real time Filmanet diameter monitoring and proportional adjustment
forgive me if this has already been discussed or suggested. I didn't see anything when I skimmed the forums but it would be great if there was a way to monitor the filament diameter as it is being feed to the extruder and adjust the flow rate appropriately. this would solve a lot of issues with tolerance variation within the spool. I have some experience working with optical micrometers but those tend to be expensive so perhaps there is a cheaper way to do it.
keep up the good work!
Re: real time Filmanet diameter monitoring and proportional adjustment
I'm not on a computer with w/ good drawing tools.
It is possible to measure the filament with any resolution with a simple lever.
In the diagram below:
-the circle would be a 608 skateboard bearing.
-it would roll on top of the filament.
- by increasing the length of the lever label 'B', it is possible to measure the diameter of the filament that the 608 bearing is rolling with any accuracy
- the lever should be spring loaded like it is on the MK2 print head. In fact, you could use the MK2 extruder parts and just extend the part that has is holding the bearing.
Re: real time Filmanet diameter monitoring and proportional adjustment
Hi,
check this out
http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?1,636034
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1788771
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1935177
I would love to get a combination of these tree.
Here another idea:
https://www.youmagine.com/designs/filament-diameter-sensor
Re: real time Filmanet diameter monitoring and proportional adjustment
Since you really care about averge diameter you would need to measure a few different diameters per slice. That is why measuring with a caliper is pretty useless too.
Buy half decent filament?
And there is no circle in your drawing.
Re: real time Filmanet diameter monitoring and proportional adjustment
as there will always be a time lapse between between the measurement point and the melt point, surely you are going to get under extrusion as an increased diameter passes the measurement point and until it reaches the meltpoint, and similarly over extrusion as a reduced diameter passes the measurement point and until it reaches the melt point.
wont that add extra errors to the print?
is this worth the effort?
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
Re: real time Filmanet diameter monitoring and proportional adjustment
as there will always be a time lapse between between the measurement point and the melt point, surely you are going to get under extrusion as an increased diameter passes the measurement point and until it reaches the meltpoint, and similarly over extrusion as a reduced diameter passes the measurement point and until it reaches the melt point.
wont that add extra errors to the print?
is this worth the effort?
regards Joan
you will have a constant distance between measurement and nozzle so you can delay the compensation by a known value
but measuring the deviation is hard to begin with. just one caliper measurement is not enough. as i said it is easier to get filament from a reputable manufacturer than to tackle this problem that really isn't one
Re: real time Filmanet diameter monitoring and proportional adjustment
you will have a constant distance between measurement and nozzle so you can delay the compensation by a known value
but measuring the deviation is hard to begin with. just one caliper measurement is not enough. as i said it is easier to get filament from a reputable manufacturer than to tackle this problem that really isn't one
It is an interesting challenge though, and if I have a way to have great prints with cheap (inaccurate) filament, thats great too.
It would probably also help with using homegrown filament.
Re: real time Filmanet diameter monitoring and proportional adjustment
Filament quality has really improved over the years. I've not had any filament vary enough to jam or have noticeable impact on print quality in years. I buy whatever filament is cheapest on Amazon with Prime shipping.
For DIY filament (e.g. Filastruder) it'd be good.
In this area, I'd be more interested in filament outage detection. If that paused the printer automatically, so I could load in new spool of filament, that'd make life a little easier.