The idea to design and build this has been with me for a while, and I finally got the time to do it….
What is it?
This is a fusion of the Bambu Lab AMS Lite and the Filadryer S4 by Sunlu. First and foremost it will allow you to keep your filament dry and also print directly from the Filadryer but with AMS Lite capabilities. Second, you will clear up space on your desk (if you previously had the AMS Lite standing on it). You will also get a tray on top to store some stuff.
Lets get to it!
My list of prerequisites were:
All plates and parts needed are stored in the 3mf-file. I used a X1C to print the parts. I opted for ABS since it usually gives great durability and finish. It will most likely work with PETG or even PLA, but I have not tried that, and PLA might be insufficient in drying temperatures.
For a smooth journey I would start like this and print:
While printing, disassemble the AMS Lite. There are guides for this in the wiki:
AMS Maintenance and How To guides | Bambu Lab Wiki
To remove the feeder units, unscrew the four screws that are attached to the main body and unplug the to ribbon cables from the mainboard. The feeder units does not require any further disassembly.
When you have removed the motherboard (Details in the wiki), carefully remove the NFC sensor windings from the main body. Easiest way to do this was to use a screwdriver and bend carefully at each place where there is silicone, It is four places in total for each sensor.
That's all AMS parts you need to disassemble. You should now have this in front of you
Now turn to the Sunlu S4. The top covers needs to be removed. I was puzzled of how to to this but found out that if one cover is opened and then carefully bent, it would snap out from the chassis.
When you have finished printing the first three plates print the following plates:
(All LEG parts are exactly the same)
Assembly of the SUNBU AMS LITE main body
BODY A and BODY B will jack in to each other. Just pair the edge at an angle and twist them together:
--→
Now find the following parts from the CLIPS & LOCKS & PLUGS plate:
Push the three H-shaped slips into the main body. You can use the rear side of a screwdriver for this. Or any other tool you like. Or just toyr thumb. Note that the clips have a chamfer on one side. That side is the one that goes into the model.
Now turn to the two small 6x10mm poles. Drop one sideways into each of the slots on the top side of the main body. Use a screwdriver and push the pole into the next part of the main body. Press it all the way in.
Now take the two "lid-blocks" and push down one in each hole
If you have finished printing the next 4-6 plates you can start assembly of the legs.
While doing so print the following plates:
this should conclude the printing of parts.
Assembly of the legs
From the CLIPS & LOCKS & PLUGS plate find the 4 squared lock-plates
Take one LEG-part and slide it into the lock plates that you will have to put in from below. The easiest way to fit the legs is to start with one lock plate and just get it to attach enough to hold it in place. After that do the same with the second lock plate and finally slide the legs as much as it allows for. (Never mind the yellow cross below the leg, I did assembly in a different order that was not optimal)
Grab the YELLOW SPOOL HOLDER and push it through the first leg half
IMPORTANT!
The spool holders must be inserted to the correct leg half, otherwise to rollers will not be oriented correctly. If installation is done as in the pictures you will be fine!
Now, push the GREEN SPOOL HOLDER through the second leg part
Take the second leg half and push it to align with the first leg half.
From the CLIPS & LOCKS & PLUGS plate find the 28 clips (4mm thick)
From this point there is no turning back, you will not be able to disassemble the legs after this without drilling all clips so:
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE ORIENTATION OF THE YELLOW AND GREEN SPOOL HOLDERS CORRECT!
If you have the main body laying upside down in front of you, there should always be a YELLOW SPOOL HOLDER on the top right corner.
Put clips into the leg by pushing it into the holes. The clips have a chamfer on one side that goes into the leg.
When you have assembled one leg do the same procedure with the other leg.
Note the orientation for GREEN and YELLOW SPOOL HOLDER!!!!!! (See complete assembly 3 pics below)
Install the NFS sensor windings for each roll and pull the wire through the hole in the base plate.
Install the sensor covers by pushing them down into the shaft
The result should look something like this:
Now, mount the original spool holders, It might take some convincing, but they will fit eventually…
Add some rolls of filament, or don't. It's up to you, it was my way of getting the assembly to be able to turn over and rest horizontally while assembling the rest. A different option is to place it in the Sunly S4…
Attaching and connecting the motherboard
There is a surplus of mounting points for the motherboard due to the mirrored design of the parts. Some of the surplus mounting points needs to be cut away (use a sharp plier). You will realize which ones that needs to be kept. The motherboard is mounted upside down.
Note the arrangement of the ribbon wires. (B/W to the left), And also the numbering I did on the motherboard. It is the corresponding sensor wire for the NFC sensors.
We have now come to the point of mounting the housing for the motherboard. Locate the parts printed on the FIRST FEEDER STAGE MOUNT & MB HOUSING plate and take one of the MB Housing parts, and slide it onto the rails of main body. Make sure to keep the ribbon wires out of the way,
Do the same thing with the second mb housing part
Slide the two AMS Interface units into place
Screw the AMS first stage feeder assembly into place. make sure that the numbering of the feeders cohere to the numbering on the mainboard.
Assembling the handle
Locate the grip lock and grip interface from the CLIPS & LOCKS & PLUGS plate:
I don't have pictures of this, but it is more or less the same procedure as when mounting the legs.
Locate HANDLE A & HANDLE B. They look the same (and are identical in design)
Now you have a grip assembly in your hand that should enable you to:
Push each of the grip interfaces through the holes in the main body and use the grip lock (the bar) on the other side to keep them in place. I used a water plump pliers kind of tool to push the bar into the right place. As explained before, I initially did this assembly in a different order, hence no legs are present in this pic:
The result should look something like this (But with more clips installed):
So, final touch. And yes, I know, it contradicts my prerequisites since it adds additional parts, but it is optional;
There are some models on the CLIPS & LOCKS & PLUGS plate that you can use to plug unused holes in the base.
Final Notes
If you are to print TPU it is (as you most likely know) not supported by the AMS Lite. In that case remove one of the original rollers from the Sunbu AMS Lite and feed the TPU through one of the standard filament holes of the filadryer S4. The roll will then rest on the original rollers of the S4.
I think I covered all now. If not, let me know….