Filament Length Counter For Multiple Prints With One Roll Of Filament

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Bratensoe made the excellent point in the comments that the measurements work out to being around 1.5 times what the reader says, using his example, this will mean that if you were to pull out 10 metres of filament according to the reader, you will actually have around 15 metres. The quickest way to work out what you need to pull through to get the length you need is to divide the desired length by 1.5. For example, if I want 6m of filament I would pull through 6÷1.5=4m according to the readout.

Thanks again to Bratensoe for bringing this to my attention! 

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Ever wanted to get a model with multiple parts done as quick as possible but only one spool of filament yet multiple printers? I get it, I've been there. 

So I've been looking for ways to measure out the required lengths of filament so I could use multiple printers to get the parts out quicker. I sure as hell wasn't going to spring for more rolls of the same filament as the parts I usually print aren't massive.

I did notice people have designed counters for their extruders to count how much filament they have used through their printer, but it wasn't quite what I was after. then I found some fishing line counters and figured this would be the quickest path to what I'm after!

These counters come in both digital and analogue versions, I would probably recommend the digital counter like: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005387052903.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.21ef18023haO1A 

However for this particular file I ordered this one to try the method out: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005142325731.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.81.35b31802P8wRMD

No idea on my thought process for that :/ but nonetheless, I managed to print a wheel sleeve to suite the analogue one and have since ordered the digital one and will try it out when it gets here. They do appear to be pretty much the same, but we shall see.

It is super early days with this project, I just wanted to get it out there to help anyone else out that has the same issue as I did with printing on multiple machines with one spool of filament.

also, try to be nice, this is my first project on here :)

Please note:

Brittle filament will struggle with the counter, you need as much surface area as possible on the wheel to help with grip and accurate readings, and feeding the filament into the 2nd guard may cause the filament to snap.