Kraken x Tetras - Revolutionary Bambu Lab AMS

About

Notice: This is compatible with the original AMS only! A similar version is coming for the AMS 2 Pro shortly.

Kraken x Tetras is a special edition of Kraken that is perfectly integrated with the Eibos Tetras (and Dyas) dryer system. It has extended spool dividers that seal against the Tetras lid and together with the Kraken x Tetras front divider set and cover set (both included), each section is effectively sealed off so one spool compartment can be heated to for example 65 C while the spool next to it can be PLA and not be directly affected by the heat.

Caution! For longer drying sessions you should use same type of spools in all slots as heat will spread over time. Also, ensure you have used the covers correctly everywhere and that you monitor the temps on the Tetras displays before an extended drying session.

Kraken x Tetras is fully 3D printed, no dividers or baffles from the Eibos kit are used inside the AMS box, apart from the dryers and electronics of course. The Eibos mounting brackets for the heater panels are still used.

The main changes / improvements over the standard AMS are:

• Perfectly integrated with the Eibos Tetras / Dyas

• "Compact Python" - Uses Python tech but inside stock AMS box

• Compatible with all types of spools and sizes, up to around 70 mm wide.

• All spool diameters fit, from tiny sample spools up to 202 mm diameter spools.

• No need for spool weights.

• No need to rely on roller grip or worry about stuck spools.

• High torque self-centering double helical gears.

• Fully supports RFID in all spool slots.

• Perfect for odd-sized spools and cardboard spools

Discord Support

 If you need any help with the build or want to leave feedback you can join us on Discord:

• Discord - Hydra / Python / Kraken Mod Support

Our server is named “(Unofficial) QIDI Tech 3D Printers” so don't get confused when you join as it was initially setup for that brand of printers but we've expanded it to other brands and 3D printing in general as well as channels for some of my mods, it's where I generally hang out.

BOM - Bill of materials

Silica gel beads.

• 500 g Silica Gel Beads

Recommended Add-ons

These are optional but recommended to maximize the capability of your Kraken AMS.

There is also a Kraken spool holder with a TPU edge for even more quiet operation made by official Kraken tester RifRaf:

• Kraken AMS spool remake with TPU outer rim

FAQ and Technical Specs

“Does this work like an AMS?”

• Absolutely, it works just like the stock AMS except the spools are sitting in spool holders, driven by double helical gears rather than on top of rollers. This highly increases the reliability and versatility.

“Can I use multiple Krakens?”

• Yes, you can daisy chain up to four of them for a 16 spool AMS.

“Can I hot plug an AMS to a printer?”

• Normally this works fine but to be sure please shut down your printer before plugging in Kraken (or a stock AMS for that matter!), it is much safer for the electronics. It avoids electricity spikes that can potentially happen if there is a poor connection between the AMS bus cable (black cable from printer to AMS) and the AMS power board, which in turn can damage the AMS main board.

• Hot-plugging can actually damage the electronics (AMS main board) so plug everything in before you boot up the printer.

“Do I need a stock AMS?”

• Yes. You use those parts and transfer over to Kraken. All of the parts can be bought individually but it might be cheaper to just get an AMS rather than sourcing the parts individually, I haven't compared the prices.

“Does it support RFID tags?”

• Kraken fully supports the Bambu Lab spool RFID tags in all four spool slots.

“Can I use “AMS Savers / Filament Guides" with Kraken?”

• Absolutely, all AMS Savers and so called Filament Guides are supported.

“My spools do not retract fully and I get an error”

• This is not related to this mod but a general AMS issue but we get the question quite often. This is due to the yellow retract gear inside the feeder slipping so it won't fully retract the spool. 

• Please join us on Discord and view the stickies for a video walkthrough on how to fix it, it's easy.

“I get an AMS overload error”

• It could be that the feeder screws are overtightened, forcing it too close to the roller. If so, untighten a few turns.

• Check so that your spools run freely in the spool holder without restriction. 

• Check the spool holder slots (at the spool holder columns) for debris from printing it and clean it. 

• Make sure the bearings rotate normally. If you use the printed version, ensure they rotate smoothly as well. 

• Ensure you don't get any binding between the large spool gear and small feeder gear. 

• If you still can't sort it, please join us on Discord and we'll be happy to help.

“Can I get the source design files in step format?”

• The main Kraken step files are not available publicly. However, some files are available in step format, please view the remix tab.

BOM - Bill of Materials

As Kraken x Tetras is using highy capacity heaters / dryers I recommend printing it in ABS, ASA, PC or PA.

Around 1600 g of filament is required at the recommended print settings for the full build including four spool holders, depending on which filament you use.

Filament

• Prusament Galaxy Black

Bearings (Optional, you can use the 3D printed version instead)

• 608-ZZ bearings (or 608-RS)

PTFE tubes (Optional)

You need about 1.5-2 m PTFE tube to cut to length but if you're upgrading you can just keep the old PTFE tubes, make sure they're not worn though. I recommend the stock Bambu PTFE tube which has an inner diameter of 2.5 mm and an outer diameter of 4.0 mm. Go for the AMS Hub / Custom Cut which is a single piece 4 m tube.

