MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?  

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

I'm pretty sure it will.

Once the gcode gets passed the starting gcode and the main code block is running, then there's little difference between slicers. The ability to detect when a spool has run out and switch to the next is entirely firmware driven, so I think it should work fine.

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

ok thanks, but it's not obvious to me how I load the hot end extruder with the filament to get the print started in single mode. When I use the LCD (or button) on the MMU to load the filament it only loads it to the MMU.

I ran a print with an old GCODE file, and no filament ever made it to the hot end.

How do I get the MMU to push the filament to the actual hot end extruder to start the print?

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

I'm not using CURA but I've done a single-filament MMU2 profile for Simplify3D. So it should be doable.
Special Tx and Tc gcode is required for loading procedure. After the print is done, I suggest to do some cooling moves for filament tip shaping and unload the filament. In addition remove any T0 ... T9 codes, otherwise MMU2 will change the filament.

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

Hmmm....so I have to manually edit my existing GCODE and add the TX and TC GCODE to get things started, and some code to end properly.

Is there any documentation about this?

I really don't want to have to re-slice my STL files with the PRUSA slicer, since these designs print well as is.

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

Without any changes to my existing GCODE, I manually pushed the filament#1 after the print had started. It missed a bit of print until the extruder got filled with filament, but then started printing.

I have auto deplete enabled on the LCD.

I manually cut the filament#1 to see if it would detect it and switch to filament#2, but it didn't. The end went passed the FINDA probe and continued.

So looks like there is more to this Auto-Deplete feature. Seems like GCODE is needed to get things started properly so it can detect the end of a spool and switch over.

Tony

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

You don’t need special start code. Just load a filament to nozzle (via printer menu) and go.

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

Without any changes to my existing GCODE, I manually pushed the filament#1 after the print had started. It missed a bit of print until the extruder got filled with filament, but then started printing.

I have auto deplete enabled on the LCD.

I manually cut the filament#1 to see if it would detect it and switch to filament#2, but it didn't. The end went passed the FINDA probe and continued.

So looks like there is more to this Auto-Deplete feature. Seems like GCODE is needed to get things started properly so it can detect the end of a spool and switch over.

Tony

Did the mmu start normally, and do it’s pre start calibrations?

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

Yes the MMU2 starts, moves left and right. I also did the length calibration for each filament.

On the menu, I see the "Load Filament 1" menu, but this only loads to the MMU2. It doesn't push the filament to the hot end.

I looked at some GCODE generated by PRUSA slicer, and I see a "T?" command. I entered this in my existing GCODE, and that prompted me to select filament to start the print. So seems like the command "T?" is needed to get things started after the heating and bed leveling is completed.

At the end, I also need to issue an "unload filament", otherwise the MMU2 will complain on next power cycle if the FINDA sees filament.

If there is another menu command to load the filament to the hot end, I am missing it.

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

If there is another menu command to load the filament to the hot end, I am missing it.

With the most recent firmware:

Tx ; Select filament
Tc ; Load filament


for the ending part I would do like that:

; ----Prepare the nozzle tip------
G1 X0 Y210 F7200
G1 E2 F5000
G1 E2 F5500
G1 E2 F6000
G1 E-15.0000 F5800
G1 E-20.0000 F5500
G1 E10.0000 F3000
G1 E-10.0000 F3100
G1 E10.0000 F3150
G1 E-10.0000 F3250
G1 E10.0000 F3300
M702 C ; Unload filament
G4 ; wait

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

Sure enough, first thing I should have done is upgrade the printers firmware. Just loaded up 3.5.1-1778 and the menu now has a new item to load the filament to the nozzle.

This works out perfectly with GCODE that wasn't sliced with PRUSA slicer. I tested it out and it works. Just load the filaments to the MMU2, then pre-heat, then load filament to nozzle all via LCD menu, then run old GCODE from SD card.

I tested the auto-deplete and it also and it works with old GCODE. I manually cut the filament#1 and once it got to the end got to the FINDA probe, the head moved off to the side, unloaded filament#1 and loaded up filament#2, did a purge, and carried on with print.

I will have to add that GCODE in the end (looks like some acrobatics going on there with extruding out, then in, then out, then in...) or just remember to manually unload the filament via the menu before shutting down the printer.

Thanks for the help!

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

Yes the MMU2 starts, moves left and right. I also did the length calibration for each filament.

On the menu, I see the "Load Filament 1" menu, but this only loads to the MMU2. It doesn't push the filament to the hot end.

I looked at some GCODE generated by PRUSA slicer, and I see a "T?" command. I entered this in my existing GCODE, and that prompted me to select filament to start the print. So seems like the command "T?" is needed to get things started after the heating and bed leveling is completed.

At the end, I also need to issue an "unload filament", otherwise the MMU2 will complain on next power cycle if the FINDA sees filament.

If there is another menu command to load the filament to the hot end, I am missing it.

Are you running latest firmware. There should be "load to nozzle" in the menu too.
Also, latest firmware handles the loaded filament on shutdown/startup problem much better. It allows you to unload filament, then does a calibration to reenable the MMU selection.

Update: Never mind. Just got to page 2. 😀

Re: MMU, Single Mode, Auto-Deplete feature with CURA GCODE?

Yes, the latest firmware handles the situation where filament is left in the nozzle gracefully on a power cycle. I tested it out and it once the heating is done, and bed levelling is complete, it asks which filament to use and unloads current filament, and then loads the requested filament.