Why Your AMS Lite Should Stay Separate from the Printer Enclosure
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The AMS Lite is designed to protect filament from moisture—but if you enclose it together with your printer, that protection is easily compromised. Every time you open the enclosure to remove a finished print, outside air and moisture enter, undoing the purpose of keeping filament safe and dry.
The Downsides of Enclosing AMS Lite with the Printer
1. Moisture Exposure: Opening the enclosure repeatedly lets humid air in, which weakens filament and leads to poor print quality. What’s meant to be protection ends up losing its original point.
2. Tight, Inconvenient Space: Changing filament mid-print becomes a hassle inside a cramped enclosure. Accessing the back of the AMS Lite is awkward, time-consuming—and the longer you spend, the more moisture sneaks in.
3. Special Filament Limitations: Materials like TPU require an external spool. If your AMS Lite is trapped inside the printer enclosure, you’ll need to open it again just to add or switch materials—further exposing filament to humidity.
4. Poor Visibility: Many enclosures reduce visibility, making it difficult to check filament color or remaining amount. This adds another layer of frustration to filament management.
The Advantage of Keeping AMS Lite Separate
A dedicated AMS Lite Enclosure isn’t just about keeping filament dry—it also makes your printing workflow smoother, more flexible, and more enjoyable.
1. Consistent Moisture Protection: With its own enclosure, the AMS Lite stays sealed and stable, no matter how often you open your printer enclosure. This ensures your filament remains dry, protected, and ready for high-quality printing at all times.
2. Easy Access and Operation: Need to swap filament mid-print? With a separate enclosure, the AMS Lite is always within reach. No cramped spaces, no wrestling with limited visibility—just quick, convenient access that keeps your print moving smoothly.
3. Seamless Use of Special Materials: For flexible filaments like TPU that bypass the AMS system, a separate AMS Lite enclosure makes the process effortless. You can load external spools without disrupting the AMS or exposing all your stored filament to humid air.
4. Better Visibility and Monitoring: A standalone AMS Lite enclosure provides clear, direct visibility of your spools. Checking filament type, color, or remaining amount is fast and accurate—no need to guess or open up the setup.
5. Space Optimization: Separating the AMS Lite from the printer enclosure frees up space and makes your overall setup more organized. Accessories, spools, and the printer itself each have their own functional area, avoiding clutter and maximizing efficiency.
6. Peace of Mind: Most importantly, you can focus on creating without worrying about filament going bad, difficult swaps, or hidden errors. A separate AMS Lite enclosure means fewer interruptions and greater confidence in every print.
Conclusion
Enclosing your AMS Lite with the printer may seem convenient, but it brings more problems than solutions—moisture exposure, cramped operation, and limited visibility. A separate AMS Lite enclosure ensures dry filament, easy access, and a smoother printing experience. For makers who value reliability and quality, keeping them separate is the smarter choice.