Automated Filament Changer (AFC) Klipper Add-on

This Klipper plugin is for use on the Box Turtle Filament Changer. The Box Turtle is currently in an open beta. More information can be found here

Installation

To install this plugin, you should have the following pre-requisites installed:

1. Klipper
2. Moonraker
3. WebUI (Mainsail or Fluidd)

To install this plugin, you can use the following commands from the users home directory:

cd ~
git clone https://github.com/ArmoredTurtle/AFC-Klipper-Add-On.git
cd AFC-Klipper-Add-On
./install-afc.sh

Configuration (Automated)

The install-afc.sh script will automatically install the majority of the plugin for you.

Prior to starting Klipper, please review the configuration located at ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC_Hardware.cfg and ensure all pins are correct for your specific hardware.

Additionally, review the following files for any changes that may be required:

1. ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC.cfg
2. ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC_Macro_Vars.cfg

Review information in mandatory configuration changes section

Installation & Configuration (Manual)

To manually install and configure the plugin, you can use the following commands:

cd ~
git clone https://github.com/ArmoredTurtle/AFC-Klipper-Add-On.git
cd AFC-Klipper-Add-On
ln -sf ~/AFC-Klipper-Add-On/extras/*.py ~/klipper/klippy/extras/
mkdir -p ~/printer_data/config/AFC
cp -R ~/AFC-Klipper-Add-On/config/* ~/printer_data/config/AFC/

Next, please copy the appropriate AFC_Hardware.cfg template file from ~/AFC-Klipper-Add-On/templates to ~/printer_data/config/AFC and modify the file to match your hardware configuration. Ensure you rename the file properly based on the selected board type to AFC_Hardware.cfg.

Finally, review and update the following files as needed for your configuration.

1. ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC.cfg
2. ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC_Macro_Vars.cfg
3. ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC_Hardware.cfg

Buffer configuration - Manual

If you are using a buffer such as the Turtleneck, Turtleneck v2 or Annex Belay, and you installed the software manually, you may need to make a couple of additional changes.

You should add the following block to your AFC_Hardware.cfg file based on the type of buffer you are using.

NOTE The pin value should be set to the pin that the buffer is connected to on your board.

Turtleneck

[AFC_buffer TN]
advance_pin:     # set advance pin
trailing_pin:    # set trailing pin
multiplier_high: 1.05   # default 1.05, factor to feed more filament
multiplier_low:  0.95   # default 0.95, factor to feed less filament
velocity: 100

Turtleneck v2

[AFC_buffer TN2]
advance_pin: !turtleneck:ADVANCE
trailing_pin: !turtleneck:TRAILING
multiplier_high: 1.05   # default 1.05, factor to feed more filament
multiplier_low:  0.95   # default 0.95, factor to feed less filament
led_index: Buffer_Indicator:1
velocity: 100

[AFC_led Buffer_Indicator]
pin: turtleneck:RGB
chain_count: 1
color_order: GRBW
initial_RED: 0.0
initial_GREEN: 0.0
initial_BLUE: 0.0
initial_WHITE: 0.0

Annex Belay

[AFC_buffer Belay]
pin: mcu:BUFFER
distance: 12
velocity: 1000
accel: 1000

Finally, add Buffer_Name: <TYPE> to your AFC.cfg file. For example, if you are using the Turtleneck v2, you would add the following line:

Buffer_Name: TN2

Additional information about the buffer configuration and operation can be found in the AFC_buffer.md file.

Usage

Usage instructions for the install-afc.sh script can be shown by running:

~/AFC-Klipper-Add-On/install-afc.sh -h

Mandatory Configuration Changes (All)

Prior to operation, the following checks / updates MUST be made to your system:

1. Update the following values in the ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC.cfg file:

   • tool_stn: This value is the length from your toolhead sensor to nozzle
   • tool_stn_unload: This value is the amount to unload from extruder when doing a filament change.
   • afc_bowden_length: This value is the length from your hub to your toolhead sensor

2. Verify that pin_tool_start is set to the correct pin for your toolhead sensor. If you are using an existing filament sensor as your toolhead sensor make sure you comment out the filament sensor section in your printer.cfg file.

