Feature Request? Filament Color Indicator
It would be great if I could some way set the currently loaded filament color so when I open Prusa Connect and I can tell what color filament is in each of my four machines. Maybe it's already there and I just haven't been able to find it.
None of the hardware has any way of detecting what filament is in each extruder ...
Unless you are printing a run of the same small part you will be unloading, changing and loading different filaments each time - even if they are the same filament/colour it's usually wise to swap for a freshly dried spool, so you will be updating the value constantly - it will be quicker to either point a webcam at the spools, take snap with your phone or make a note on a scrap of paper.
Cheerio,
RE: Feature Request? Filament Color Indicator
Thank you for the reply. I understand there is no hardware solution. I was just looking for a way to manually update the status screen so I could see what color was loaded in each machine as they are in a different room from my workstation. Your point about changing filaments is well taken.
RE: Feature Request? Filament Color Indicator
Automatically recognizing the color, type and possibly other parameters of the inserted filament is not a bad idea at all. Although I also don't know of any HW that would be able to recognize it, but there are RFID chips. Placing them on the spool would solve the problem. And if the manufacturer would take up this idea .... But it could also be done in "home conditions".
RE: Feature Request? Filament Color Indicator
bearing in mind that there are many filament manufacturers in many different countries, it is unlikely that there could be any single standard that would provide the integrated data reference to filament type, parameters and colour via RFID, for all manufacturers.
I Understand that Prusa already include an RFID Chip and Barcode, on every roll of Prusament that they produce,
Perhaps you could start off be proposing a system that could read and integrate this information on printers, allowing for close proximity reading in MMU3 and XL5 tool installations as well as single filament printers as a starting point.
I believe Ultimaker already have a system for their printers / filament rolls and have invited other manufacturers to adopt it.
XYZ tried to invoke a lock in, on their Davinci printers, which led to users finding ways to bypass the system so that they could use non XYZ filament
Bambu also 'Chip' their filament... I Am not aware of their intent to invite other filament manufacturers to adopt their solution
I look forward to your expansion on the idea.
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: Feature Request? Filament Color Indicator
Thank you to those of you who have replied. I wanted to clarify I am not looking for an RFID solution or any automatic sensing for the reasons you have mentioned and more. I'm asking for the ability to MANUALLY go into Prusa Connect and edit the icon that shows what type of filament is loaded so I can manually enter what color filament is currently loaded.