X1 vs XL: AMS vs Toolchanger - What's better?

Which is better for multi-material and multi-color printing: the popular Bambu Lab printers with their AMS system or the Prusa XL toolchanger? In this video, we'll examine how multiplexing and tool changing differ, and discover the right technology for you!

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*Chapters*
00:00 Introduction
00:43 Bambu Lab Controversy
02:10 STLFlix Promo
03:40 Multiplexing VS Toolchanging
07:32 Waste
12:50 Print Times
15:05 Design Considerations
17:10 Print Quality
19:07 Multi Material
22:50 Material Compatibility
23:27 Cost & Summary

#3Dprinting #prusa #bambu
DISCLAIMER: Part of this video was sponsored by STLFlix.
FTC Disclaimer: A percentage of sales is made through Affiliate links

[Arekseon]

Wow, didn't know my day will start with CNC kitchen featuring my model in his video. Thanks for printing my multi material TPU pliers! Hope to see more interest to this topic in the community, the topic is super niche and there aren't many interesting use cases out there yet for multimaterial printing with TPU.

[SiriusArc]

When I plan to create multicolored object, I usually start from thinking if the object can be assembled from multiple 1-colored parts instead of trying everything at once. It takes some time to CAD every part because it's basically creating 3D puzzle, but it's also satisfying.

[UncleJessy]

I’m still waiting for the XL to support printing with multiple size nozzles! No idea really how effective that will be for something like a .2 or .4 for exterior and a .6 or .8 for interior but will be an interesting option when it’s eventually available

[FilamentStories]

Super thorough and as insightful as CNC Kitchen videos are known for being. Thanks, Stefan!

[lambornD]

I get really excited when you post a video like this. No one else seems to get the kind of information I want delivered as well as you do, if anyone else delivers what I want at all. Thank you for the video, Stefan. Keep it up!

[tammyhollandaise]

I want to see how efficiently an IDEX printer can operate if each tool has a multiplexer. It'd still require poops, but one head can use dark colors, while the other uses light colors; plus, purging can happen while the other head is operating.

[notapplicable]

A tool changer or IDEX setup is definitely on my next printer bucket list

[hockeygoalie]

I have a dual head XL, and using the second head as the support tower has made printing with supports much better both in ease of separation and dimensional accuracy. I print a lot of functional parts that need tight tolerances and the XL has made certain geometries much more viable.

Stefan, great video as always! Have you been enjoying your xl?

[yvan]

I feel like there should be a lot more IDEX printers on the market. It doesn't add much complexity or cost for all the benefits it offers.

edit: it doesn't add much complexity or cost _compared to other solutions_.

[Radhiant]

I gotta say, I’m a big fan of Prusa! Their printers are solid, reliable and high quality. Plus, the open source vibe and the awesome community they’ve built really make them stand out.

[fribbledom]

Just a heads up: you can also drastically improve the looks of your wipetower-less prints by adjusting your XL's nozzle seals. I noticed they are a bit bent in your video. Ideally, they should sit flush with the parked nozzle above them.

[lakechuck]

so informative and taught me in plain language a lot more about purge towers versus purging into infill, purge volumes, etc. thanks!

[ericgillespie]

I’m so excited to build a daksh V2 and this video just made me even more excited with my choice

[Zaksaleh]

omg the slice by object is a game changer i never knew. amazing

[jedisct]

I really love my XL. The ability to combine materials is super useful, and I really enjoy the large print volume as well.

[vinny]

Hello. I am the dev of MissChanger, which is another Voron toolchanger. 😁

BTW. I have not go through your point on PETG support for PLA. But here is my prediction: It is a bad choice. That is because the 2 materials do not stick to each others. So, the first layer of the part over the support will be printed like a first layer on a dirty (greasy) bed.
To that end. I found that using ABS/ASA as the interface layer for PLA or PETG works surprisingly well. They stick well enough for the print to go on. However, the layer adhesion is noticeable lower that PLA-PLA or PETG-PETG (or ABS-ABS, in the reverse case). Thus, you can peel off the support layer without damaging the part.

A note on the chamber for the XL. Now that I have and tested a multi-material on a tool-changer, I have come to the conclusion that Prusa made the right choice to not include the enclosure out off the box. Every material in the print will be sharing the bed and the chamber. So, the limiting factor to what material can be combined reliably is how close the required temperatures of those two. ABS-PLA, for example, will requires huge compromises and very hit-or-miss depending on the model geometry. So from the point of view of Prusa, it is best to have their machine to be compatible with the cheapest/ simplest material combination out of the box, i.e. PLA + PETG + TPU.

Edit: my original wording makes it sound like the end of the world. But PETG-PLA support-to-part should works most of the time. It is when you need to have that extra adhesion for the 2-3 wall thick overhang geometry that the ABS trick comes in to play.

[wafflecart]

Great video, the time and waste difference between the PRUSA XL and Bambu X1C is pretty drastic!

[thewebmachine]

Hey Stephan! Since most Idex printers are from brands less familiar to the hobbyist maker community, at large, I would love to see a round-up video on the latest and greatest in Idex printers from brands we may have never heard of before. They seem so rarely covered by the 3D YT community; I'm guessing because the brands who make them either haven't been interested in sending out review units or creators haven't expressed interest in covering them.

I really want a tool changer like the XL, but I cannot justify the price tag for even the 2-extruder semi kit. I may have to look into Idex printers. I don't think I need 5 toolheads, as I'm mostly interested in diff material supports and some very basic multicolor. The added perks of Idex mirroring and duplication would be a nice bonus, as well. I often find myself needing specifically pairs of parts and Idex would save a lot of time on those.

Even then, has anyone tried combining Idex with an AMS system? Seems a little out there, but would be interesting to see how one would stack up.

[GonecozyCrafts]

Always wanted a PrusaXL and initially I wanted to wait for Bambu’s new machine but well… I have a PrusaXL5T now! 😅

[ScottyMakesStuff]

A very comprehensive explanation. The next time somebody asks me about multi-material prints, I'll send them this link!