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Understanding filament sensors  

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Thor2j
(@thor2j)
Active Member
Understanding filament sensors

I recently added mmu2 and at same time upgraded mk3 to mk3s. I have the Finda  sensor on the mmu aNd it works fine. I can’t quite understand the IR sensor on the main unit. Many places say it’s not required because of the pinda on the mmu. On top of this no matter what I try it won’t calibrate. Always shows 0 no matter if I try and move it over . I believe in the menu it’s turned off anyways. Would this effect the calibration? Wouldn’t u want this sensor on as well. 
Even though I can’t get it to calibrate, believe it or not things seem to be printing ok. 
just trying to understand the IR sensor and it’s use with an MMU. 
thanks

Posted : 16/04/2020 1:42 am
pcweber
(@pcweber)
Member
RE: Understanding filament sensors

I have got the IR sensor and it works perfectly. Now that said, the installation wasn't absent of errors that I provoked during the assembly. It really needs to be operational as the MMU feeds the filament it needs that input to pass the filament movement to the extruder motor. There are several posts that mention things such as cutting a very small piece off of the actuator door, checking the electrical connections, and as you said to activate the sensor from the settings menu.

Moving the tower as in the calibration routine should work without any problems. Checking the tightness of the screw that holds the actuator helps as well as the tensioner. But the lateral movement of the tower should produce the 1 and zero indications in the support/sensors menu selection. No change may mean that there is no electrical connection to the correct terminal on the EINSY board. That, by the way, is where I made my mistake. I would suggest that you verify this first.

Good luck, and stay safe.

Phil

Stay safe and healthy, Phil

Posted : 16/04/2020 10:18 am
Thor2j
(@thor2j)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Understanding filament sensors

What I still don’t understand is the upgrade instructions from my mk3 to mk3s/mmu2 install says

 

The package also include magnets, which are used on the single material version and are not needed when assembling the MMU2S upgrade. We include them as an extra if you decide to switch to single material.

 

so if I’m not installing this sensor what is sensing the filament?

Posted : 16/04/2020 5:17 pm
pcweber
(@pcweber)
Member
RE: Understanding filament sensors

Part of the mmu2 kit has a sensor that goes into the extruder assembly on a sort of chimney. The sensor is actuated by the door on the opposite side of the tensioner and by moving the top which is a lever it passes in front of the sensor. If the sensor and the lever are properly installed you get a change 0 - 1. I kept the magnets for other uses since I don't plan on going back to the single filament. By loosening the screws where the filament feeds into the extruder you can also push on the lever assembly. idler, and get a state change from the sensor.

Good luck, and be safe

Phil

Stay safe and healthy, Phil

Posted : 16/04/2020 8:25 pm
Thor2j
(@thor2j)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Understanding filament sensors

I rechecked everything and didn't realize I had to push an Allen wrench down that hard to get sensor to trip. Working perfectly. 

Posted : 17/04/2020 2:09 pm
pcweber
(@pcweber)
Member
RE: Understanding filament sensors

Great news. Remember to ensure that the idler tension is sufficient to push the filament and still trigger the sensor. If it's too tight there will be other problems.

Good luck and be safe, 

Phil 

Stay safe and healthy, Phil

Posted : 17/04/2020 2:58 pm
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