Quad-sensor filament guide

thingiverse

This accessory expertly manages up to two filaments 1.75mm from rolls into extruders. It has been specifically engineered for Makerbot/CTC-clone (extruder-steppers in printing head), but can be easily adapted for use without or with small adjustments in any FDM-printer. PTFE-tubes OD/ID=6/4mm are utilized as guiding sleeves to ensure smooth filament flow. Micro-switches detect mechanical filament breaks or tangled rolls by sensing the strain on the guiding tube. When failures are detected, a buzzer sounds, indicating the issue until both filaments are properly seated in the guide's channels and the guiding tubes are not compressed by inlaid filament. Early warning systems provide sufficient time for recovering correct filament feeding without interrupting the print process. Detailed electronic parts, wiring diagrams, printing settings, and assembly instructions can be found in the attached XLS file.