{"product_id":"playstation-lamp-6-colors-and-1-ams-explanation","title":"Playstation lamp (6 colors and 1 AMS explanation)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThis is a guide on how to print with more than 4 colors using only 1 AMS (6 colors in this example)\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIm using this Playstation lamp I designed as example. The lamp looks like this one ( \u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer ugc\" href=\"https:\/\/makerworld.com\/en\/models\/93103\"\u003ehttps:\/\/makerworld.com\/en\/models\/93103\u003c\/a\u003e ) but only the concept, the design was made from scratch in Fusion 360 (you can download the file if you want). It has some improvements over the original, like zip ties holders to keep the LED strip in place, holes for screws on the back cover, and hole for a DC connector.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIm using a 5mm wide COB LED strip 5v.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProblem:\u003c\/strong\u003e if you want to print more than 4 colors, your AMS will not be able to. Maybe you could do it from the external spool feeder (I didnt tried) but you would have to change the spool on every color change, which is A LOT! But also will need much more time, as it will pause print while you make the change.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSolution:\u003c\/strong\u003e with this method you will be able to print more than 4 colors, the AMS will make the color changes without pausing. At the cost of some previous planning, and exchanging some of the spools while they are not being used.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanning:\u003c\/strong\u003e you will need to plan the color order, as \u003cu\u003econsecutive colors can not be used in the same AMS slot\u003c\/u\u003e. Here are the steps needed:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePreparation\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImport a STEP or 3MF file into Bambu Studio (or OrcaSlicer). The model imported will need to have PARTS (each one of this parts can have a different color). How to create such a file is object to another tutorial, but in short, if you use Fusion360 create your model with separated “bodies” for each color, and then export your model as 3MF. When you import into Bambu Studio it will ask you if you want to as single object with multiple parts (each part is a body from Fusion).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn Bambu Studio add as many filaments as your model needs. Choose appropriate color for each filament.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet all the print settings, enable “Prime tower” in “Others” print settings (usually default on)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGo to the “Objects” tab and select the color of each part\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/makerworld.bblmw.com\/makerworld\/model\/DSM00000000414476\/design\/2024-04-03_0e09b8b67c349.png\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch3\u003eColor order\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #E14747\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPDATE (Jan 24th 2025): user \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer ugc\" href=\"https:\/\/makerworld.com\/en\/@printprintprin\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #E14747\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e@printprintprin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #E14747\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e created a tool to help mix the colors easily. Instead of making an excel file and manually calculate the color order you can use his tool and it will make it for you: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer ugc\" href=\"https:\/\/ams-allocator.statichost.app\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #E14747\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehttps:\/\/ams-allocator.statichost.app\/\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #E14747\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPDATE (May 15th 2024): According to a comment by \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer ugc\" href=\"https:\/\/makerworld.com\/en\/@wickedpixel\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #E14747\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e@wickedpixel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #E14747\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e, starting with Bambu Studio v1.9.1 now you can choose color order in your prints. This would make easier planning of the color order: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer ugc\" href=\"https:\/\/wiki.bambulab.com\/en\/software\/bambu-studio\/parameter\/filament-sequence-for-different-layers\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #E14747\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehttps:\/\/wiki.bambulab.com\/en\/software\/bambu-studio\/parameter\/filament-sequence-for-different-layers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlice the model, go to preview tab, click the single layer view (bottom right icon) and move the slider to the first layer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreate an Excel file so you can write down the color orders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe are in the first layer, the order is as following:\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ein the prime tower, the first color is the one that is missing (RED)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003esecond color is the one on the bottom (YELLOW)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003econtinue with next color up to the top. We will write each following color in order from first to last (..BLACK-WHITE-GREEN-BLUE)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/makerworld.bblmw.com\/makerworld\/model\/DSM00000000414476\/design\/2024-04-03_504143cd25784.png\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNow we go to the second layer using the slider, the colors in the prime tower will be different and we need to note them down in the same way as we did on the first layer (starting with the missing color first, then from bottom up). In this case: BLUE-BLACK-WHITE-YELLOW-GREEN-RED\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/makerworld.bblmw.com\/makerworld\/model\/DSM00000000414476\/design\/2024-04-04_b4a5ae3449c13.png\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo the same with all layer, one by one. (In the Playstation lamp example we only have 3 layered colors, so the light can pass through).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you did all the previous steps you should end up with something like this (double check your wrote the colors in the correct order!):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/makerworld.bblmw.com\/makerworld\/model\/DSM00000000414476\/design\/2024-04-03_059fc8d58051e.png\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eColor compatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow is time to check color compatibility. Each color must be placed in an AMS slot, but you have more colors than slots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe trick is that the “next color coming up” can not share the same slot of the current color. So what you will do is another Excel table where you will write all the colors, one per row, and again all the colors, one per column.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou will start from the first color in the first layer and th color coming up next. Write an X on the matching colors, one on the rows and one on the columns. That means that both colors can not go into the same slot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContinue with second and third color, again mark down in the table with two X one in the rows and one in the columns where the colors meet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou should do this all the way until the last color in the last layer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou will end up with something like this:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/makerworld.bblmw.com\/makerworld\/model\/DSM00000000414476\/design\/2024-04-03_741706aab3a65.png\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAMS Slots\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith the color compatibility table you can assign slots to colors:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrepare a new Excel table for the slots :)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe first slot should accommodate the first color of the first layer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSecond slot should hold the second color of the first layer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThird and fourth exactly the same\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNow the “difficult” part is to check the fifth color where it could be placed, using the color compatibility table. Place the color in the slot that can have both the 5th color and the one that is already there\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo the same with the sixth and so on. You should have the colors arranged like this:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/makerworld.bblmw.com\/makerworld\/model\/DSM00000000414476\/design\/2024-04-03_f3ba1ca9cb0fa.png\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSend job to printer\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou will need to tell the printer where are the colors located.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the “Device” tab choose the materials and colors for you AMS\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/makerworld.bblmw.com\/makerworld\/model\/DSM00000000414476\/design\/2024-04-03_9cc7f151c79ab.png\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThen you can send the job to the printer, and it will ask you to assign the AMS slots to the colors you have in your model\u003cbr\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/makerworld.bblmw.com\/makerworld\/model\/DSM00000000414476\/design\/2024-04-03_b5379d187708e.png\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose which slot correspond to each color (use the AMS slot table). Some colors will share a slot as we already know.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePrinting\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBefore printing, load the AMS with the first four colors. Printing will start and you will need to be there to change the colors when needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo PAUSE command will be executed, so you will have to change the spools on the fly. You will have plenty of time, but you wont be able to leave the printer unattended!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe trick to not get confused, as soon as one color in a shared slot has finish, the AMS will unload that roll and continue with the next color. So while the next color is loading you can remove the unloaded color and load the next one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor ex: in my model, the second color is YELLOW, as soon as it unloads the filament and start loading the BLACK, i will exchange YELLOW for BLUE. You will notice that blue is the last color to be used in the first layer, but I change it right away, so no confusion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnother trick is to place postit notes on the AMS with the colors of each slot. So you wont be loading a color in the wrong slot, and avoid anxiety on each exchange. I had to check my Excel table each time to be sure I was loading the correct color.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFilament unload --\u0026gt; Exchange to the other color (look the postit. THAT'S IT!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep the color and layer order table at sight so you can see where you are at every moment in case you doubt if you are doing good.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThats it! I cost some time, but what a lovely print you created!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBonus Tips:\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you are doing a lamp o something that light should see through, 3 layers of color (0.6mm) is a good balance between strength (not very flimsy) and transparency (so light can go through).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you are doing some faceplate, text, coaster or colored drawing on the bottom face, I use 2 layers of color (0.4mm). Color will have good density and will save you from doing extra changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBe sure the nozzle tip has no remains from previous colors, if possible quickly clean it while its purging. Those little remains in the tip usually come off over your print and could ruin a nice model.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eErrata:\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you followed my instructions carefully and paid attention, you may have noticed that in 3rd layer, last color is green, and the next color coming is black. I forgot to write down that incompatibility! In the slot assignment, ive placed BLACK and GREEN together :(\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt has an easy fix, I could have placed GREEN alone, and BLACK with RED. In order not to make all the pictures and Excel. Careful with that!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDownloads\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIve placed BambuStudio file so you can download the Playstation lamp ready to print (check if the colors match when slicing. The colors may come in a different order in your case.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlso placed F3D so you can edit with Fusion360 if you want.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCould not upload the Excel table as this platform dont allow this kind of file.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShare your experience printing with more than 4 colors!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cboostme\u003e\u003cboosttitle\u003eBoost Me\u003c\/boosttitle\u003e\u003cboostcontent\u003eI spend many hours and days designing and testing this models. Your boost help me continue making cool stuff like this. Thanks! :)\u003c\/boostcontent\u003e\u003c\/boostme\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesign by McFly on MakerWorld (license: BY).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mymadmanlab","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67409360355632,"sku":"MW-414476","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0987\/0809\/5280\/files\/0_688a66c0-3b71-4bd8-8b4d-6ab8da2ea9a8.png?v=1785258999","url":"https:\/\/mymadmanlab.com\/products\/playstation-lamp-6-colors-and-1-ams-explanation","provider":"Mymadmanlab.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}