How can I test the filament sensor?
I have had my Mini for a few weeks and its been pretty much faultless after a few teething problems.
I never actually tested the Filament Sensor, but the fact that it was there re-assured me.
Today I am trying to make something, so needed to print a "draft" version first.. So I decided to print it with the few meters of filament which was loaded and then change it when it ran out.
I forgot all about the print but when it finished, I found only 1/2 an object on the bed.. The printer ran out of filament and it just keep feeding..
So it appears that the filament sensor is not working.. But how can I test it? Its enabled ion the menus... So are there any tests I can do to find out why it didn't detect the filament running out.
Correct me if i am wrong, but unlike the Mk3, the Mini Filament Sensor is not used during loading is it? It only detects "Run out" of filament??
RE: How can I test the filament sensor?
I took the lid off the FS and the mechanism is really simple.. I could see it actuating and blocking the optical sensor when I pushed filament in, so its appears mechanically sound.
I started a print and then actuated the lever by hand and it recognised this and ejected/reloaded the filament.
I then put it back together and tried again and it worked.. So finally I did a print.. Cut the filament and waited and it sensed this just fine..
So it appears to be working.. Whether I encounted a random glitch, or taking it appart fixed it, I don't know.. Is there a way to check whether its working? Any system menu to show the FS status like the MK3?
RE: How can I test the filament sensor?
There isn't an option in the menu / web interface yet, but the easiest way to test it (after making sure that it is turned on in the settings - sometimes I found it off for no reason after enabling it manually) is to start a print with no filament loaded; if it's working, it'll say "no filament detected - please load filament to continue" or something along those lines, I can't remember the exact words. So you might actually have experienced a glitch or something. By the way, which firmware version are you using?
And no, it is not used yet during loading, but the auto load feature might come in a future update.
RE: How can I test the filament sensor?
There isn't an option in the menu / web interface yet, but the easiest way to test it (after making sure that it is turned on in the settings - sometimes I found it off for no reason after enabling it manually) is to start a print with no filament loaded; if it's working, it'll say "no filament detected - please load filament to continue" or something along those lines, I can't remember the exact words. So you might actually have experienced a glitch or something. By the way, which firmware version are you using?
And no, it is not used yet during loading, but the auto load feature might come in a future update.
I am using the latest firmware... And in 2 tests now, its worked fine.. So I am going to have to write this off as a one off.. Its not good though as I am not sure I can trust it now.. And if I don't trust or use it, whats the point in having it??
Its a shame you can't see something in the menus to show it activating, just so I could keep an eye on this.. Or even see if I have an intermittent fault.. Right now, I have no way to test it or prove a fault without doing prints and shaking it about to see if there is any kind of loose connection....
RE: How can I test the filament sensor?
I remember mine did not work at first because one of the screws was too tight, maybe the same happened to yours and you fixed it when you took it apart. I'd say you can trust it.
RE: How can I test the filament sensor?
Oh, and I think in the next updates the sensor's status will be shown in the web interface (right now it says NA but it'll be fixed) so that would be helpful.
RE: How can I test the filament sensor?
I remember mine did not work at first because one of the screws was too tight, maybe the same happened to yours and you fixed it when you took it apart. I'd say you can trust it.
So I was going to mention this... When i took it appart, I undid all 3 screws until I realised the middle one was the axle of the rocker, which didn't need to be released.
I put the middle screw back and soon realised that if it was too tight, it would stop the arm from moving and could leave it locked open (as if Filament was install)... So I set it so that the arm moved freely and then put it back together.
Its entirly possible that this screw was too tight, such that the arm wasn't moving... So I think i need to do some more tests and get some confidence back that its now working every time.
But I will only be fully happy when there is a way to test or see the status of the FS without doing a print.. And if its coming in Future Firmware, I will be more than happy.
Cheers
Jon
RE: How can I test the filament sensor?
I have the filament sensor, and will be testing later today. Thanks for the procedure!
Do you happen to know how the firmware responds to the sensor detecting the end of filament? Does it immediately pause printing and wait to be refilled, or does it continue to use the ~30cm of filament or so remaining?
RE: How can I test the filament sensor?
Do you happen to know how the firmware responds to the sensor detecting the end of filament? Does it immediately pause printing and wait to be refilled, or does it continue to use the ~30cm of filament or so remaining?
As soon as the sensor triggers, the print pauses and the extruder spits out the remaining filament, I think because it would not be able to push it past the extruder gear. Then the printer displays the "Change Filament" screen.