alternative to original filament sensor?  

RE: alternative to original filament sensor?

I think you should be able to order it if you purchased a Mini from Prusa, maybe try chat support? I was planning to order one but didn't get round to it yet.

Haven't seen any specs or docs for it.

RE: alternative to original filament sensor?

I changed my mind and wanted to add a sensor to my order.. Just opened the chat, explained what I was after.. Paid via Pay Pal and the sensor has been added.. all good and nice and simple.

RE: alternative to original filament sensor?

You can find the schematic in the link below. If you can find the sensor and all the parts you can make it yourself since its open source. For me the most difficult part to find is the small metal ball inside.

https://github.com/prusa3d/MKxS-IR-sensor

Also you can find the stl files to print the housing in this link

https://github.com/prusa3d/Original-Prusa-MINI

There are also ready kits in 3rd party sellers.

I am currently waiting for the ptfe tube to complete mine.

RE: alternative to original filament sensor?

@geoper2

I havent found kits by 3rd party suppliers so I ordered the original one which is availiable again. After 12 days it seems to be on its way now.

RE: alternative to original filament sensor?

Actually the Prusa uses the same electrical parts as the mk3 - with following exeptions:

- In the sensor the Mini uses, both magets have the same size. On the mk3 one is longer.

- for the Mini sensor you need some m3 screws for the case

- the cable of the Prusa Mini has smaler diameter and 3 pin connector on both sides, while mk3 has a 5 pin connector on one side (other side same 3 pin connector as Mini)

In the Mini sensor, one 3-pin connector is put onto the optocoupler and the cable routed back unter the pcb to an output same side as the bowden. This is the reason for the thin cable.

So if you want to build your own sensor, this is quite easy: Buy a set for "new filament sensor for mk3s" on AliExpress - a bundle with two sets cost about 8€.

Print the stl for the sensor housing, but add two modifiers. One to bottom out the space for the not moving magnet (so you could insert the longer magnet, sticking out of the case a bit) and one on the side (to get the cable out there - it is to big to be routed unter the PCB). Modify the 5-pin connector (get out the contacts with a needle, cut down the plastic to 3-pin, insert the contacts accordingly to the pins on the PCB (red=Vcc, black=ground, white=signal))

So you can make the sensor yourself for about 4€ + some plastic parts. As it is compatible to most printers, is very reliable and adds only very low resistance to the filament path, I did make some of them for my chineese printers also. Works very well.

I also added an cable sleeve, but thats not technical issue, only improves look. You may simply drill the cables to get them bundled...

RE: alternative to original filament sensor?

@oliver-andre-u

If you have done it before, can you post an image of your completed sensor? I am thinking of making one myself.

RE: alternative to original filament sensor?

@dhruv-madan05

MINI-fsenzor-box.zip.amf

I had to zip the amf, as amf can not be attached directly. So unzip it before loading in Prusa slicer.

RE: alternative to original filament sensor?

Here is mine. I did it all with parts I could find except from the sensor which I ordered from TME here in Europe. I changed the stl file a bit in order to fit my PCB since its on perfboard. Works pretty good.