In a previous blog, I shared how I built a smart filament drying box using the SONOFF TH Elite. It monitors and controls temperature in real-time and works great with my Bambu A1 MINI. The system has been stable and effective in keeping my filament dry.
But then came a new challenge—I wanted to try multicolor printing on the A1 MINI. That usually means managing multiple spools of filament. Using one TH Elite per drying box would be too expensive, so I decided to upgrade to a large drying box that could dry four spools at once with centralized temperature control.
The drying box solved the moisture issue, but multicolor printing still had one big drawback: manual filament switching. Doing that every time was tedious. While researching online, I came across a great open-source project—BMCU, which enables up to 4-channel motorized filament feed and retraction!
I was beyond excited. By using SONOFF TH16 for temperature and BMCU for feed control, I could integrate them into the A1 MINI system — essentially creating a budget-friendly AMS Pro 2 alternative! The best part? It’s compatible with Bambu’s system, runs locally, and doesn’t require any motherboard hacks!
The official AMS Pro 2 retails for nearly ¥2000 RMB (around $275 USD ), but I estimate my full DIY setup will cost less than ¥300 RMB. That’s nearly the price of a whole extra printer! I’ve already started printing the BMCU structural parts, ordered the PCBs, and am gradually receiving all the necessary components. Can’t wait to bring this DIY system to life!
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