X-In/1-Out Non-Mixing Extruder Config

jjarosz · March 24, 2022, 12:59am

The following configuration is an example of an X-In/1-Out Hot-End such as:

Or a multi-in splitter such as:
2-in/1-Out: G1/8 "Y-piece" 1.75mm dual extusion upgrade (prometheus system) ( 1/8PT ) by SilasPfeifer - Thingiverse
4-in/1-Out: 4 in 1 out multi filament upgrade M5 by SilasPfeifer - Thingiverse

This configuration works with the following Klipper Version/Builds:
v0.10.0-312
v0.10.0-320
v0.10.0-333
v0.10.0-368
v0.10.0-377
v0.11.0-5
v0.11.0-6
v0.11.0-14
v0.11.0-30
v0.11.0-41
v0.11.0-173

For reference, the following configuration is a single v6 style hot-end and 2 extruder/steppers; BMG is the primary and a self-designed 4:1 ratio belted extruder is a secondary.
.

Klipper printer.cfg
Setup the [extruder] object with one stepper just as you would with a single stepper extruder:

Reference: Configuration reference - Klipper documentation

[extruder]  
step_pin: PC1
dir_pin: PC3
enable_pin: !PC7
microsteps: 16
rotation_distance: 22.024
full_steps_per_rotation: 200
gear_ratio: 50:17
nozzle_diameter: 0.400
filament_diameter: 1.750

The remaining configuration of the [extruder] module was not included here in order to save space.

Next, configure [extruder_stepper] objects, one per additional stepper.

Note that “extruder1”, “extruder2”, etc. are reserved for the [extruder] object.
Reference: Configuration reference - Klipper documentation

[extruder_stepper belted_extruder]
extruder: 
step_pin = PA4
dir_pin = PA6
enable_pin = !PA2
microsteps: 16
rotation_distance: 22.5
full_steps_per_rotation: 200
gear_ratio: 4:1

At this point, the printer has 2 steppers configured; one to one Hot End and one is not attached to any Hot End. There needs to be some gcode macro’s to un-sync and switch active steppers.

Here we will configure two macros making T0 = stepper on the [extruder] object and T1 the stepper on the [extruder_stepper] object. This will allow only one active stepper during extrude operations.

[gcode_macro T0]
gcode:
    # Deactivate stepper in my_extruder_stepper
    SYNC_EXTRUDER_MOTION EXTRUDER=belted_extruder MOTION_QUEUE=
    # Activate stepper in extruder
    SYNC_EXTRUDER_MOTION EXTRUDER=extruder MOTION_QUEUE=extruder

[gcode_macro T1]
gcode:
    SYNC_EXTRUDER_MOTION EXTRUDER=extruder MOTION_QUEUE=
    # Activate stepper in my_extruder_stepper
    SYNC_EXTRUDER_MOTION EXTRUDER=belted_extruder MOTION_QUEUE=extruder

Note: EXTRUDER is the stepper while MOTION_QUEUE is the hot-end

Next, remap the built-in ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER gcode macro so it can be used in your slicer:

[gcode_macro ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER]
description: Replaces built-in macro for a X-in, 1-out extruder configuration SuperSlicer fix
rename_existing: ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER_BASE
gcode:
    {% if 'EXTRUDER' in params %}
      {% set ext = params.EXTRUDER|default(EXTRUDER) %}
      {% if ext == "extruder"%}
        {action_respond_info("Switching to extruder.")}
        T0
      {% elif ext == "belted_extruder" %}
        {action_respond_info("Switching to belted_extruder.")}
        T1
      {% else %}
        {action_respond_info("EXTRUDER value being passed.")}
        ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER_BASE EXTRUDER={ext}
      {% endif %}
    {% endif %}

Finally, create a delayed gcode macro to set make one stepper active upon Klipper startup:

[delayed_gcode activate_default_extruder]
initial_duration: 1
gcode:
    ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER EXTRUDER=extruder

.

Printer Settings - SuperSlicer/PrusaSlicer/Slic3r

Note: As of the initial write-up of this document, I have not implemented tool-changing in a single print for either multi-color printing or multi-material printing (PETG print/PLA supports). This thread will be expanded to cover that in the future.

Printer Settings → General - Set the number of Extruders configured in Klipper and tick the Single Extruder Multi Material check-box

image728×376 20.1 KB
Printer Settings → Extruder 1 - modify the Tool name to be “extruder”, or the first stepper you have configured.

image770×196 16.2 KB
Printer Settings → Extruder 2 - modify the Tool name to match the [extruder_stepper] object configured in Klipper. In this image, it’s set to “belted_extruder”

image754×195 15.1 KB
Printer Settings → Custom G-code - Add in custom gcode to switch extruder stepper and pressure advance.

image743×255 11.5 KB

[tool_name] is linked to Printer Settings → Extruder1/2 values modified earlier

Note: starting about Klipper version v0.10.0-312, and additional PA option was added; EXTRUDER, which allows PA to be used on [extruder_stepper] objects and it must be included when using SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE.

ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER EXTRUDER=[tool_name]
SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE ADVANCE=0 EXTRUDER=[tool_name]

I have this set at the top of the created gcode to make sure a tool is set. I also do not apply pressure advance at this point in printing.

Filament Settings - > Custom G-Code - Here, enter in custom code for PA and Tool on a per-filament basis

; Filament gcode
; PLA PA
{if tool_name == "belted_extruder"}
SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE ADVANCE=0.4176 SMOOTH_TIME=0.040 EXTRUDER=[tool_name]
{endif}

You can add additional ‘if’ loops once you know the PA value for all your steppers, if they are not the same. If all your extruders are the same type/design, then you do no need an ‘if’ statement.

At this point, all the basics are supplied in order to start printing and switch extruders.

Klipper - TUNING_TOWER command -
To perform a PA test using the TUNING_TOWER command is slightly different. Just as with the SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE command, a EXTRUDER needed to be specified to apply PA to, the same needs to be set in the TUNING_TOWER command:

TUNING_TOWER COMMAND="SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE [EXTRUDER=<config_name>]" PARAMETER=<name> START=<value> FACTOR=<value>

Basically, putting SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE [EXTRUDER=<config_name>] between double quotes so the COMMAND will be passed as one value.

Example using belted_extruder: TUNING_TOWER COMMAND="SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE EXTRUDER=belted_extruder" PARAMETER=ADVANCE START=0 FACTOR=.020
.

Final Thoughts

Klipper has options/features that you can achieve the same thing different ways. This is just one way that works. If you have suggestions, recommendations, or Tool Change G-Code suggestions, please post them below.

I will do my best to keep a basic working example updated though future Klipper updates.

Slicer Setup:

Please reference this post for how to setup SuperSlicer/Prusa Slicer/Slic3r: X-In/1-Out Non-Mixing Extruder - Automate SuperSlicer Filament Swaps

koconnor · March 25, 2022, 12:01am

Thanks.

FYI, it might be better to initially create the extruder_stepper object without assigning it to the extruder motion queue:

[extruder_stepper belted_extruder]
extruder:
step_pin = PA4
...

-Kevin

Maturity · March 27, 2022, 1:05am

Interesting approach, I was running the same hotend with just extruder and extruder1 defined. This was with extruder1 sharing the heater of extruder (shared_heater: extruder) and it just worked with Cura without the T0, T1 macros. Is there any advantage to doing it your way?

jjarosz · March 27, 2022, 1:07am

I was running similar as you, but the “shared_heater” option is being or is deprecated, so you will eventually need to migrate to this config, or something similar.

jjarosz · March 27, 2022, 1:13am

20220210: The SYNC_STEPPER_TO_EXTRUDER command is deprecated; the SET_EXTRUDER_STEP_DISTANCE command is deprecated; the extruder shared_heater config option is deprecated. These features will be removed in the near future. Replace SET_EXTRUDER_STEP_DISTANCE with SET_EXTRUDER_ROTATION_DISTANCE . Replace SYNC_STEPPER_TO_EXTRUDER with SYNC_EXTRUDER_MOTION . Replace extruder config sections using shared_heater with extruder_stepperconfig sections and update any activation macros to use SYNC_EXTRUDER_MOTION.

https://www.klipper3d.org/Config_Reference.html#extruder

Maturity · March 27, 2022, 3:34am

Good to know. In my more recent incantation I was using duplicate pins and defining heart and thermo for multiple extruders and that seemed to work fine too. Though I would like to find the time to go back to the mixing extruder and see if I could come up with a solution for that. I guess I need to read the current docs and understand where things are now

triki · March 28, 2022, 7:04pm

Thanks for posting your work, this is much appreciated! With your instructions I was able to get this working on my custom setup.

phongshader · May 11, 2022, 10:52pm

Thank you for the work. I have run into a problem, klipper changes to T1/extruderI with no problem but switching back to T0/extruder I get this error Unable to infer active extruder stepper I’ve added

{if tool_name == "extruderI"}
SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE ADVANCE=0.8 SMOOTH_TIME=0.040 EXTRUDER=[tool_name]
{endif}

to the filament custom gcode (superslicer) which works fine for the 1st tool change to [extruder_stepper extruderI] however on the change back to [extruder] I get Unable to infer active extruder stepper I’ve tried changing the gcode to

{if tool_name == "extruder"}
SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE ADVANCE=0.88 SMOOTH_TIME=0.040 EXTRUDER=[tool_name]
{endif}
{if tool_name == "extruderI"}
SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE ADVANCE=0.88 SMOOTH_TIME=0.040 EXTR
UDER=[tool_name]
{endif}

