Our Story
About MechAMS
A purely mechanical multi-material system, designed by a hobbyist for hobbyists.
The Origin
Why pay for motors?
The idea for MechAMS started with a simple frustration: I wanted multi-color printing, but I wasn't willing to pay the premium price for existing AMS systems.
When I looked at the existing systems on the market, the math didn't add up. In hindsight, the price tag felt incredibly high for what amounted to a few motors, casing and a control board. I realized that the cost wasn't just in the hardware, it was in the software and closed ecosystem.
I asked myself: Could I build a cheaper alternative that doesn't break the bank, stripping away the electronics but keeping the functionality?
Design Philosophy
Complexity through Simplicity
MechAMS is built on a strict design rule: Keep costs low and make it fully printable.
Mechanical, not Electrical
The biggest challenge was replacing software logic with mechanical logic. Electronic third-party systems already existed, so creating another electronics-based system wasn't true innovation. The goal was a purely mechanical solution that works with the printer, not just alongside it.
Reliability through Iteration
This wasn't an overnight success. It took six months of distinct iteration. I started by over-engineering the solution, then slowly stripped it back. The final result looks simple, but that simplicity is the result of solving lots of headaches and complex problems.
Repairability by Design
Because the goal was a fully 3D-printed system, repairability happened naturally. If a part breaks, you don't call support or wait for shipping. You print a new one.
About the Creator
From One Maker to Another
I am a 3D printing hobbyist with a professional background in Safety and Security and hands-on experience in full stack engineering. I am not a formally schooled engineer.
Everything I learned about engineering, I learned by doing/running into problems, failing, and redesigning. My fascination with mechatronics really began when I watched the simple mechanisms on my own printer namely the filament cutter, the nozzle wiper, and the poop chute in action. I was captivated by how these clever mechanical movements achieved complex functionality at a fraction of the cost of electronic alternatives.
MechAMS is the result of that fascination turning into a professional pursuit. Designed with the passion of an enthusiast and the standards of a professional.
The Mission
Open and Hackable
We're seeing more and more closed ecosystems in 3D printers that lock you down with software limits and proprietary hardware. MechAMS is built to go the other way: open, hackable, and under your control.
Right to Tinker
I want users to feel like they built part of their own machine. By building MechAMS, you gain a better understanding of G-code, mechanical systems, and how your printer actually works.
Future Proofing
My goal is to expand this system to other printers (Bambu Lab and beyond) and increase the slot capacity.
Filling the Gap
MechAMS fills the gap for the hobbyist who wants to print multi-color occasionally, doesn't want to spend hundreds of dollars, and values the freedom to customize their tools.