U1 Multi ACE Pro Integration, Stock Firmware, no Soldering

U1 Toolchanger
42

i don’t think Anycubic spools will solve that, i have all sorts of spools, none ot them is anycubic.

https://github.com/DnG-Crafts/U1-Ace/pulls

This is hakimios pull request bringing ACE 2 Support to DNG Crafts U1-ACE..
It’s only for one ACE, but if that works, it must be some installation quirk (Can’t imagine what that would be, but.. ) Make it an github issue and send me installtaion details, ace.cfg logs (described in the readme) and so on if you want..

43

OK, let me run some tests later first to try to confirm the cause.
I suspect it might be a hardware issue(or maybe some configuration ), because if I manually push the filament inward at the entry point, the feeding process returns to normal.

44

I did some testing, and I’m almost sure this is only related to the filament itself.

I removed the buffer, straightened the bowden underneath ace to reduce friction between the filament and the tube, disconnected the Ace from the U1, and then I insert the filament into the entry - It still got stuck. Also, all four entries behaved exactly the same way, and the filament got stuck at the same position.

I don’t have a measuring tool with sufficient precision, but I suspect this may be related to the filament diameter tolerance.:thinking:

I’m thinking maybe I should disassemble it further to see if there a possible way to fix this issue

45

I have a question: Are the files still prepared using the Snapmaker Orca program, or is there a different way to do it?

46

Depends on what you want to do, normal „preloaded" prints are just sent via slicer, layer swaps via insert gcode command too, automatic loading multicolor via export gcode, then upload in the webui, web preflight will pop up. Post Processing script isn’t needed anymore.

48

After testing, I swapped out 3 filaments in the ace that were prone to slipping, and since then it has been very stable. I printed a test file — 25 layers, 8 colors per layer, 100 swaps total — and completed it in one go without any issues.

Super awesome project!

49

but honestly the instability of the ace2pro is kinda annoying, because there’s really no way to know beforehand if a filament you just bought will run smoothly — you either have to measure it over and over with a micrometer or spend hours printing a test file. and if you specifically need a certain color, then find out that just won’t run stable, you’re stuck waiting for another shipping cycle, plus you can’t even return it since it’s already opened.

i’m planning to grab a few second-hand ace1pros to see if they have the same issue, and i also want to tear down the ace2pro and poke around for any potential fixes — like adjusting the clamp tightness or something…

50

Hi.. i am happy to hear that!

Hmm, my two never had that issue and i have fed them a wild mix from different manufacturers… Maybe ask ACE support?

51

yeah you are right

let me record some videos then send to them

52

maybe that is a difference between different production batches :smiling_face_with_tear: (just hope not)

53

Where your three spools all different manufacturers?

54

Is there any plan to integrate with something like Spoolman? It would be nice to be able to select from my list of available filaments when I am setting up the filaments in the ACE units. It is rather cumbersome to type all that info in for each spool and then choose a color.

Also, does MutliAce automatically handle filament runout? So if I have 2 blacks in there and one runs out it loads the other one and continues printing?

55

Yeah, lanbo, kexcelled, bambu
But the filaments that work normally for me are also from these brands…weird :pensive_face:

56

No exact, momentary plan, but a good chance depending how the project develops.. Use Rfid until then? Only the snapmaker runout handling atm, so its gotta be loaded on another head. But i planned to integrate these functions in an future release, like four-color-replenish or a combined function that can print all 16 spools in a row..

Both not a the moment and not planned for the next release.. It has been a lot work to get it from snapace to its momentary state in 2 months, now it has to mature first.. and i have to slow down a little..

57

Hello!
After observing and testing for a while, I think I roughly know why some filaments slipping >> I was drying at 60 degrees while printing.
PLA filament becomes very soft at this temperature, and the U1 applies a lot of pull on the filament during retraction. I think this caused the filament to undergo slight deformation.

My conclusion comes from the following observations:

  1. Two days ago, I didn’t use the dryer and printed the test file with 6PLA+2PETG, and after 100 swaps, everything was fine.
  2. Without changing any materials, I used the dryer yesterday, and after ~20 swaps, two of PLA started slipping.
  3. Today, I removed 20 meters from the two slipping filaments, then reprinted without using the dryer, and the slipping disappeared.
  4. PETG has never slipped from the beginning until now, which I think is because PETG can still maintain its hardness at 60 degrees.

I can’t 100% confirm this currently ,just a early idea ,I will continue do the tests and share the result with you.

58

Ok, thats an interisting observation, thank you very much for sharing..

59

I currently have an Ace Pro working with my Snapmaker. I want to buy another one to test 8-color printing. Would you recommend looking for the Ace Pro or the Ace Pro 2? Thanks in advance.

60

The Ace Pro 2 is more silent, has air vent, higher dry temps, doesn’t tangle spools so often.. Definitely the better macheine.. But here it 2x the price.. A lot of money to invest in a test, but hey, i bought 2 before i knew it works flawless…