Im using this Playstation lamp I designed as example. The lamp looks like this one ( https://makerworld.com/en/models/93103 ) 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.
Ive used the remaining of the LED strip from the AMS riser with light. In my case was 5mm wide COB LED strip 5v.
Problem: 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.
Solution: 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.
Planning: you will need to plan the color order, as consecutive colors can not be used in the same AMS slot. Here are the steps needed:
UPDATE (May 15th 2024): According to a comment by @wickedpixel, 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: https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-studio/parameter/filament-sequence-for-different-layers
If you did all the previous steps you should end up with something like this (double check your wrote the colors in the correct order!):
Now is time to check color compatibility. Each color must be placed in an AMS slot, but you have more colors than slots.
The 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.
With the color compatibility table you can assign slots to colors:
You will need to tell the printer where are the colors located.
Before 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.
No 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!
The 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.
For 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.
Another 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.
Filament unload --> Exchange to the other color (look the postit. THAT'S IT!
Keep 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.
Thats it! I cost some time, but what a lovely print you created!
If 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 :(
It 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!
Ive 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.
Also placed F3D so you can edit with Fusion360 if you want.
Could not upload the Excel table as this platform dont allow this kind of file.
Share your experience printing with more than 4 colors!