Filament runout detection

Finally got around to build something to deal with running out of filament when printing from Octoprint (not direct from SD card) on my Ender 3 Pro.

I created this bracket to use with the following switches: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MFRMFS6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I connected the two outer most connections to my raspberry pi as you can see in the pickture.

The housing for the pi is: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081N3V6BH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Connect it to physical pins of the pi (4B) as shown in the picture.

The wire guide STL is a nice to have if you want to guide the wire to the side of the frame.

I use the filament sensor reloaded plugin for Octoprint and have included a screenshot for the settings for the plugin.

You will also have to tell Octoprint what to do when a print is paused (for you to change filament):

{% if pause_position.x is not none %}

; relative XYZE

G91

M83

; Lower extruder temp

M104 180

; retract filament, move Z slightly upwards

G1 Z+5 E-5 F4500

; absolute XYZE

M82

G90

; move to a safe rest position

(use X0 and Y0 depending on your printer)

G1 X220 Y220

{% endif %}

And what to do when resuming a print:

{% if pause_position.x is not none %}

; relative extruder

M83

; prime nozzle

G1 E-5 F4500

G1 E5 F4500

G1 E5 F4500

; absolute E

M82

; absolute XYZ

G90

; reset E

G92 E{{ pause_position.e }}

; move back to pause position XYZ

G1 X{{ pause_position.x }} Y{{ pause_position.y }} Z{{ pause_position.z }} F4500

; reset to feed rate before pause if available

{% if pause_position.f is not none %}G1 F{{ pause_position.f }}{% endif %}

{% endif %}

You configure these settings in the GCODE Scripts section of the Octoprint settings.

It all works like a charm as can be seen from the example picture where I switch from black to grey filament. Seamless.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Creality

Printer:

Rafts:

No

Supports:

Resolution:

0.2

Infill:

Filament: eSun PLA+ Black

Notes:

Category: 3D Printing