A new filament accessory could save many failed 3D prints.
The problem being solved by the Automatic Filament Cutter from InfinityFlow is one that most FFF 3D printer operators will have encountered: a filament tangle.
Filament tangles occur when the end of the filament somehow slips underneath another curl, creating a knot. This typically happens when spools are handled without securing the end of the filament: it flops around and sometimes ends up underneath another curl of the filament.
The insidious nature of this problem is that it is not only hard to see with your eyes, but also because it doesn’t actually cause any problems until later. There is always some slack in the spool, and this is slowly taken up as your print proceeds. Then, perhaps hours later when you have convinced yourself that the print job is running perfectly, the knot will tighten.
Then the 3D printer is choked for material, as no forward movement of the filament happens. It is not a “filament out” situation, because a non-moving filament is still in the filament path. This usually means your device will “air print”, and the job fails.
Some more advanced recent 3D printers include features to ensure that the filament is moving, but many devices still do not have that feature.
For them, the solution is the Automatic Filament Cutter.
This is a small device that attaches along the filament path. Normally the filament passes through the Automatic Filament Cutter without issue. However, when a knot is encountered, there is tension on the filament path. This tension is mechanically detected and used to power a cutter. The filament is automatically cut when a knot is detected.
This immediately relieves the tension and the print continues. However, this time the new end of filament is then detected by the 3D printer’s filament-out sensor, and the job is properly paused and the operator alerted. The operator can then reload the spool and resume the job.
Amazingly, this all happens quickly. The instant tension is encountered, the filament is cut, so there shouldn’t be any problem with the print job at all.
InfinityFlow provides a switch on the Automatic Filament Cutter for two different tension settings. I imagine there are some spool setups where this may be necessary.
InfinityFlow sells these cutters for only US$50, and I suspect that might be worth the investment for those printing frequently or printing large objects.
Note that you may want one of these ingenious accessories for each filament path in your system.
Via InfinityFlow
