1 Topic by Obfuscated

  • Obfuscated
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Topic: Letting it run out of plastic to finish a session

I was just wondering if it was a good practice to let the Filastruder push as much of the remaining plastic through as you are finishing a session with it or just turn it off and then let it get good an warm before the next session?

I just got my Filastruder running and well just turning it off with a bore full of plastic and then warming it up later seems fine but wanted to see if there were any pointers on this.

2 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
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Re: Letting it run out of plastic to finish a session

It is optional. The only con is that any polymer left in the barrel will absorb moisture, which is a problem for PLA but not a problem for ABS.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

3 Reply by Obfuscated

  • Obfuscated
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Re: Letting it run out of plastic to finish a session

Has anybody thought of setting up a sensor to detect when the hopper is out pellets to alarm you to reload or maybe turn the filastruder off?

4 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
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Re: Letting it run out of plastic to finish a session

You could set one up, sure. Extrusionbot does it with a photosensor and a LED.

I prefer not to because I don't want people to leave it completely unattended for hours. I just put a tall hopper on it and check in on it every few hours, personally.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend