<![CDATA[SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — I made a Filament Out alarm]]> https://www.soliforum.com/topic/13582/i-made-a-filament-out-alarm/ Tue, 02 Feb 2016 16:58:08 +0000 PunBB <![CDATA[Re: I made a Filament Out alarm]]> https://www.soliforum.com/post/115597/#p115597 Slick. If the smoke alarm had the relay in it (some do, some don't) could you use another pin to shut off the heaters and motors?

]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 16:58:08 +0000 https://www.soliforum.com/post/115597/#p115597 <![CDATA[Re: I made a Filament Out alarm]]> https://www.soliforum.com/post/115591/#p115591 You can connect the switch to an unused max endstop pin ( if you have one, or any other unused pin), and make some changes to Marlin to have the printer pause when the filament runs out.  It's spelled out in this thread-

http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?1,297350

]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 16:16:29 +0000 https://www.soliforum.com/post/115591/#p115591 <![CDATA[Re: I made a Filament Out alarm]]> https://www.soliforum.com/post/115587/#p115587 Clearly. Don't forget the toaster.

BTW, you might want to put  mini toggle switch on that Fil-Out to safe it while you change filament spools. The things we learn.

]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 15:50:11 +0000 https://www.soliforum.com/post/115587/#p115587 <![CDATA[Re: I made a Filament Out alarm]]> https://www.soliforum.com/post/115557/#p115557 This is the era of Internet of Things.  Clearly, the filament alarm also needs to send a text and flash the lights in the house.

]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2016 03:54:51 +0000 https://www.soliforum.com/post/115557/#p115557 <![CDATA[Re: I made a Filament Out alarm]]> https://www.soliforum.com/post/115463/#p115463 Note the Arm and Support files are slightly modified from stock so you do need all these parts.

]]> Mon, 01 Feb 2016 03:03:28 +0000 https://www.soliforum.com/post/115463/#p115463 <![CDATA[Re: I made a Filament Out alarm]]> https://www.soliforum.com/post/115458/#p115458 It won't let me post the STL files here. I'll try another thread.

]]> Mon, 01 Feb 2016 02:38:02 +0000 https://www.soliforum.com/post/115458/#p115458 <![CDATA[I made a Filament Out alarm]]> https://www.soliforum.com/post/115457/#p115457 $15 worth of parts. I'm going tip put this on Thingy Verse if no one finds fault with it.

Kent's Filament Out Alarm (Fil-Out?) Instructions

This switch trips a pretty loud alarm if your filament runs out, giving you a couple of minutes to Pause your print job and put on another spool. It is independent of your printer's electronics and powered by one 9V battery.

It builds upon the Lawsy (thank you) filament valve Thingy as a mounting system and to keep filament from backing up in the switch on filament Retracts.

You will need:

1- NTE 54-409 SPDT switch, available from Micro Center and several places online for about $5. There are several variations of the alarm, so look around. One includes a strobe light which flashes when the alarm goes off.

1 - mini SPST toggle switch for Alarm On-Off

1 - 9V Battery

2 - M3 x 15mm screws with nuts.

2- 22-Ga crimp style slip-on spade wire connectors (usually with the red plastic sleeve). These slip right onto the switch.

1 - 130db (or whatever) Personal Alarm (about $5-$10 online) the type which activates by pulling out the wrist strap.

You will solder two 22-gauge (or so) wires onto the Printed Circuit Board in the alarm unit to replace the personal alarm's wrist lanyard pin with your switch. It is pretty easy to see the two contact points for the wrist-strap activation pin on the back side of the PCB.

Soldering iron, wire crimper.

See the attached pics for a better ubderstanding of the instructions.

The switch mounts on the PC pipe (in this Download) that holds your filament spool. That leaves enough filament between the switch and your hot end to give you time to Pause the print job and put on a fresh spool of filament before your print job is ruined.
The alarm connects to the switch's On-Off mini toggle switch then to the COM and NC terminals of the lever switch via several inches of wire and can be stuck on your printer cabinet with Velcro or two-sided tape.

Once you have your parts and printed pieces, it only takes about ten minutes to make this Thing.

NOTES: On the switch, bend the thin metal arm down 90 degrees about 8MM from the end. This ensures it can't catch on the plastic housing or the filament.

Feed the wire terminals thru the square hole in the switch box before you connect them to the switch. Then, press the switch into the locating bosses and screw it down.

Print these parts at high infill for strength. I suggest ABS at 70% infill.

Feel free to make your own mount or a cap for the switchbox if you like. I figured it would be off more than on and it's really not needed.

You could also use the Normally Open (NO) switch contact to light a flashing LED or a relay to stop the printer motors or to text you a message telling you it's a bad idea to leave your printer unattended.  smile

]]> Mon, 01 Feb 2016 02:35:40 +0000 https://www.soliforum.com/post/115457/#p115457