What is the proper procedure for changing filament when the spool runs out?
I'm new to 3d printing and have done several prints on my XL now. I'm on my 3rd spool. So far, every single time a spool has run out, I get the message on the screen that it needs to unload the filament. And every single time, it has failed and told me to open the idler and remove it manually. How is the auto unloader supposed to work? Because so far, it has never worked for me. Is it supposed to push the filament out of the tube at the point you load it from the spool so you can pull it out? What can I do to make this functionality work properly? Even when I did open the idler, it was very difficult to get the filament out because barely any of it was sticking out.
Am I supposed to just pause the print when I know it's getting close, so that I can pull it out from the spool and load a new one?
RE: What is the proper procedure for changing filament when the spool runs out?
Hello.
Which XL do you use?
With two tool heads or just one?
RE: What is the proper procedure for changing filament when the spool runs out?
2 heads
Yesterdays new firmware release includes a change to the filament-change procedure so any reply today is unlikely to be accurate - until a couple of spools run out your guess is a good as mine.
Is it supposed to push the filament out of the tube at the point you load it from the spool so you can pull it out? What can I do to make this functionality work properly?
However, it reads as if you may, at some point, have disabled the side filament sensors (lcd menu) and reinstating might be all you need.
Cheerio,
RE: What is the proper procedure for changing filament when the spool runs out?
To add further to Diem's final remark, it sounds as though the filament "runnout" is being detected by the print head filament sensor, not the side sensor. If properly functioning (and enabled) the side filament sensor will halt the print and when the filament is retracted for removal only a small (~1 cm) length of filament will extend from the PTFE tube on the spool side of the sensor. The short length is due to the small distance available in the Nextruder to push the filament before it is disengaged from the extruder gears.
The side sensors on the XL are designed different from the Core One but there are many posts on the Core One forum regarding issues with "stuck" side filament sensors resulting is problems similar to what you describe. I would begin by performing a filament sensor calibration to ensure that the sensor is working (after you've confirmed that it is even turned on in the configuration 🙂 ). You can see the status of the filament sensors in the "info" page (IIRC) of the printer.
Regards,
Steve
RE: What is the proper procedure for changing filament when the spool runs out?
To add further to Diem's final remark, it sounds as though the filament "runnout" is being detected by the print head filament sensor, not the side sensor. If properly functioning (and enabled) the side filament sensor will halt the print and when the filament is retracted for removal only a small (~1 cm) length of filament will extend from the PTFE tube on the spool side of the sensor. The short length is due to the small distance available in the Nextruder to push the filament before it is disengaged from the extruder gears.
The side sensors on the XL are designed different from the Core One but there are many posts on the Core One forum regarding issues with "stuck" side filament sensors resulting is problems similar to what you describe. I would begin by performing a filament sensor calibration to ensure that the sensor is working (after you've confirmed that it is even turned on in the configuration 🙂 ). You can see the status of the filament sensors in the "info" page (IIRC) of the printer.
Regards,
Steve
Sorry if I didn't explain clearly. It's being detected by the side sensor, but when I push the button on the LCD to unload the filament, it doesn't push anything out. It would still have to push the filament out about 2-3 inches for me to be able to grab it from the side, but it doesn't even do that. It just does nothing. Some gears spin, and it stays stuck in the tube without budging.