Filament Run-out and Back-up Drives

Run-out detection can be used in almost any of Palette’s modes. This includes calibrated multi-color, pattern, random, and gradient modes. However, the functionality is slightly different in multi-spool mode. In Palette’s settings, there is a preference for run-out which changes what Palette does when a spool ends. The three options are: Splice to Next Drive, Clear Outgoing, and Off.

• Splice to Next Drive

With this selected, Palette will automatically move to a backup drive if one is specified. If not, in Connected mode, the CANVAS Hub will pause your print and wait until the drive is reloaded with new filament. In Accessory mode, your printer will not know to stop, so the Palette will default to ‘Clear Outgoing’.

• Clear Outgoing

If a filament runs-out, Palette will clear the splicer. The print will likely not have enough filament to finish, so this should be only be used in cases where the print is useful if partially complete.

• Off

Setting the run-out preference to ‘Off’ will tell the Palette to ignore run-out completely. Even if the end of a spool is detected, Palette will continue trying to splice and not end the print job.

One of Palette’s features that is harder to find, but very useful, is ‘Backup drives’. If you’re looking to run a long multi-color print but worried a spool might run-out, a backup drive is exactly what you need. If your print has one or more of the inputs free, you can load it with a fresh spool as a backup for the one running low. When the first spool ends, Palette will automatically switch to the new one.

There are two ways to set a backup drive - while loading filaments at the beginning of a print, or anytime once the print is already running:

1. To set a backup drive at the beginning of a print, wait until Palette instructs you to load filament. Just before loading the spool that requires a backup drive, tap on the “blue spool” in the bottom-right corner. This will allow you to choose one of the free inputs as a backup.

2. Alternatively, ‘Change filament’ during a print can be used to specify a backup drive. When choosing an input to change, select one that is empty and is in sequential order (ex. using drives 3 and 4 if you're selecting a backup drive for 1 and 2). Next, Palette will prompt you to specify which input this will be a backup for.

• To maximize the reliability of run-out, we recommend using filaments that have clean ends where they attach to the spool. If possible, trim the end so they are square, and not pinched or bent. This helps prevent blockages or jams in Palette.

• If you expect a filament input will run out, you may need to set your print speeds slower than usual. This gives Palette the opportunity to detect the end of the spool and splice on a new filament. Alternatively, consider using “Speed control during splices” with a Canvas Hub connection - this will selectively decrease print speed.
• It is important to use the same material for any drive that will run out or need to be changed. Palette will continue to use the same splice settings as the material that was first loaded.
• You will see that run out leaves a little extra material after a filament swap occurs. By doing this, Palette is able to cleanly cut the filament and improve splice reliability. Make sure to unload any of this leftover filament before loading new filament.