So I just hit a dilemma where I’ve run out of filament with the print 98% completed (I know) and I don’t have another spool of the same stuff, but what I do have is a few half meter strands of it that I’m pretty sure would be enough to finish the job.
The problem is the printer is expecting a new spool in the AMS (which I don’t have) and the strands I have aren’t long enough to feed through. So what I’m trying to do is put a different spool in the AMS, feed it through, then I’ve opened the PTFE connector at the back of the printer and I’m trying to trick the printer into taking the strands I’ve got through there but it isn’t working.
Does anyone know where the filament sensors are and how I could trick this into finishing the print? Be a shame to waste it.
I appreciate you reading my post fully, yeah it is a bit annoying. I mean they could also enable 5 colour prints if they added the ability to manually switch to the spool holder. Maybe that’s why they don’t…
There is a thread here somewhere where someone posted a link to a filament splicer. I think it was made by Sunlu but don’t remember for certain. And it’s of no help to you now, but there is at least one splicer out there where you can put little short bits on longer strands or a full spool if needed.
They have a 5-colour choice for you, you only need another AMS.
When you get that second AMS, they also have a 9-colour choice for you, you only need another AMS.
When you get that third AMS, they also have a 13-colour choice for you, you only need another AMS.
Are you suggesting a plan here?
Five colour-mixed prints would work well with the external spool as there is no automated way to push the external filament into the printer for every affected layer
But, yeah, I would like the ability to run out to the external spool, if only for emergencies as you are experiencing or when there isn’t a need to mix colours.
There are many good reasons to allow it, but I’m not sure of the technical limitations if all involved understand a human must push the external filament in before it is used.
Sounds like this is a feature request for you to make.
Why couldn’t you leave the empty roll in the AMS, then manually feed the new filament(in the AMS feeder that holds the empty roll)? I’d think it’d read the empty roll ID and just roll with it.
Every 3D YouTube channel seems to have been sent one for review.
This made a lot more sense before the AMS.
Except of course for this very specific reason.
A lighter and some PTFE tube might do it in a pinch. Cut at an angle of 45º so they have more surface area to touch and the PTFE for structure, it will not melt before the filament fuses.
Wow! This is actually tempting. I’ve always thought about this as a solution even with my old printers but never knew someone had made a tool! I was thinking of trying to use my blowtorch to do it, but knew it would probably make a mess. Cheers for the link
The only use I could see for this (if you have an AMS) is to create your own color changing filament. It would be work to splice it together the way you wanted but the results could be pretty cool if done correctly
