Does top-mounting the AMS hurt quality on the A1?

In my test, no. I printed the same detailed figure with the AMS on the desk and then with the AMS on top, and the result is practically identical: both came out great and even the same weak spots showed up the same way. Caveat: it's a single figure, so it isn't a fully rigorous test.

Can you safely put the AMS Lite on top?

Yes. I used a printed top-mount bracket that holds the AMS Lite on the A1 itself with a clamp and a couple of anti-vibration supports, reusing the little screws that come in the A1 box. It sits firmly. The only things I'd watch over time are clamp wear and the extra weight on the Z axis.

Why mount the AMS on top instead of beside it?

Space. In my flat the printer doesn't fit perpendicular to the wall without the bed hitting it, there's a wall on the left, the tubes clashed with the Z axis at the back, and the cable doesn't reach at the front. Mounting it on top was the only way to free up desk space.

Is it worth enclosing the A1?

For PLA it's not essential, but it helps: it contains particles, lets you add an active-carbon filter and, above all, acts like a greenhouse keeping the temperature stable. That avoids warping when temperatures swing —say when you turn on the AC in summer— and it let me run the before/after in the most controlled environment possible.

Projects

I modified my Bambu Lab A1: is top-mounting the AMS a good idea?

I live in a small flat and the AMS Lite on my Bambu Lab A1 never had a spot: walls on the sides, the tubes clashing with the Z axis at the back, and the cable not reaching at the front. So I printed a bracket to mount it on top of the printer itself and asked the million-dollar question: does putting the AMS on top hurt print quality? I tested it with a before and after.

Watch the video on YouTube ↗

1. The problem: zero space for the AMS

I print where I eat, sleep and work, so every centimetre counts. The A1 doesn't fit perpendicular to the wall without the bed hitting the back, and the AMS Lite doesn't go on the right (desk) or the left (wall). I had it at the back for a while, but the filament tubes snagged on the Z axis and nearly blew up the hub. Tried the front and the cable doesn't reach. The only way to free up desk space was to put it on top.

2. The idea: a printed top-mount bracket

The suggestion came from a subscriber (thanks, vRobotnik_301). I used the AMS Lite top-mount for A1 model from MakerWorld: print it, grease the guide, mount a clamp that grabs the top of the A1 and add a couple of anti-vibration supports. Fun fact: you need the little screws from the A1 box, the ones I'd never used and finally found a purpose for. Once assembled it looks like a different machine.

3. The method: before and after with the same figure

To compare properly I printed the same part twice: first with the AMS on the desk (the "past") and then with the AMS already mounted on top (the "present"). I picked a seated Link packed with detail —trousers, belt, face, hair— so any difference would show. It prints upside down, with quite a few supports, in about two hours.

4. The controlled environment: the enclosure

I ran both prints inside the enclosure so the only thing changing between them was, precisely, the AMS being on top. The Panda Shelter contains the particles released while printing (it takes an active-carbon filter and even ventilation) and, above all, acts like a greenhouse: it keeps temperature and humidity stable. That matters because I started the morning at 73% humidity and by midday it shifts a lot; without a stable environment those swings could contaminate the comparison. I also tried the Pandanomi (Panda Knomi) extruder cover, which gives the head a "face" and shows at a glance what the printer is doing (heating, purging, print %).

5. The result: practically identical

I put both figures side by side in the light and, honestly, I see them as the same. Both Links came out perfect (in quotes): identical shields, and even the same weak spot —the sword— comes out a touch rough on both. In other words, mounting the AMS on top didn't penalise anything in this test.

6. The honest conclusion (and my lingering doubts)

I'll commit: it doesn't affect print quality. These machines print anywhere, any way —I've seen an A1 mini printing on someone's back hooked to a power bank— so don't be afraid to put the AMS on top. That said, I'll be honest: a single figure isn't a fully rigorous test. If differences ever show up it'll be over time: the clamp wearing and starting to move, or the weight up top affecting the Z axis. I'll keep an eye on it and, if it starts printing worse, I'll say so.

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FAQ

Does top-mounting the AMS hurt quality on the A1?: In my test, no. I printed the same detailed figure with the AMS on the desk and then with the AMS on top, and the result is practically identical: both came out great and even the same weak spots showed up the same way. Caveat: it's a single figure, so it isn't a fully rigorous test.
Can you safely put the AMS Lite on top?: Yes. I used a printed top-mount bracket that holds the AMS Lite on the A1 itself with a clamp and a couple of anti-vibration supports, reusing the little screws that come in the A1 box. It sits firmly. The only things I'd watch over time are clamp wear and the extra weight on the Z axis.
Why mount the AMS on top instead of beside it?: Space. In my flat the printer doesn't fit perpendicular to the wall without the bed hitting it, there's a wall on the left, the tubes clashed with the Z axis at the back, and the cable doesn't reach at the front. Mounting it on top was the only way to free up desk space.
Is it worth enclosing the A1?: For PLA it's not essential, but it helps: it contains particles, lets you add an active-carbon filter and, above all, acts like a greenhouse keeping the temperature stable. That avoids warping when temperatures swing —say when you turn on the AC in summer— and it let me run the before/after in the most controlled environment possible.

Found it useful? I've got more things I've built in Projects, and if you're choosing a machine you can compare models in the printer catalog. The bracket I used is on MakerWorld and all my designs are free on my MakerWorld profile.