TAZ 6 Mechanical Filament Sensor

thingiverse

I've been doing a lot of overnight prints lately, and it's really frustrating when the filament runs out while the printer keeps going. Now that I'm using OctoPrint to control my printer, I can install plugins that detect when there's no more filament in the extruder. My printer is in an enclosure, but it's narrower from left to right, so I had to use a different reel holder - and that meant I couldn't use the existing filament sensors. Luckily, I have some lever switches lying around that I can repurpose. I designed a mount that attaches to the holes on top of the extruder body and feeds the filament through while keeping the switch closed. When the filament runs out, the switch opens, and using the Filament Sensor Reloaded plugin, my printer pauses, moves the print head, and waits for new filament to be inserted before resuming the print. The holes are supposed to be 2mm in diameter, but I used some 1.5mm copper rod to hold the switch in place and help hold the two halves together - it was a very tight fit. Since I printed it in ABS, I dripped some acetone along the seam, and the whole thing clamped while the two halves bonded. Print Settings: Printer Brand: LulzBot Printer: TAZ 6 Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.2mm Infill: 20%