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Sandi
(@sandi)
Active Member
Filament color change

Recently (the last 3 prints) I have been getting the print stopping and the printer asking for a filament change. I have not programmed a filament change, it is doing it on its own.  Any reason why?  I have a fairly large print and it's been annoying that it keeps stopping for a filament color change when there is not one.  Thanks in advance.

Posted : 20/08/2019 1:29 pm
Greg
 Greg
(@greg-9)
Active Member
RE: Filament color change

Did you double check that you did not accidentally add a color change in prusaslicer (the slider on the right after you slice the file and look at the layer view)?  I've done that once before is why I ask.

Posted : 20/08/2019 2:09 pm
Sandi
(@sandi)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Filament color change

Yes, I did. I specifically did because the previous print did the same thing to me. That's why I'm confused. But appreciate the answer.

Posted : 20/08/2019 2:17 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: Filament color change

I'm guessing you have a MK3s, the filament sensor is very finicky and can register as no filament, that leads to a filament change process.  I'd be double checking that part of the build to make sure its reliable.  Either that are turning it off.

Posted : 20/08/2019 2:58 pm
Sandi liked
Sandi
(@sandi)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Filament color change

Sorry I didn't post that. It's an MK3. 

Posted : 20/08/2019 4:01 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
RE: Filament color change
Posted by: mizzle54

Sorry I didn't post that. It's an MK3. 

If it's an OG Mk3 (not a Mk3s), try cleaning out the filament sensor. Mine had degraded badly to the point that I disabled it after a few months. I finally opened it up and (carefully) cleaned the sensor, and have made a point of blasting it out regularly. It is now very reliable, and only malfunctions with a few specific filaments. I prefer the old sensor arrangement and have not upgraded to Mk3s parts.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 20/08/2019 5:24 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: Filament color change

What Bob said 🙂  I went a bit more extreme and printed off the butterworth extruder mod that uses a small bearing as an interface between the Mk3 sensor and the filament and now it works perfectly, even with transparent filament.  I thinks its way better than the new MK3s sensor.

Posted : 20/08/2019 5:51 pm
--
 --
(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: Filament color change

After my MK3 sensor proved unreliable on any color lighter than dark gray I disabled it.  High sheen filaments are a problem, light colors are a problem, translucent colors are a problem, and all because many filaments are translucent to the laser color used. 

The sensor is actually a great idea, just too sensitive to some very basic filament characteristics.  When I was trying to use it, the pauses and halts were annoying. At first I just flagged the filament spool and planned end of spool manual changes during daylight hours. But after a while I just went with that routine for everything.

Posted : 21/08/2019 7:18 am
Sandi liked
Texy
 Texy
(@texy)
Reputable Member
RE: Filament color change
Posted by: mizzle54

Recently (the last 3 prints) I have been getting the print stopping and the printer asking for a filament change. I have not programmed a filament change, it is doing it on its own.  Any reason why?  I have a fairly large print and it's been annoying that it keeps stopping for a filament color change when there is not one.  Thanks in advance.

Upload as an attachment one of the gcode  files.....

 

Texy

Posted : 22/08/2019 3:18 pm
Sandi
(@sandi)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Filament color change

I will when I get back, going to be out of town for 12 days. 

Posted : 22/08/2019 6:50 pm
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