Author: Ada Shaikhnag
Source: 3D Printing Industry
Intro: A New Era in Filament Drying Technology
SUNLU, a well-established player in the 3D printing industry, has just marked its 12th anniversary with an exciting innovation: the SUNLU AMS Heater. This powerful accessory is tailor-made for Bambu Lab AMS and AMS 2 Pro systems, offering seamless integration and significantly improved filament management. The new heater solves a key challenge for multi-material and high-performance printing setups: how to keep filament dry during long, complex prints without halting the workflow.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at the SUNLU AMS Heater—its features, installation, pricing, and how it compares to other solutions on the market.
What is the SUNLU AMS Heater?
The SUNLU AMS Heater is a dedicated drying system engineered specifically for the Automatic Material System (AMS) units from Bambu Lab. It's compatible with both the AMS Gen 1 and the AMS 2 Pro, and is designed to be a direct replacement for the AMS lid.
What makes it unique is that it's not just a passive drying chamber or a filament box with a dehumidifier. Instead, it brings active, intelligent drying capabilities directly to the AMS unit, ensuring filaments remain in optimal condition before and during printing. Installation takes under three minutes, simply replacing the AMS lid
Key Features That Set It Apart
Dual 150W PTC Heating Elements
- The heater uses two high-efficiency PTC heating modules coupled with dual fans. This configuration ensures fast, uniform heating throughout the AMS unit.
- Achieves up to 70°C within 20 minutes, making it suitable for sensitive filaments like Nylon, PC, or PETG.
Intelligent Humidity Control
- The heater features a default drying cycle of 6 hours at 55°C.
- If humidity exceeds 50% RH, the drying cycle automatically restarts.
- It shuts off when humidity drops below 20% RH.
- Optional rH mode allows users to set custom humidity thresholds (25% to 50% RH).
Advanced Safety Systems
- Automatic power cut-off if temperatures exceed 115°C.
- Alarms for overheating, fan failure, and other potential malfunctions.
- Real-time temperature and humidity display.
Seamless Installation
- Installation is tool-free and takes under three minutes.
- Simply remove the stock AMS lid and replace it with the SUNLU AMS Heater.
User-Friendly Design
- Compact dimensions: 363 x 278 x 131 mm.
- Lightweight at approximately 1.7 kg.
- LED indicators and an intuitive interface make it easy to operate.
Why It Matters for Bambu Lab AMS Users
- Bambu Lab printers are known for their speed and AMS-based multi-material capabilities. However, filament moisture has always been a critical challenge, especially for hygroscopic materials like Nylon, TPU, and PETG. Moisture can lead to poor layer adhesion, stringing, bubbling, and inconsistent extrusion.
- With the AMS Heater, users can:
- Dry and print simultaneously, eliminating downtime.
- Maintain filament quality throughout long print jobs.
- Extend the usable life of expensive filaments.
- Avoid needing separate drying stations or spool swaps.
Community and Expert Reactions
Early reviews from YouTubers and Reddit users in the r/BambuLab community are overwhelmingly positive. Many highlighted the following benefits:
- Ease of use: "Took me 2 minutes to install, no tools needed."
- Performance: "Filament stayed bone dry during a 16-hour PETG print."
- Value: "Way cheaper than buying an AMS 2 Pro just for filament drying."
- Some users noted the lid is not fully transparent, which could make visual monitoring more difficult. However, the real-time display and monitoring options largely compensate for this minor inconvenience.
Is It Worth It? Our Verdict
If you're a Bambu Lab user running multi-material or moisture-sensitive filament setups, the SUNLU AMS Heater is a no-brainer. It offers the perfect balance of ease of use, advanced features, and affordability.
Pros:
- Smart drying capabilities
- Plug-and-play with AMS systems
- Safe and efficient
- Excellent value for the price
Cons:
- Limited visibility inside the AMS
- New product—long-term durability still to be seen
SUNLU has taken a major step forward with the AMS Heater, offering a product that directly addresses a persistent issue for advanced 3D printing users. As more people adopt Bambu Lab printers for professional and hobbyist use, tools like this heater will be critical for ensuring consistent, high-quality results.
For anyone serious about filament management and print reliability, the SUNLU AMS Heater is a worthy investment.