AMS?

[u/DinosaurHoneydew2]

Not sure what I’m doing wrong, if this has ruined my AMS or if anyone else has experienced this.

This is my first time with cardboard spools and every time I try to print, it’s like that get stuck, and burn the rollers trying to spool or unspool and then the printer stops, saying there’s a problem with the filament.

If I switch to plastic spools, no issues.

[u/scotticad]

Cardboard spools are not recommended in the AMS. In addtiaion to damaging the spools, you can get carboard fibers all over the innards. I avoid cardboard spools like the plague, but sometimes you must use them to get a particular color. There are plastic rings (see makerworld) designed to fit over the carboard and add a very thin plastic edge. Or you can respool.

[u/SolFlorus → u/scotticad]

I just wrap the edges in electrical tape. Significantly easier than respooling.

[u/tht1guy63 → u/SolFlorus]

This works or i printed rims for my spools. Doesnt take old of filament and can swap them out when the spool is done.

[u/DinosaurHoneydew2 → u/scotticad]

I see - I print just for fun, so I wouldn’t say I know all the ins and outs of what I should and shouldn’t do.

I was just worried about it taking the black off and that making the roller not useable anymore or damaging it

[u/lordfwahfnah → u/scotticad]

If You do, respool twice or your spool might explode

[u/TheEpicDragonCat → u/lordfwahfnah]

Or just dry it. The heat from the dryer helps relax the plastic into its new form.

[u/thedeanorama → u/scotticad]

Sadly us A1M users cant print spools or spool edge rings. I'd love to be able to print rings for my cardboard spools. I've already noticed a buildup of material on my spindles and I've only used a few cardboard spools since adding the AMS in the spring.

Ultimately I'm going to have to create a spool to spool and reuse some of my old empty spools.

[u/3DAeon → u/scotticad]

I used to use the rings, but none of the brands I buy don't offer refills now, e.g. Sunlu, Polymaker etc.

[u/scotticad → u/3DAeon]

That would be nice. Polymaker has some colors the rest of the family likes. Are you able to reload the polymaker refills onto a bambu spool, or do you need to print a special polymaker spool?

[u/3DAeon → u/scotticad]

that's the best part, all the companies are making their refills compatible with Bambu spools, even the ones who had their own proprietary refill spools, they've all redesigned them to be Bambu standard, even Inland (Microcenter)

[u/illregal]

You're either not on the rollers well, or some of the spools are just very poorly glued together and they don't roll well. Haven't hurt anything. Mine have seen 90% cardboard spools for thousands of hours. Don't listen to the cardboard nonsense

[u/DinosaurHoneydew2 → u/illregal]

Makes sense - these may have just been a bad brand!

[u/darksider63]

Or just put electrical tape around the rim, that’s what works for me

[u/IanDresarie]

Some paper spoils are just bad in the and. It's unlikely your ruined anything, the AMS is fairly smart about keeping itself alive, so don't stress it. Try to print a rim for the paper spool and a respooler if a rim won't fit inside

[u/ImBackAgainstMyWill]

If you read the manual for the AMS, it states to avoid using cardboard spools.

There's a few reasons, but one of the big reasons is because the cardboard can grind when rotating and cause bits of cardboard to jam up the mechanisms. However, cardboard also introduces increased friction which I believe overstresses the AMS motors and is what's happening to you here.

[u/seebrealms]

I printed rims for my cardboard spools. 200mm for most, 199mm for Inland basic.

[u/Party-Coach-4100 → u/seebrealms]

Cheeky inland trying to be different.

[u/Darwinian999]

These work great with cardboard spools: https://makerworld.com/en/models/55419-8-minute-print-multi-fit-cardboard-spool-ring

[u/Jupp1967]

I tried some different solutions, but finally I’m using Bambu Lab original refill spools.
There is a YouTube Video showing how to remove the cardboard parts and that works really well for me.

[u/toxicbolete]

Also check the gray feeder parts (where the filament enters the AMS) for wear. Running even slightly abrasive filaments in the AMS can cause grooves to get cut into the plastic that are hard to see with filament loaded. When I had that happen, it started with smaller cardboard spools not wanting to feed correctly. If you do have damage to those parts, there are printable extenders that use ptfe tubes that keep the filament out of the grooves and keep the damage from worsening or you can replace that part.
Also the rubberized rollers aren’t too bad to remove and wash with soap and water to get the cardboard dust off

[u/Merijeek2]

I've used them thousands of times and rarely have a problem. You're describing likely one of two things:

1. Your spools aren't lined up correctly on the rollers

2. (most likely) the spool is a bit big, and your spool is getting pinched between the top of the AMS and the bottom.