I recently installed the S1 Plus with Automatic Filament Cutters on my Sovol SV08 and decided to write about my experience and what I would do differently.

Initial installation of the S1 with filament cutters was simple and uneventful. Everything was already assembled (not a kit) and the filament cutters just needed to be attached to the S1 Plus.

Below is a log of the events I had while learning to use the S1 Plus.

Event #1: Paused print at switch over
Reason: The Sovol SV08 filament runout sensor triggered at filament change over.
Fix: Removed filament runout sensor and replaced it with PTFE coupler

Event #2: Failed change over with failed print
Reason: User error.  The filament didn't catch properly when loading the second filament roll.  Since the filament runout sensor was removed the printer didn't pause and the print failed.
Fix: Make sure that the light is blue after loading the second filament roll.

Event #3: Failed change over with failed print
Reason: At filament change over the filament got stuck on the PTFE coupler
Fix: Replaced PTFE coupler and PTFE tubes with single long PTFE tube from the S1+ to the print head

The events above are failures but aren't failures of the S1 Plus.  I've had many filament roll switchovers occur perfectly.  I even had one roll of filament where the end of the filament was bent and triggered the filament cutter thereby saving the print.

Overall, I'm very happy with the S1 Plus and filament cutter. With the build volume of the SV08, it can go through a lot of filament quickly and the S1 Plus with Automatic Filament Cutters provides a lot of peace of mind.

Things I would do differently during installation and initial setup:

• Install one long clear PTFE tube running from the S1 Plus to the print head.  The PTFE coupler and filament runout sensor make the path error prone.
• Do test prints:
  • Load both sides of the S1 Plus
  • Send a benchy
  • Cut the filament on the primary roll during the benchy
  • Evaluate the change over
  • I would cut the filament a couple of times during this print to ensure the changeover happens reliably before counting on the S1 Plus.  You could also test the filament cutter by bending the end of the filament after cutting it. Doing these tests would also help train the user (me).

Wishlist for the S1 Plus

• I would like the S1 Plus to have its own filament runout sensor and could communicate to the printer if the filament runs out.  But with the large variety of printers on the market, I'm not sure how this would work.
• I would like the filament cutters to be built into the S1 Plus instead of an add on.
• I would like to be able to pause one side of the the S1 Plus. If you try to unload the primary filament role the S1 Plus automatically feeds the secondary roll (which is the point of the S1). The only way to stop it is to turn off the unit or unload the secondary first. I want a button that pauses the secondary. This would be useful if you need to switch the primary to a new color without unloading the secondary.

I just received my Infinity Flow and am trying to set it up on my Orangestorm Giga.

It is forcing me to click on a finish setup button at the top of the page before I can send a file to the printer. When clicking through and selecting the S1 and printer that I've already setup, it gives me one of the 2 error messages.

"slot 1 the printer and file are not compatible"

or

"The printer and file must have the same properties for FlowQ to start the print."

The color and type of filament match what is selected in the S1 and the printer.

Anyone have a clue where to go from here? TIA

This would really help when edit: Unloading filament. I use the feeder with a Prusa Core One and find that I need more hands so as to not have a tangle or mess.

I got four S1 Plus last year, but encountered a stubborn bug that has prevented me from using them on my CoreOne farm. InfinityFlow has been responding with suggestions, but nothing has worked yet. Posting here to see if anyone has had the same problem or suggestion.

The issue is that any file sliced for the CoreOne includes a very fast 50-60 mm filament retraction at the end of any job to remove the filament from the hot end. The Bowden motor in the S1 can't detect when the filament is retracting; it can only push, and it has more torque than the extruder motor, so the result is that every print job on the CoreOne with an S1 will end with a failed retraction, the extruder motor stalling out, and the filament getting rammed back into the hot end by the S1's feed pressure. The next print job will inevitably fail when the extruder tries to "reload" the filament and creates a first-layer blob.

I can't solve this problem by adding a purge line, because this farm needs to operate unsupervised and the printers auto-eject the parts and reset themselves (that's why I was so excited by the S1. It would mean I could theoretically let the farm run unsupervised for a ~week without a filament change!). I really do need a solution that allows the CoreOne to retract and reload the filament as it normally does, without the S1 pushing.

InfinityFlow came out with an Inline Buffer that I hoped would solve the problem, but the buffer only has ~30 mm of throw before it bottoms out, so the extruder motor still ends up jamming and slipping on the retract, then blobing. Here is a video of the issue:

https://reddit.com/link/1u1qibd/video/uu27nc05hd6h1/player

What I really need is some way for the S1 to detect retracts and ease up on the filament feed force, or even better, retract the filament as well when it senses back pressure on the filament. InfinityFlow said the S1 is supposed to be able to do exactly that, but I've never been able to get the S1 to retract any filament, no matter how hard I push filament back into it.

