Prusa MK4S & MMU3 vs Bambulab A1 & AMS Lite  

RE: Prusa MK4S & MMU3 vs Bambulab A1 & AMS Lite

I bought an A1 with AMS with added extra hot end, and printing sheet, for $600 shipped. I had some minor problems at the start but worked through everything. It's really amazing. I do slow down some of the print speeds and adjust a few parameters in Orca slicer. It can produce stunning quality prints. The AMS lite is easy to load and takes up very little extra space with the top mount printable bracket. The workflow of fully automated multicolor printing with one button from orca slicer to the A1 has changed my 3D printing. I can design and build so much faster without having to think about all the steps between design and printing I had to do with the MK3S. Also, the spare parts are easily available from Bamboo Labs and at very reasonable prices. 

I have owned a MK3S for three years and fully built it from a kit and rebuilt it just for fun into a MK3S+ and did some other upgrades. My next upgrade path would have been a MK4 with MMU but I couldn't justify going to a MK4 with MMU for the cost. I think a MK4 with MMU3 would cost around $1500. 

 I love printables and I love my MK3s. Bamboo has changed the way I design, and 3D print! It's so much better now. And at a price that more reasonable for a hobbyist.

RE: Prusa MK4S & MMU3 vs Bambulab A1 & AMS Lite

I had the same thoughts. In the end Průša won, but it was close.

1. I absolutely understand that this is very speculative. But I do not find much criticism on Bambu. Also, it feels like reviewers are steering away from comparing it with anything else. All the videos are just "Bambu is awesome". When searching on this topic, there are some posts on Reddit from people complaining about Bambu marketing practices. Not renting printers to creators that were critical etc. I do believe that they are good printers, I just don't trust them longterm.

2. Průša has history of longterm support. I hope they will continue with it. Seems like they do.

3. I heard that MMU is better with TPU (should be doable) than AMS (not a chance). I hope to print some multicolor badges. I expect problems but should be feasible.

4. I have MK3s+. Both use same plates, I can share nozzles... 

5. The European made has some, albeit small, effect on me as well.

Having bought mk4s with MMU, my thoughts after. Nextruder is awesome. Not ever having to deal with z-offset is huge one. Switching plates like it is nothing. Nozzle changes are much better. I don't care about speed as much, but it is nice upgrade and I wouldn't want to go back. Reliability-wise it prints without an issue. Send and forget. I quite like Průša connect, but probably will go back to Octoprint. Mainly live camera feed. It is good to check on progress.

MMU is good. It is added complexity. Changing filaments etc. I printed self-rewinding spool holders and got rid of filament buffer. Works nice but not with cardboard filament spools. I will probably do an adapter with hope that plastic on plastic will work nicer.

I do not regret buying mk4s. But I do not have Bambu to compare. Which is good, at least I sleep well. They do look nice. I am happy for the competition pushing both forward.

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It seems like it boils down to:

A1 + AMS Lite -

pros:  lower cost, more polished-looking and compact, integrated system

cons:  only 4 colors (since the Lite is not expandable), shoots plastic poop out the side

MK4s+MMU -

Pros:  5 colors instead of 4, faster filament changes, and doesn't shoot plastic poop out the side (less waste)

cons: higher cost, multi- separate part design takes up more space

RE: Prusa MK4S & MMU3 vs Bambulab A1 & AMS Lite

I think printing 5 colors over 4 would be a very rare occurrence, for me for sure. For my next printer I was looking for quality, speed, and reliability and multicolor printing. The A1 delivered and also surprised me with a better workflow for 3D printing overall. Bigger build space is a nice bonus. I have a lot of confidence in being able to replace parts if something needs replacement. Their parts catalogue is very extensive and super affordable. They have wiki guides on replacing anything on the printer. 

Prusa has been bombarding me with emails and offers to buy the MK4S. It's just too expensive compared to what the A1 delivers. I looked into the MMU and its very complicated compared to the AMS Lite. You have to cover a lot of space for the filament buffers and spools holders spread out on your table. The AMS Lite is simple and it works, and I can mount and load 4x spool quickly on top of the printer no problems. Takes nearly 0% extra foot space and a little more headroom. And it does not affect print quality. The Printer does use up some filament waste. But it's not as much as you might think. Especially if you adjust the purging amounts. I have been printing for over a month now and I have a couple handfuls of waste. I am careful with my multicolor printing. 

Looking at the brass nozzles for the MK4 at $20 each just makes me cringe. Brass just wears out so fast. Their other nozzles are also very expensive. The A1 Hardened steel nozzle is $15 and will last a lot longer than brass. Nozzles on the A1 are extremely easy and fast to swap out. 

RE:

It was also very easy to assemble. And the shipping on the printer and parts was fast from a US warehouse. Took maybe three days from my order.

I assembled the MK3 and even fully rebuilt it. A quick assemble was really nice to experience. 

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So I did it.

Well I did both!

I have a Prusa MMU3 on the way.........AND I have a BambuLab A1 with the AMS Lite on the way as well! In fact I also got a couple of the patterned steel sheets, 10 filament spools, and a hardened steel nozzle as well lol

I'm sorry - I just have to see what all the fuss is about!!

God knows how I am going to fit all this stuff into my room!!!

RE:

Once I started printing through the bamboo labs workflow. I wouldn't go back. It's very streamlined. One button printing from the slicer is so nice. I sold my mk3s. 

And the quality is far better than the mk3s and probably very similar to the mk4. 

Print the top mount for the ams lite it saves a ton of space. 

RE: Prusa MK4S & MMU3 vs Bambulab A1 & AMS Lite

Guess I'll find out for myself!

Just waiting for a cable extension so I can mount the AMS Lite on the wall up behind the printer. 

Then I need to build the MMU3, and the spools will go inside the cupboard under the A1 and feed out the back and up to the MK4s - I'm hoping to get away with not having the buffer unit at all - will create a break/gap on the PTFE inside the cupboard to allow for the retraction......

Not powered the A1 up yet - want to get everything set up first 😉  It's all super easy and beginner friendly though, and quality seems really good for the price point! Impressed so far!

RE: Prusa MK4S & MMU3 vs Bambulab A1 & AMS Lite

I don't know the Bambu - just guessing that the printer is OK.

What I know is that the Prusa MK4(s) - MMU3 works without any problems. Just finished a 5 color print with a 0,25 nozzle.

If you are with Prusa - stick with Prusa. You know what you can do. 

RE: Prusa MK4S & MMU3 vs Bambulab A1 & AMS Lite

My Bambu Lab adventures so far......

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkAeX8W01U1igbsxUx3Nay83n68RNWbuD

RE: Prusa MK4S & MMU3 vs Bambulab A1 & AMS Lite

On to building my MMU3 next. Wayyyyy too much filament waste with the Bambu, even though everything works straight out of the box - its all so easy!

Hopefully the MMU3 will be a seamless build & install too - I still prefer the Prusa deep down, and with the MMU3 it could be ideal for me!

RE: Prusa MK4S & MMU3 vs Bambulab A1 & AMS Lite

Create my enclosure!