Titan Extruder Multiplier on Wipe Tower
Hello Everyone,
I have an MK3s, but recently I bought a ZoneStar Z9V5 Pro. This printer will mix 4 filaments out of the same nozzle, without the need to retract one filament before starting another. So far, the printer itself works well with Cura software. But I want to use this with PrusaSlicer 2.4 to take advantage of the brush painting feature.
PrusaSlicer does not have a profile for this printer, so I am left to add a custom profile and enter the settings. So far as I can tell, I have everything up and running correctly except for the Extrusion Multiplier setting specifically as it applies to the Wipe Tower. So the ZoneStar printer has 4 titan extruders with a 5 to 1 gear ratio. I have entered 5 for the Extrusion Multiplier under the Filament Settings, even though a warning told me that this should be closer 0.9 to 1.1. I assume they want it close to 1.0 for a direct drive extruder. It appears that with this set at 5 it is extruding properly.
When I do a multi color print, I need to use the Wipe Tower. The Wipe Tower is really under-extruding. And it looks like it might be extruding 20% of what it is supposed to. The tower seems to be whispy by the time the ruined print is complete.
I attempted adding the following G-Code to the "Color Change G-Code" section under Printer Settings, "M231 S500" which is supposed to set the extruder flow to 500%. I placed this before and after the "M600" code already there, but I'm sure this is where it becomes clear I don't have any idea what I am doing.
Any ideas? Thanks
RE: Titan Extruder Multiplier on Wipe Tower
you should not need to set the extrusion multiplier to 5...
that is asking for problems elsewhere
your printer should automatically print the correct number of extruder steps per millimetre.
If you need to make the printer make 5 times as many steps per millimetre this should be adjusted in firmware either by editing the firmware and re flashing the controller, or by instructing the firmware to increase the number of 'E' steps per millimetre
so...
if you do need to change the E steps.
consider this process
https://all3dp.com/2/extruder-calibration-6-easy-steps-2/
M600 is normally the command for changing the filament on a printer with one extruder and one nozzle. and this typically moves the nozzle to a safe place, then withdraws the filament from nozzle and unloads it, then the printer asks if the filament has unloaded properly, and If you answer yes, then the printer instructs you to change filaments and load the new filament, then it typically purges the mixed old and new filament and then asks you to confirm that the filament is 'Clear' Meaning ... has the filament changed to the new filament and is the new filament extruding successfully.
If you answer yes, the printer normally continues back to the print and completes the model.
It is possible that 'Zone Star' have changed the procedure that M600 invokes. as I don't have a ZoneStar, I wouldn't know
I have not re programmed Prusa SLicer for a 4 into 1 extruder like the zonestar uses.
Hopefully someone else can help
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: Titan Extruder Multiplier on Wipe Tower
You do not use the extrusion multiplier like that. My MK3 is modified to use a geared extruder a Bunny and Bear which has 3.5:1 ratio.
All those settings are done at the printer firmware side. You set your e-steps for the new gear ratio and when you have them correct you use M500 to save to eeprom. They are NOT done in the slicer.
Basically when you command the printer to extrude 100mm of filament it should feed exactly 100mm of filament through. Which is where setting the esteps comes in. With your 5:1 ratio it is probably feeding in 20mm and so you are having to artificaially set the Extrusion multiplier high to 5x. That is why its messing up. Your new geared extruder might even have suitable values to plug in as a start to get you in the ball park but you should set them properly for your exact printer. Use the instruction from here (or similar) https://mattshub.com/blogs/blog/extruder-calibration
Configure the hardware properly and you wont have to do anything other than minor tweaks in the slicer if any at all.
RE: Titan Extruder Multiplier on Wipe Tower
Thank you both for the quick and well written responses. You guys were right and it worked! I have tackled this from the firmware, not the software, and everything started working.