Rotor: Filament Encoder (modified)

thingiverse

# Encoder: Filament Rotor (modified) This is a remix of ***random-builder's*** **outstanding** design [Encoder: Filament Rotor (thing:2515750)] (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2515750). I ran into several issues during my build and ended up with the below modifications. There were not any radical changes so the instructions and BOM in [Encoder: Filament Rotor (thing:2515750)] (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2515750) can be used almost as is for this remix. ### Smoothiware settings I found the following to work reliably for me: **filament_detector.seconds_per_check 30 ** **filament_detector.pulses_per_mm 1.06** You may be able to cut back on the 30 seconds. I never did make sense of how these settings and M407 interacted. ### Additional components needed: - M3 x10 flat head bolt - M5 – M8 washer - 50k 1/8W resistor (optional) ### Modifications **ARM** - Moved the spring pocket to maximize the force applied to the gear. This gave about 4.2 X more force. - The idler bearing was dragging on the wheel. Changed to a M3 flat head bolt to keep the bearing off the wheel. A M5 (or M8) washer is used to keep the outer race of the bearing from dragging on the arm. A flat head bolt is used because the bevel automatically centers the bearing. **Case** - Moved the spring pocket to maximize the force applied to the gear. - Widened the hole in the case for the connector. This allowed use of a different connector. **Tube** - added a rib in the narrow section to make it harder to break the guide during installation. The lower part of the rib indicates the shorter side of the tube. **Tube ends** – added smooth entrance/exit version for those not using Bowden tubes. **HC-02K** – added a 50K resistor to minimize “extra” transitions. A logic analyzer showed oscillations on the leading and trailing edges of the pulse. This modification may not be needed as Smoothieware seems to ignore them. **Rotor** – most filaments are transparent to the wavelength of the emitter used in the HC-02K. Spray metallic paint onto the rotor if needed.