How to use multiple tools plus designated direct drive
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I was wondering, I have 7 motors for 7 different tools. I was using these 7 tools as Bowden drive. However, I want to use a direct drive motor and the 7 tools. How do I get the main direct drive motor to be configured as always on no matter what tool motor I am using? Attached is my current config.
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So you mean all tools will use the same extruder drive?
I think when you define the tools with M563 you would just use the same D# for your direct drive extruder motor.
But maybe I'm mistaking what you're asking.
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@phaedrux Tools use separate drivers, T0 - T6. But I want to have direct drive as well. So the 7 tools feed the direct drive via a kind of bowden style. So no matter what tool is being used, I need the direct drive motor to always be in use. I have attached my config just in case.
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@jered I am just going through a similar thing as you, using a bowden extruder to feed a direct drive extruder, here is a copy of my config hope it helps
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Oh I see what you mean, the bowden extruders will feel the direct drive extruder?
Then it would be as jumpedwithbothfeet shows in his config for the tool setup. Each tool would have a combination of the two drives, the direct drive, and the bowden.
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Sounds good. I will have a look at this when I get a chance. Thanks
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Ok, I have edited my config to what I think will work. Would you guys mind having a look?
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Yes that seems right. Have you tested the extruder movement yet?
The esteps will need to be very accurate to keep them moving the same amount.
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I have not tested it yet as I have not yet selected a direct drive hotend. Maybe you have an idea of what a good choice for this would be. Currently, I am just running my machine bowden style with a non metal hotend. When I make the move to an all metal hotend, I know I will need a direct drive to help pull the filament out of the nozzle.
I will be careful to tune the motors to work together.
Below is a link to one of my vids on youtube so you can see what I am doing.
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@jered There is one more thing you need to do in config.g and that is set the mixing ratio for each tool using M567 and you need to set it to 1:1. - i.e use M567 Pn E1.00:1.00 (where n is the tool number).
At least I'm almost certain you need to but it depends what the default behaviour is. I think it would default to being a 2 in 1 out hot end so without any M567 command, I think it will use 50% of each extruder so the sum of the two would equal the specified feed rate in any G1 En command. For your push-pull arrangement you need to use 100% of both extruders.
Regardless of what the default behaviour might be, using M567 Pn 1.00:1.00 would be my advice - just in case there is a change to the default behaviour at some time in the future.
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@deckingman Good point. I assumed the default was 1:1. Best not to assume.
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@phaedrux said in How to use multiple tools plus designated direct drive:
@deckingman Good point. I assumed the default was 1:1. Best not to assume.
As you say, best not to assume. But on the basis that 2 in 1 out hot ends are more common than push-pull, and on the basis that 0.5:0.5 would be safer in terms of potential to strip filament, then my money would go on that as the default.
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I see,
I will add the mixing ratio to each tool. 1:1 is what I need. -
I think I've got this added correctly.
