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Filament sensor (MK4, MK3.9, XL)

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Relevant for:
XLMK4MK3.9
Last updated 7 months ago
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The filament sensor equipped on the Original Prusa MK4, Original Prusa MK3.9, and each tool of Original Prusa XL detects the presence of a filament and filament run-out. The sensor is a Hall sensor, triggered by a mechanism composed of a spring, a magnet, and a ball. 

Check assembly

If your printer is a kit, you have received a package with magnets for the assembly. Note that two magnets are sent, but one is meant to be used in the assembly, and the other is a spare. If your filament sensor does not work, check if two magnets have not been added by accident.

How to clean the filament sensor

During usage, filament residue might build up around the sensor or its mechanism, possibly causing false readings and thus malfunctioning.

1) Compressed air

At the top of the extruder is a small hole, insert the tip of a compressed air can in the hole. With your free hand, prepare a bit of filament with a non-stringy tip. Repeatedly insert and remove the filament from the extruder, while blowing the compressed air. This will dislodge the build-up debris.

Top view of the MK4 print head. The XL print head has a similarly positioned small hole. 

2) Filament tip insertion

In case you don't have compressed air at hand, a similar procedure to the one above can be attempted.

Prepare a bit of filament with a non-stringy tip. Repeatedly insert and remove the filament from the extruder. It will be necessary to insert and remove the bit of filament several times to achieve good cleaning, and the technique might not always be effective. 

3) Removing the sensor (MK4, MK3.9)

The following procedure is NOT recommended on Original Prusa XL. If you are experiencing issues with the tool filament sensor readings, and the previous methods did not work, please contact our technical support, and we will guide you through the procedure in more detail. 
Ensure to have the PG-assembly-adapter before continuing with the following procedure. If you do not have it, you can print it using the below files, depending on the printer you will use: 
PG-assembly-adapter printed with MK4
PG-assembly-adapter printed with MK3/S/+

If the previous techniques do not work, the filament sensor can be removed to be manually cleaned. This procedure requires partial disassembly of the E-axis. 

  1. Unload the filament, then wait for the printer to fully cool down. After that, turn the printer off.
  2. Remove the PG-case, together with the PG-ring, gearbox, and main plate. Remove all of these parts in one piece.
  1. Remove the Prusa-ball-holder using pliers.

  1. Carefully remove the ball-magnet-spring combo from the Prusa-ball-holder and clean any debris out of it. Clean also the slot on the heatsink.
  1. Reassemble the Prusa-ball-holder in the following order: steel ball, magnet, and spring.

  1. Reassemble the block with PG-case, PG-ring, gearbox, and main plate.
In case the disassembled parts in step 6 are not in one block, refer to steps 7-15 of the Nextruder assembly guide, part of the MK4 kit assembly guide. 
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