• Bambu Lab PTFE Tube 4 m 

The Hex Tools are superb for any 3D printer; I've had mine for years. They are particularly useful for the Kraken assembly.

• Hex Tools (1.5 mm - 3.0 mm) 

Support Boxes

Although the support boxes may seem wasteful, they are highly recommended as they prevent warping of the tall thin parts, especially the sidewalls of Kraken x Tetras. There are also two support box containers included in this print.

They're set to just 1 wall and 5% infill in the Print Profiles and do not waste too much filament but of course add to the print time. And once you've completed the full Kraken x Tetras print you don't have to throw them away, they're usable, stackable boxes you can store things in.

Warranty

Kraken x Tetras does not void your warranty but be careful, especially with the AMS main board, use an antistatic wrist band. Although the mod is completely reversible and you can't tell the parts have been installed in Kraken, I take no responsibility and you're on your own. Be careful and take it slow, read this page twice before you start. 

Print Settings

Most parts print without supports and I recommend using 4 walls and 30% infill for the main parts and 3 walls and an infill of around 15% for the rest of the parts. The spool rings can be printed with 2 walls and 10% infill to save some material.

The support boxes should be printed with 1 wall only and 5% infill. All this is prepared in the Print Profiles, including supports so you I recommend using these. PLA and PETG builds can most likely be printed completely without the support boxes so there's a version of these available as well, or in case you want to create your own custom supports.

Both versions of the front roller sleeves are included, if you know which version you have you can delete the extra set from the print profile. The same goes for the printable bearings, if you use real 608 bearings you can of course delete it as well.

Tip: The drive gear sleeves can be printed in TPU 95-98A (tested by me) for a much more silent operation but normal “hard” filament is fine too but will be slightly louder when it's switching spools, you might not notice a difference though as the AMS box is quite well insulated.

Assembly Instructions

The assembly is identical to the normal Kraken so please view the guide here or download the assembly guide in PDF from the files section.

Installing The Cover Set

Once you have installed Kraken x Tetras in the AMS box according to the assembly instructions above, continue with installing the four PTFE covers and the two motor covers, they're all press fit, marked in Dark Grey and Red here. Make sure you have installed the PTFE tubes first of course as well as the rest from the main assembly.

The Kraken x Tetras tray has little guide dots for the PTFE covers, while the motor covers (left and right) snap in place.

Next, installed the feeder covers, begin by resting the bottom of it at the curved area just in front of the lower part of the feeder:

Then just fold it back so it snap in place under the clear cover of the feeder.

Do the same for all four feeders.

Installing The Front Dividers and Silica Gel Boxes

As Kraken x Tetras has four individual high capacity heaters / dryers means you practically never have to remove the front silica gel boxes and dividers with integrated silica containers as these will dry the silica gel stored in the AMS, as long as you use the drying function every now and then. So it's sort of a set and forget setup, quite nice!

But if you wish to, it's a two minute job (at most) to remove them if you wish to replenish the silica gel externally.

Begin by filling the containers with silica gel and slide over the snap-in-place cover, no screws are used.

I'm using some silica gel I found on Aliexpress myself:

• 500 g Silica Gel Beads

A complete setup of front silica boxes and dividers holds a massive 240 g of silica gel, you can see my 500 g container I bought is less than half full after filling!

There are three main rectangular silica gel boxes that room most of the beads while the three dividers in front of them room around 20 g each as well. These dividers provide as seal against the lid as well as a curved surface for optimized airflow from the heaters.

The outer dividers are just curved in the same fashion as the dividers for airflow reasons, they do not hold any silica.

Begin with the filled main silica gel boxes (Dark Grey), tilt them a little and slide them in between each feeder.

Then push them against the front plastic of the AMS box:

Next, slide down the three dividers in front of the main silica gel boxes. There's a little tab that aligns it with the main Kraken x Tetras tray, circled in red.

At the same time, also slide down the left and right dividers:

Next, to have everything sealed against the top lid, install the four divider bars, they are press fit.

Finally, before installing the rear cover, ensure the PTFE tube in the back of the AMS is connected.

Then as the final step, just slide down the rear cover, there are tabs on it as well to align and lock against the Kraken x Tetras main tray.

All done! Install the rear rollers and the optional spool guides.

Pictures

Your build is now complete and should look like this.

Notice: These pictures are from Hydra x Tetras which looks very similar and use the same front dividers, silica boxes and so on. I'll update this as soon as possible with actual Kraken x Tetras pics.

The front dividers were printed in black to showcase the different sections.

The front dividers are curved for optimized airflow and the covers seal off the electronics and prevent heat from spreading to the different spool sections.

When you close the Tetras lid, the dividers will slide into the Hydra x Tetras main tray and seal off the different sections: