Published spool limits by unit
Most 1 kg spools are about 200 mm across, so diameter is rarely the problem. Width varies more between brands, and that is where a spool can be rejected. All figures below come from each maker’s own spec or wiki page on 30 October 2026.
| Unit | Spool diameter | Spool width | Cardboard spools | TPU through the unit | RFID needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu AMS 2 Pro | 197–202 mm [1] | 50–68 mm [1] | No guidance on spec page | TPU for AMS only; not generic TPU [1] | No; reads Bambu tags [1][5] |
| Bambu AMS HT | 197–202 mm [3] | 50–68 mm [3] | No guidance on spec page | Generic TPU via bypass outlet [3] | No [3] |
| Bambu AMS lite | Inner hole 53–58 mm [2] | 40–68 mm [2] | Holder grips the centre hole, which Bambu says helps paper spools [2] | TPU for AMS only; not generic TPU [2] | No [5] |
| Creality CFS | 197–202 mm [6] | 42–68 mm [6] | Not recommended; choose RFID plastic-spool versions [8] | No TPU [6] | No; manual edit [9] |
| Creality CFS Lite | 195–202 mm [7] | 42–68 mm [7] | Works with Creality Hyper paper spools [7] | TPU 77D/64D only; not 95A [7] | Not stated |
| Anycubic ACE 2 Pro / ACE Pro | 195–200 mm [11][13] | 60–68 mm [11][13] | Not officially recommended; use printed adapter rings [11] | TPU 95A can be dried, not printed through the unit [12][13] | Not stated |
Materials each unit will not feed
Bambu’s filament guide groups the problem filaments into three kinds: too soft, such as TPU and damp PVA or BVOH, which jam the feed path; too brittle, such as some PET-CF, PLA Wood and PA-CF, which snap inside it; and too hard and rough, such as some fibre-filled filaments, which wear the internal channels [4]. It adds that the AMS has an extra feed gear the AMS lite lacks, so PETG-CF and PLA Wood work in the AMS but are not recommended for the AMS lite [4].
Bambu’s spec pages turn that into lists. The AMS 2 Pro does not support TPE, generic TPU, damp PVA or BVOH, Bambu PET-CF or TPU 95A, or other carbon- or glass-filled filament; Bambu’s own PLA-CF, PAHT-CF and PETG-CF are on its supported list [1]. The AMS lite does not support generic TPU, damp PVA, PLA Glow, PETG-CF, ABS, ASA, PC or fibre-filled engineering filaments [2]. Creality says the CFS should not be used for any TPU or elastic material, or PVA and BVOH softened by moisture, and that hard materials such as PPA-CF and PPS-CF can break in the tube [6]. Anycubic tells ACE 2 Pro users to avoid very hard, brittle or fibre-reinforced filaments and non-official PLA Silk [12].
- Abrasive warning: Bambu says rough materials such as carbon-fibre or glow filament can grind down the AMS’s internal PTFE feed channels over time, even if they load fine at first [4].
- Anycubic advises checking the ACE 2 Pro’s feed tubes regularly and replacing worn ones [12]; Bambu notes that the AMS’s inner PTFE tubes are replaceable [4].
Setting up a spool without RFID
RFID only saves typing. Bambu’s AMS 2 Pro uses RFID to auto-match drying settings for Bambu’s own filament [1], and Bambu Studio’s AMS panel has an edit icon to set filament type and colour for any slot, after which AMS mapping matches slots to the job [5].
On Creality’s CFS, an untagged spool shows a question mark and the edit button becomes active; you choose brand, type, name and colour [9]. The gotcha is on swaps: when you replace one non-RFID spool with another, the screen keeps showing the old filament’s details until you re-edit them [9]. Creality Print supports the same manual editing for non-Creality filament and can auto-map CFS slots to presets [10].
Anycubic’s ACE pages cover sizes and materials but did not describe the untagged-spool workflow in the pages we checked, so follow the prompts in Anycubic Slicer Next or on the printer.
Cardboard spools: the practical answer
Anycubic is the most explicit. It says cardboard spools shed paper dust, add friction during fast feeding, and can deform at the edges over long prints until the spool tilts and the print fails [11]. It suggests printed spool guards or adapter rings on both sides, and says spool-guard models for Anycubic’s own filament are among the test files on the printer [11].
Creality’s CFS store page says paper-spool filament is not recommended in the CFS and to choose the RFID plastic-spool version [8], while its newer CFS Lite page lists Creality Hyper paper spools and third-party brands such as Rambo, Sunlu and eSUN as compatible [7]. Bambu’s AMS lite page says its rotary holder grips the centre hole to improve compatibility, especially with paper spools [2].
Checklist before you buy a cheaper spool
Check the spool, not just the price per kilogram. A spool that does not fit the unit has to run from an external holder, which removes it from automatic colour changes.
- Measure or look up spool width: under 60 mm will not suit an ACE unit, and under 50 mm will not suit an AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT [1][3][11].
- Prefer plastic spools; if you buy cardboard, print adapter rings before loading it into a CFS or ACE [8][11].
- Avoid fibre-filled, glow and very soft filaments in any of these units unless the spec page names them [1][2][6][12].
- Dry PVA and BVOH before loading; damp spools are unsupported on Bambu and Creality units [1][6].
- After every swap on a CFS, re-enter the new spool’s details [9].
Questions before you decide
Do I need RFID filament for the Bambu AMS?
No. RFID lets the AMS read Bambu’s own spools automatically, but Bambu Studio lets you set filament type and colour for any AMS slot with the edit icon.
Can I use cardboard spools in the Anycubic ACE 2 Pro?
Anycubic does not officially recommend it because cardboard sheds dust, adds friction and can deform. It suggests printing spool guards or adapter rings for both sides.
What spool width does the Creality CFS accept?
Creality’s wiki gives a CFS spool range of 197–202 mm diameter and 42–68 mm thickness, and recommends its Hyper plastic spools as the most tested option.
Can TPU go through a multicolour unit?
Generally not. Creality excludes all TPU from the CFS, Anycubic says TPU 95A can be dried in the ACE but not printed through it, and Bambu supports only its TPU for AMS, with generic TPU on the AMS HT bypass outlet.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Bambu Lab US store: AMS 2 Pro specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Bambu Lab US store: AMS lite specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Bambu Lab US store: AMS HT specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Bambu Lab Wiki: Filament guide, AMS and AMS lite compatibility Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Bambu Lab Wiki: Use AMS on Bambu Studio Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Creality Wiki: CFS filament compatibility Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Creality Wiki: CFS Lite filament compatibility guide Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Creality store: CFS Creality Filament System Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Creality Wiki: K2 Plus, use CFS to load, unload and replace filament Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Creality Wiki: Guide to using CFS in Creality Print Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Anycubic Wiki: ACE 2 Pro FAQ Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Anycubic Wiki: ACE 2 Pro warm tips Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Anycubic Wiki: Notes for ACE Pro Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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