Skip to main content

Setting up filament inventory

The filament inventory in 3DPrintForge gives you a complete overview of all your spools — what is left, what you have used, and which spools are currently loaded in the AMS.

Automatic creation from AMS​

When you connect a printer with AMS, the dashboard automatically reads information from the RFID chips on Bambu spools:

  • Filament type (PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, etc.)
  • Color (with color hex)
  • Brand (Bambu Lab)
  • Spool weight and remaining amount

These spools are created automatically in the inventory — you do not need to do anything. View them under Filament → Inventory.

:::info Only Bambu spools have RFID Third-party spools (e.g. eSUN, Polymaker, Bambu refills without a chip) are not recognized automatically. These must be added manually. :::

Manually adding spools​

For spools without RFID, or for spools not loaded in the AMS:

  1. Go to Filament → Inventory
  2. Click + New spool in the top right corner
  3. Fill in the fields:
FieldExampleRequired
BrandeSUN, Polymaker, BambuYes
TypePLA, PETG, ABS, TPUYes
Color#FF5500 or choose from color wheelYes
Starting weight1000 gRecommended
Remaining850 gRecommended
Diameter1.75 mmYes
Note"Purchased 2025-01, works well"Optional
  1. Click Save

Configuring colors and brand​

You can edit a spool at any time by clicking on it in the inventory overview:

  • Color — Choose from the color wheel or enter a hex value. The color is used as a visual marker in the AMS overview
  • Brand — Shown in statistics and filtering. Create custom brands under Filament → Brands
  • Temperature profile — Enter the recommended nozzle and plate temperature from the filament manufacturer. The dashboard can then warn you if you select the wrong temperature

Understanding AMS synchronization​

The dashboard synchronizes AMS status in real time:

AMS Slot 1 → Spool: Bambu PLA White [███████░░░] 72% remaining
AMS Slot 2 → Spool: eSUN PETG Gray [████░░░░░░] 41% remaining
AMS Slot 3 → (empty)
AMS Slot 4 → Spool: Bambu PLA Red [██████████] 98% remaining

Synchronization updates:

  • During print — consumption is deducted in real time
  • At print end — final consumption is logged in the history
  • Manually — click the sync icon on a spool to fetch updated data from the AMS

:::tip Correcting AMS estimates The AMS estimate from RFID is not always 100% accurate after the first use. Weigh the spool and update the weight manually for best accuracy. :::

Checking consumption and remaining amount​

Per spool​

Click on a spool in the inventory to see:

  • Total used (grams, all prints)
  • Estimated remaining amount
  • List of all prints that used this spool

Overall statistics​

Under Analytics → Filament Analysis you can see:

  • Consumption per filament type over time
  • Which brands you use the most
  • Estimated cost based on purchase price per kg

Low-level alerts​

Set up alerts for when a spool is running low:

  1. Go to Filament → Settings
  2. Enable Alert on low stock
  3. Set threshold (e.g. 100 g remaining)
  4. Select notification channel (Telegram, Discord, email)

Tip: Weigh spools for accuracy​

The estimates from AMS and from print statistics are never completely exact. The most accurate method is to weigh the spool itself:

How to do it:

  1. Find the tare weight (empty spool) — typically 200–250 g, check the manufacturer's website or the bottom of the spool
  2. Weigh the spool with filament on a kitchen scale
  3. Subtract the tare weight
  4. Update Remaining in the spool profile

Example:

Measured weight: 743 g
Tare (empty): - 230 g
Filament left: 513 g

:::tip Spool label generator Under Tools → Labels you can print labels with a QR code for your spools. Scan the code with your phone to quickly open the spool profile. :::