We invested in Bambu Labs professional printing hardware specifically for its multi-material capability. After working with it, here is what actually changes — and what it means for prototype and product teams.
What "multi-material" actually means
The Bambu AMS (Automatic Material System) handles filament switching automatically during a print. You load multiple spools — different colours, different materials — and the printer selects the right one for each section of the model. Our setup handles up to 15–20 different filaments in a single job without operator intervention.
This is qualitatively different from painting or post-processing a single-material print. The colour and material differentiation is structural — it is in the part itself, not applied after the fact.
What it changes for prototyping
Colour-accurate models in one run. Product teams can see their branding, labelling, and visual design on a physical object before committing to tooling or packaging. Previously this required either painting (slow, imprecise) or multiple prints assembled together.
Mixed mechanical properties. You can combine rigid and flexible materials in the same part. A handle with a rigid core and a soft-touch grip. A clip with a flexible living hinge and rigid body. This used to require assembly; now it comes out of the printer as a single component.
Functional differentiation. Conductive filament for traces, support material that dissolves in water for complex internal geometries, contrasting colours for assembly guides or branding.
The materials we keep in stock
We hold approximately 100 colours across PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, and several specialty materials (carbon fibre-fill, wood-fill, silk, glow-in-dark, matte). For most requests, we can start the same day. For unusual combinations, we can usually source within 48 hours.
When single-material is still better
Multi-material printing has trade-offs. Purge waste between filament changes increases material cost and adds print time. For large monochrome parts where speed and cost are the priority, a single-material run is more efficient. We advise on the right approach for each job — the goal is always the best outcome, not using the most impressive technology.
If you have a prototype or production requirement and want to understand what multi-material printing could do for it, send us the design brief and we will come back with a recommendation and quote.
No comments yet