What Makes a Model “Multi-Material Ready”?
Multi-material printing requires one of two things:
- A model composed of multiple mesh files, each representing a different part or material (e.g., buttons, shells, highlights, inserts).
- A model with multiple volumes in a single file, often exported from CAD or parametric design software as distinct bodies.
STLs are the most common file type, but Bambu Studio also accepts 3MF files, which preserve color, material, and structural data more cleanly.
Step-by-Step: Preparing a Multi-Material Print
1. Create the Model in a CAD Tool
Use software like Fusion 360, Blender, SolidWorks, or Tinkercad. Design your part as separate bodies, even if they touch. Each body will be assigned a filament in the slicer.
Tips:
- Ensure parts are perfectly aligned when exported individually.
- Use tolerances if parts must fit together (e.g., shell + insert).
- Avoid tiny, floating islands—they’re harder to print cleanly.
2. Export and Combine in Bambu Studio
- Import each part as a separate STL or import a single 3MF file.
- Right-click one model and choose “Combine” to group models into a single object with multiple volumes.
- Assign each sub-part to a separate AMS slot or extruder.
3. Assign Materials and Settings
- In the Object List, select each sub-part and choose its filament and settings.
- Use Prime Tower settings to cleanly switch between materials. Prime towers help avoid color mixing or residue.
- Adjust purge volumes if you’re printing with similar colors or sensitive materials.
4. Slice and Preview Carefully
- Use the preview mode to simulate material switches layer by layer.
- Check for thin lines or unsupported transitions, especially in overhangs between materials.
Design Strategies That Work Well
- Color Accents: Logos, labels, or design elements with sharp contrast.
- Material Contrast: Soft TPU gaskets inside rigid PETG shells.
- Dissolvable Supports: Use PVA or BVOH in AMS for clean support removal.
Limitations and Gotchas
- Material Compatibility: Not all materials adhere to each other well. PLA and TPU, for example, rarely bond cleanly.
- AMS Sensitivity: Flexibles, brittle filaments, and composites often jam in the AMS. Manual loading is better for these.
- Purge Waste: Every material switch adds filament waste. Consider this when designing color-heavy parts.
Pro Tip: Use Modifier Meshes for Smart Transitions
In Bambu Studio, you can apply modifier meshes (e.g., blocks or cylinders) to specific regions to change infill, wall count, or material in those zones. This allows single-mesh parts to benefit from multi-material or multi-property printing without redesigning the original model.
Final Thoughts
Bambu Lab has made multi-material printing dramatically easier, but quality still depends on thoughtful design. The more intentional your model is—structurally, visually, and functionally—the better the print result.
Zeltar Design 
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