Experimenting with the Development of an Unattended Filament Switcher: Challenges Encountered
In the pursuit of a viable automatic filament changer solution, Australian 3D printing enthusiast [LayerLab] has encountered several hurdles. One of the early attempts involved the Wisepro Auto Refill Filament Buffer, a feeder device designed to take filament from two spools. However, the Wisepro fell short, lacking a proper mounting solution for consumer printers and proving unreliable during filament changes.
Attempts to rework the Wisepro into a larger twin-spool rig offered some improvement, but the device remained prone to jams and malfunctions. [LayerLab]'s goal was to develop a system that would allow his printer to switch to a second spool of filament when the first one runs out, without damaging the print.
Fortunately, there are reliable automatic filament changer solutions for consumer 3D printers that address the issues faced by [LayerLab]. One such solution is the Snapmaker U1, a tool changer system that provides a four-tool head setup, allowing for four different materials or colors to be printed with minimal filament waste and fast tool switching.
The Snapmaker U1 stands out for its multiple independent hotends/nozzles, which almost eliminate filament purge waste and cross-contamination of colors/materials. The system's SnapSwap™ technology can change tool heads in just about five seconds, significantly speeding up the printing process. The U1 also uses RFID tagging on spools to automatically identify filament type and color, adding to its ease of use and reducing user intervention.
Moreover, the Snapmaker U1 utilizes advanced firmware and slicing software like Klipper and OrcaSlicer, improving printer control and usability, resolving issues related to earlier machine models. Compared to AMS-based filament changers, which suffer from high filament waste due to necessary purging during color/material switches, these multi-hotend tool changers are more efficient and consumer-friendly.
Other consumer 3D printers like the ANYCUBIC Kobra Neo offer advanced auto-leveling and extrusion improvements but are not primarily designed as multi-filament automatic changers. Nevertheless, the multi-hotend tool changers, exemplified by the Snapmaker U1, represent one of the most reliable and practical automatic filament changer solutions for consumer-level 3D printers, effectively reducing filament waste, speeding up multi-material prints, and addressing user complexity issues that [LayerLab]'s products have encountered.
Despite these advancements, the problem of automatic filament change remains unsolved for [LayerLab]. Initial attempts to use the "auto refill" features on the Bambu Labs AMS 2 resulted in filament changes in outside wall areas of a print, causing unsightly marks and poorer quality parts. [LayerLab] faced dissatisfaction with existing solutions for filament swap during printing, and the Wisepro's feeder motors triggered the filament snag cutters in [LayerLab]'s design. The Wisepro device routinely fed from the secondary spool when there was still primary filament available, causing jams. Additionally, the Wisepro device had bearings popping out the top of the housing. Filament sensors can help, but they have limitations.
As [LayerLab] continues its quest for a reliable automatic filament changer solution, the multi-hotend tool changers like the Snapmaker U1 offer a promising direction, addressing the issues of filament waste, speed, and complexity that have plagued previous attempts.
- To bypass the filament issues encountered with the Wisepro device, [LayerLab] could consider integrating advanced sensors with technology in their designs to better manage filament feed and avoid triggering snag cutters.
- In contrast to their past struggles, the multi-hotend tool changers, such as the Snapmaker U1, present a promising technology solution for [LayerLab], offering efficient filament management, faster printing, and reduced user complexity.