3. If you are using any of the built-in macros, the variables in the ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC_Macro_Vars.cfg file must also be modified to match your configuration for your system.

   Required variables to verify and update if necessary for the following default macros

   • tool_cut:
     • variable_retract_length
     • variable_cut_direction
     • variable_pin_loc_xy
     • variable_pin_park_dist
     • variable_cut_move_dist
   • park:
     • variable_park_loc_xy
   • poop:
     • variable_purge_loc_xy
   • kick:
     • variable_kick_start_loc
     • variable_kick_direction
   • wipe
     • variable_brush_loc
     • variable_y_brush
   • form_tip Variables to update for tip forming are in ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC.cfg
     • cooling_tube_position
     • cooling_tube_length

4. If you would like to use your own macro instead of the provided macros, make sure to update the command with your custom macro in ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC.cfg
   ex. If using custom park macro, change park_cmd from AFC_PARK to your macro name

Failure to update these values can result in damage to your system

Optional Configuration Changes

If you use a Turtleneck v2, you can enable the buffer indicator LED by adding the following lines to your AFC.cfg file:

led_buffer_advancing: 0,0,1,0
led_buffer_trailing: 0,1,0,0
led_buffer_disable: 0,0,0,0.25

If using a hub that is not located in the box turtle the following value needs to be updated for each stepper

• dist_hub: This value the the length between the lanes extruder and the hub, this does not have to be exact and is better to figure the length and then minus about 40mm

If using snappy hub cutter update the following values:

• cut: change to True
• cut_dist: update to the value that you would like to cut off the end, this may take some tuning to get right

Calibration

The function CALIBRATE_AFC can be called in the console to calibrate distances.
distances will be calibrated to have ~1 short move after the move distance

Definitions

• dist_hub for each lane is the distance from the load switch at the extruder to the hub
• afc_bowden_length is the distance from the hub to the toolhead sensor

Usage

CALIBRATE_AFC LANES=<lane> DISTANCE=<distance> TOLERANCE=<tolerance> BOWDEN=<lane>
DISTANCE and TOLERANCE are optional. default distance 25mm, default tolerance 5mm

• To calibrate all lanes and the bowden length all at once:
  • CALIBRATE_AFC LANES=all BOWDEN=<lane> input which lane to be used to check afc_bowden_length
• To calibrate individual lanes
  • CALIBRATE_AFC LANES=<lane> input the lane you would like to calibrate
• To calibrate just the bowden length:
  • CALIBRATE_AFC BOWDEN=<lane> input which lane to be used to check afc_bowden_length

If using a hub different than the stock set up hub_clear_move_dis under AFC unit may need to be increased/decreased to match your setup, default 50mm.
All values must be updated in AFC_Hardware.cfg after calibration

Troubleshooting

Debug information about the respooler system can be found by visiting the following URL in your browser:

{ip address}/printer/objects/query?AFC

LEDs not displaying correct color

If your leds are not displaying the correct color update the following value under your AFC_led section in ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC_hardware.cfg file.

• color_order: change to match the color order for you leds. Different color orders are: RGB, RGBW, GRB, GRBW

Filament pulling past extruder during unloads

During unloads if your filament retracts too much and goes past the lanes extruder then decrease your afc_bowden_length value in ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC.cfg file

Timer too close (TTC) error

If you keep getting TTC errors start by adding the following to AFC/AFC.cfg file under [AFC] section

• trsync_update: True

Layer shift when using cut macro

If you notice a layer shift occurs while using the cut macro, setting a higher stepper current while cutting has shown to help with this. Update and uncomment the following values in AFC/AFC_Macr_Vars.cfg file

• variable_cut_current_stepper_x - start with ~1.7-1.8A
• variable_cut_current_stepper_y - start with ~1.7-1.8A
• Only needed if cutting action is along the z - variable_cut_current_stepper_z

Make sure your stepper names are updated for variables: variable_cut_current_stepper_x, variable_cut_current_stepper_y, variable_cut_current_stepper_z

Removing Plugin

To remove the plugin, you can use the following commands:

cd ~/AFC-Klipper-Add-On
./install-afc.sh -u

Support

Armored Turtle Configuration / Build Manuals here