Laser filament monitor

brunofporto · 26 Sept 2018, 15:10

@robobobob https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Duet3dFilamentMonitor_RotatingMagnetVersion

robobobob · 26 Sept 2018, 15:44

@brunofporto I had seen they had made something similar, though I also saw earlier in the post that it was susceptible to dust, and I presumed this was to do with the sensor. Surely monitoring voltage output by a motor would be simpler? I have no clue whether there is any way of reading a dc voltage input however. I simply had this idea because I was looking at anemometers for the raspberry pi, and saw one that worked in this same way. As far as I can recall, a motor's rpm has a linear relationship with voltage put in. Presumably the inverse is true for the voltage output, with the rpm put in.

brunofporto · 26 Sept 2018, 16:47

@robobobob The issue is not the type of signal, IMO, but the mechanical reading of the movement itself.

Filaments can slip the wheel, the reading may vary based to the spring compression of the reading wheel relative to the hardness of the material, the mechanical sensor adds drag that can influence the reading, etc.. Also the casing design, quality of bearings, type of hob wheel, etc may vary if the end clients are the builders of the mechanical part of the system. And it will be much more expensive if they sell the bundle.

Optical movement sensors are widely used ( i.e. your mouse) even in industry to feedback motion. They are cheap and precise enough. And they do the job without touching the material (at least the sensor ) So they are very good candidates for this job.

With enough data from the beta testers they can fine tune the sensor for a wide range of materials and learn the behavior of the sensor to fine tune it.

peirof · 26 Sept 2018, 17:40

hi,

sorry but i have not read all post, its a long post...

One question

The filament monitor. Detect when run out of filament only? or too detect when filament, for a jam, not its extruded?

thanks

Phaedrux · 27 Sept 2018, 03:34

@peirof Yes it will detect a jam and under extrusion as well I believe.

p.tyers · 29 Sept 2018, 23:47

From the list it looks as though testing is proceeding well.
Is there an estimated date for commercial release yet?
Alternatively is there any chance of getting a beta version?

pkos · 10 Oct 2018, 07:42

I'm also interested in either buying it or signing up for beta testing.
Got loads of black PLA, got a functioning printer with duet wifi 1.04 (and just started ordering parts for a HEVO). Am slowly learning OpenSCAD and can program arduinos (home automation fully based on printed PCBs of my design and arduino on them). Not in the UK, but would gladly pay for shipping.

stewwy · 28 Oct 2018, 15:27

I'm also interested in beta testing if it's still possible.
I print mainly in PETG grey,black and transparent red, and in PLA violet( more like pink) wood and black.

I'm mainly a chemist , with just enough electrical/mechanical knowledge to be dangerous

T3P3Tony · 28 Oct 2018, 15:46

@stewwy they are now available for sale :
https://www.duet3d.com/laserfilamentmonitor

stewwy · 28 Oct 2018, 15:52

Thanks, now I know what I'm getting for my birthday in a couple of weeks

BlueDust · 28 Oct 2018, 18:43

Now that the laser filament monitor is for sale, does that mean you guys were able to resolve all of the open concerns?
Saying that, from the last list I read, it's not enough to make me not buy it. I am just wondering how beta the product still is, or if this is now the finished product.

Thanks!

T3P3Tony · 29 Oct 2018, 00:12

@bluedust it works variably with different filaments, that is a function of the laser sensor itself.

It's definitely worth reading the testing thread:
https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/6092/laser-filament-monitor-test-results/

I have had it work well enough with all the types I have tested it with but others have had very bed results with PETG for example.

siblues · 29 Oct 2018, 02:45

I hope they get it straightened out since I am very interested in purchasing one myself.i also am in the process of switching over to the Duet WiFi and PETG.

gavatron3000 · 29 Oct 2018, 06:42

@T3P3Tony I know this is off topic but will the magnetic version of filament sensor be available shortly?

T3P3Tony · 29 Oct 2018, 08:59

@siblues it's not really something that will be completely solved for all filament types due to their physical properties.

@gavatron3000 is is progressing but slowly due to multiple redesigns due to housing and mechanical parts refinement.

siblues · 29 Oct 2018, 22:13

Well I meant well enough to be ready to sell to the public.I would be interested in either sensor.

dc42 · 30 Oct 2018, 13:43

Here's another idea for the laser filament monitor housing. Why not angle the filament path so that the filament passes at a closer height above the laser than it does above the image sensor? if the angle is chosen carefully, more of the laser light should be reflected into the image sensor. This should be detectable as a decrease in the reported shutter value.

go · 1 Feb 2019, 07:22

Hello,

I am testing laser filament sensor. Is it possible to translate its current pos into millimeters while not printing? Or is it possible to query mm data also while not printing?

Sample response while not printing in reply-to: M591 D#
Duet3D laser filament monitor on input 4, disabled, allow 43% to 115%, check every 3.0mm, current pos -8.6, brightness 87, shutter 15, no calibration data

Thanks,

dc42 · 1 Feb 2019, 07:54

The "current pos" is in mm but it wraps around, between -10.24mm and +10.24mm AFAIR.

MrPsyco · 14 Feb 2019, 20:13

Hi

I installed the laser filament sensor and everything seems to be working. I only have the problem that the printer does not pause when there is no filament left. I have written the M591 D0 P5 C3 R40:120 E3.0 directly to the configuration file so that it will be activated when the printer starts. what am I doing wrong? or have I missed something?

Thanks.