Filament runout process mid-print doesn't retract the filament enough to grab it from the spool side.
Have noticed that if I run out of filament mid-print, I need to remove the top PTFE tube in order to remove the remaining filament in the bowden tube, or else push the new filament all the way through to the extruder. My PTFE tub extends about 2cm or so past the handle, I don't recall being able to push it up any further. Is there a setting to adjust how much retraction is provided to make this easier?
Here's a link to a video here to illustrate: https://youtube.com/shorts/rJxh4JHjf6I
Ironically this example actually retracted enough to grab, where previous tries hadn't. So I wonder if the most recent firmware update addressed this. Any insight from the community here?
RE: Filament runout process mid-print doesn't retract the filament enough to grab it from the spool side.
I do find that that can be a definite problem… I have gotten used to opening the side of the extruder and pushing the filament back up to have enough room to grab it.
RE: Filament runout process mid-print doesn't retract the filament enough to grab it from the spool side.
I’ve had this happen the last couple times when running out of filament, with the end being just out of reach in the tube. So i cut the last cm off the external tube. Now to run out again to see if that was enough.
RE: Filament runout process mid-print doesn't retract the filament enough to grab it from the spool side.
I wonder if perhaps your side filament sensor is "sticky" and not always immediately reacting to the filament having passed through the sensor. I would assume that given the length of filament that is "downstream" of the extruder gear there is not much margin for error. If the filament traveled even just an additional centimeter before the sensor reacted this would likely be the result.
Several people on the forums have reported issues with "stuck" sensors due to the design of the sensor arm. It seems as though the magnet in the sensor arm may bind/rub against the housing if it is not inserted properly into the arm. Everyone that has had the problem (that I read about) the sensor was distinctly not detecting the lack of filament at all but maybe you're the lucky one that gets your own private failure mode 🙂 !
You may want to test the sensor response by repeatedly inserting and removing the filament from the side sensor while monitoring the status on the screen and see if it is reliably reacting to the filament being removed.
Food for thought,
Steve
RE: Filament runout process mid-print doesn't retract the filament enough to grab it from the spool side.
Thanks, this is a helpful insight. I'll look into this further. I do remember the ball gate being a challenge to assemble properly.
RE: Filament runout process mid-print doesn't retract the filament enough to grab it from the spool side.
There is a somewhat common tolerance problem where the little lever inside the sensor moves fine while the sensor housing is open, but then gets stuck (or sticky) when the lid is put on: The little magnet inside the lever is a bit wider than the lever itself. If its sticks out too far on the lid side, it can interfere with the lid.
Best to check the sensor behavior via the LCD menu first, since removing and reattaching the side panel and sensor is a bit fiddly.