[ArduinoNmore] took an fascinating strategy to coming up with a counter intended to accurately display screen how many meters of filament a 3D printer has used. The Filamentmeter looks a minor little bit like a 3D printed handheld tally counter (or lap counter) but in its place of a button to advance every digit, the readout represents how quite a few meters of filament have absent through the extruder.
At very first glance it may perhaps glimpse like there is a motor concealed inside, or that the unit is somehow sensing the filament instantly. But it is basically the motion of the extruder motor that drives the system. A small spur gear attached to the printer’s extruder drives a collection of gears that progress the digits. This implies that retractions — little reverses of the extruder motor all through printing — are adequately accounted for in the complete, which is a great touch.
[ArduinoNmore] developed this for the Ender 3, and the Filamentmeter depends on a unique extruder structure and orientation to do the job properly. Of study course, because it is 3D printed, modifying the style for your have uses should be rather uncomplicated.
Curious? The style is remaining offered for a couple bucks, and there is a no cost examination piece one particular can print and use to verify whether the structure will do the job in advance of mashing the get button. Non-free of charge printable 3D types can be a earth of buyer beware, but exam pieces and good documentation are very good means to give potential buyers confidence in your function.
The insides of the device are truly really intricate, with a clockwork-style elegance to them. You can see it all in the quick movie, embedded beneath.