This returns the same error

phongshader · May 13, 2022, 4:32pm

This didn’t work, terminal output

08:50:09
Unable to infer active extruder stepper
08:47:51
pressure_advance: 0.880000
pressure_advance_smooth_time: 0.040000
08:47:51
Extruder stepper now syncing with 'extruder'
08:47:51
Extruder stepper now syncing with ''
08:47:51
Switching to extruderI.
08:47:45
pressure_advance: 0.000000
pressure_advance_smooth_time: 0.040000
08:44:53
pressure_advance: 0.800000
pressure_advance_smooth_time: 0.040000
08:43:53
Retries: 1/20 Probed points range: 0.001591 tolerance: 0.005000

printer.cfg

[extruder]
max_extrude_cross_section: 50.0
max_extrude_only_distance: 1010.0
step_pin: PG12
dir_pin: !PG11
enable_pin: !PG13
microsteps: 16
rotation_distance: 7.64
nozzle_diameter: 0.600
filament_diameter: 1.750
heater_pin: PB1 # Heat0
sensor_pin:  PC1 # T0 Header
sensor_type: EPCOS 100K B57560G104F
min_temp: 0
max_temp: 290

[extruder_stepper extruderI]
extruder: extruder
step_pin: PD6
dir_pin: !PD5
enable_pin: !PD7
microsteps: 16
rotation_distance: 7.64

[gcode_macro ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER]
description: Replaces built-in macro for a X-in, 1-out extruder configuration SuperSlicer fix
rename_existing: ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER_BASE
gcode:
    {% if 'EXTRUDER' in params %}
      {% set ext = params.EXTRUDER|default(EXTRUDER) %}
      {% if ext == "extruder"%}
        {action_respond_info("Switching to extruder.")}
        T0
      {% elif ext == "extruderI" %}
        {action_respond_info("Switching to extruderI.")}
        T1
      {% else %}
        {action_respond_info("EXTRUDER value being passed.")}
        ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER_BASE EXTRUDER={ext}
      {% endif %}
    {% endif %}

[delayed_gcode activate_default_extruder]
initial_duration: 1
gcode:
    ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER EXTRUDER=extruder

SuperSlicer filament settings
pla1

; Filament gcode
; PLA PA
SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE ADVANCE=0.8 SMOOTH_TIME=0.040 EXTRUDER=[tool_name]

pla2

; Filament gcode
; PLA PA
SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE ADVANCE=0.88 SMOOTH_TIME=0.040 EXTRUDER=[tool_name]

both extruders are identical

phongshader · May 16, 2022, 11:29pm

It turns out the problem is in SuperSlicer. SS is adding a line in the gcode SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE ADVANCE=0 but doesn’t specify which extruder which throws an error. Now I just have to figure out how to get SS to add this line instead SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE ADVANCE=0 EXTRUDER=<tool name>

jjarosz · May 17, 2022, 12:56pm

Check what you have for each Filament → Custom G-Code as well as Printer Settings → Custom C-Code for anything that has Pressure Advance.

jjarosz · May 17, 2022, 1:02pm

I can no longer edit the original post, so here is an updated list of Klipper versions:

This configuration works with the following Klipper Version/Builds:
v0.10.0-312
v0.10.0-320
v0.10.0-333
v0.10.0-368
v0.10.0-377

moo00se · May 27, 2022, 8:14pm

First off, THANK YOU! You have gotten me quite fair along. However i am still running into the “Unable to infer active extruder stepper” error.

log

Sineos · May 28, 2022, 8:39am

You are setting PA without explicitly defining the extruder.
Check every place, e.g. startup gcode, macros, filament switch gcodes etc., and make sure to use:

SET_PRESSURE_ADVANCE ADVANCE=... EXTRUDER=[tool_name]

where [tool_name] needs to be the name of your then active extruder and ... your desired PA value.

moo00se · July 12, 2022, 10:16pm

I have this all set up, although SuperSlicer, keeps adding set PA to 0 during the tool-change unload. Klipper throws an error when this happens. It seems to be associated with the wipe tower. If I discard the wipe tower, SS does not try to adjust the PA. Any experience with this?

jjarosz · July 13, 2022, 12:43pm

Check your tool change custom gcode to see if you have any PA settings there. If you do, adjust as necessary

moo00se · July 22, 2022, 7:58pm

nothing in toolchange.

is my klipper, config, klippy.log, and gcode.

I continue to run into errors. I have started with brand new configs and programs but still run into the “unable to infer active extruder”.

spbrhs07 · October 14, 2022, 3:50pm

I’m using Klipper v0.10.0-584. Trying to use both extruders in the same print but when one extruder is done for the print, it turns off the heater.

millerbrad91 · October 17, 2022, 2:03am

I’m having the exact same issue using klipper v0.10.0-608-g638303b3. Did you find a solution for this?

spbrhs07 · October 17, 2022, 3:01pm

I did! After weeks of headaches and trial and error, I found the problem in my gcode! I slice with Cura and found that it likes to stick in an M104 S0. In the tutorial above, they use SuperSlicer. There is a setting in SuperSlicer for “Single Extruder Multi Material”. I assume that by checking this box it prevents the M104 from being issued mid print. There doesn’t appear to be a way to prevent it within Cura and I haven’t found a way to tell Klipper to ignore it, so I deal with it by implementing a post processing script to find and delete any instance of M104 S0.

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X-In/1-Out Non-Mixing Extruder Config

Slicer Setup:

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