IFS Filament Unit

IFS Filament Unit

The four-colour filament unit: four spools, one per slot.

The IFS is the four-colour filament unit for the AD5X. It holds four spools, one in each slot, and feeds the filament to the toolhead. Each slot works like a tool: when your slicer asks for tool 1, 2, 3 or 4, the printer switches to the matching slot.

What it does

• Four slots. Each slot holds one spool. Tool 0 to tool 3 in your slicer go to slots 1 to 4 by default.
• Changes colour during a print. When the print needs a different colour, the printer unloads the old filament, loads the new one, and purges the nozzle.
• Cuts the filament. The unit cuts the old filament before it swaps, so the loose end does not get in the way.
• Refills from a backup spool. If a slot runs out during a print, the printer can switch to another slot with the same material and a close colour. This is off by default. Turn it on in Settings, under Filament Auto-Refill.
• Feeds in a new spool. When you put a new spool in a slot, the printer can feed it in on its own, so the first load is quicker.
• Reconnects by itself. If the cable comes loose, the printer tries again every 10 seconds.

Tool map: which slot goes with which tool

The printer decides which slot each tool uses. There are two ways to set this on the touch screen, under Settings, then Filament Auto-Refill, then Tool to slot:

• Slot per file: each tool uses the slot your file asks for.
• Auto colour: the printer matches each tool to a loaded slot with the same material and the nearest colour.

Loading filament

In general: put the spool in its slot, make sure the spool turns freely, and let the printer feed the filament in. The home screen shows which slots have filament.

Unloading filament

1. Make sure the printer is not printing. Unloading is not allowed during a print.
2. On the home screen, press Unload. The printer pulls the filament back out of the toolhead.
3. If the printer cannot pull the filament out, it stops with an error and releases the slot. Pull the filament out of the toolhead by hand, then try again.

Swapping spools

To change a spool, swap the spool in its slot, then tell the printer which material and colour it now holds. Your slicer can also send this for you at the start of a print. The printer keeps the slot information after a restart.

When a swap fails

• If a swap fails or is stopped, the printer puts the toolhead sensor, the part fan and the settings back to how they were. The printer does not move the head into the part during a failed swap.
• If the printer will not change to a slot, check that the slot holds filament. A swap to an empty slot is stopped before anything is cut.

For connection problems with the unit, see Troubleshooting.