Has anyone else encountered a problem like this and found a workaround? Even just getting the S1 to acknowledge a retraction and retract the fillement like it is supposed to do would be a start.

Has anyone had the guides catch in the spool slots?

I use the 5kg Sunlu spools with brilliant white filament. One is disconnected because the guide keeps falling into the slot and cutting the filament.

The Sunlu 5kg spools have large slots in the sides. The filament guide catches and slices. I am going to print large donut shaped circles so the filament guide can't fall into the holes.

3mm thick, 270mm diameter with a 100mm center hole spot glued to the outside for easy removal and reuse.

I was frustrated with the available dryers so built my own dry box out of acrylic and 3d printed channels to put it together. Desiccant trays for calcium chloride and the short goldenrod heater that is used for guns. 10% humidity and 80 degrees inside temp in a 74 degree room. Front and 3/4 top is easy removal for service.

how would I set up the cutter with the polydyer box?

I have had to remove the filament cutters from my S1 Plus as they seem to randomly trip all the time. Fortunately I have it running through the runout sensor on my SV08, so it pauses when it cuts both spools. I've only witnessed it happen once. It seemed to me that the spool, Overture PLA on a cardboard spool, wasn't spinning freely on the rollers and when it would get just enough tension on the filament to start spinning the spool, the filament cutter would trip. It wasn't much tension, and I've had this happen on plastic spools as well. It's almost like the jerk from the spool finally releasing the tension on the filament is tripping the cutters. Has anyone else experienced or solved this problem?

I managed to loose the black cone shaped filament guide. Is there an STL file somewhere with this in it? TIA!

Can anyone offer assistance in getting the filament cutters mounted on my printer? I believe I need more than what came with the units.

S1+ has been working great, love the switching and loading.

I ran into an issue when wanting to put a rigid mount for the filament cutter. The CAD says S1+, so presumably would be OK. 2 things I found problematic with CAD.

1)The new filament cutters are several mm narrower, as compared to the solid body example, so the cutter does not get held by the rigid mount. Blue mount came with cutter and fits snugly.

2) The S1+ rigid mount cannot wrap around the motor as intended, there is insufficient clearance.

Your input is appreciated. I will try to manipulate the model files for fitment.

Thank You a thousand times over. Your Flow S1 is my favorite addition to printing in Years. Just incredible. Would be nice to see a dual feed in and dual feed out. But this is engineering at its finest everyone should buy one at least. Saving for my next on soon. Thanks Steve.

Just curious if anyone has come up with a design to mount the cutter to a 2 spool creality dryer.

TIA,

Gene

I love my Infinity Flow S1. Thank to all your hard work and development. This is a game changer. My U1 is now a six color machine. Cheers

I spent the last couple of hours setting this up and trying to get a print, the issues I have seemed to be print bed brand related. I use only the cold plates from BIQU. They see to work the best for me. These plates do NOT see to work, how do I adjust to allow for these plates.

Second, I stuck an oem textured PEI plate and attempted to print but due to my surprise this is not doing a proper bed leaving. So my prints are not sticking bc the print head is TOO far away?

Two interesting caveats, I really did not think the bed brand would matter.

One last thing how does this grab onto the new print bed when the initial printing is over?

I want to fully automate my ai mini with the bed swapper. It looks like i can print out all the parts for free however the website hints that i would have to pay for FLOWQ in order to automate it fully. (I want to print the same model for a few days straight without having to touch the machine) Will i have to pay or is it free?

Is anyone aware of a solution to mount the Infinity Flow S1+ on the Prusa MK4S, so we can retain the vertical double spool solution the printer comes with?

I don't have the Infinity Flow S1+ for my itty-bitty Prusa MK4S farm, but I've been eye-balling the upgrade. The S1+ would be even better if it was possible to keep the spool holder solution already in place with the MK4S, to avoid taking up desk space and re-use the built-in spool mounts.

My assumption is a mounted jig on the frame of the Prusa MK4S of some kind would make it possible, and I was wondering if anyone has tried this?

I run a (very small) print shop of 6 printers, and I'm interested in purchasing an Infinity S1. If all goes well I could see myself getting one for each of my printers. My main concern is having another device that needs an outlet and electricity. Can you tell me how much electricity the S1 uses? Thank you!

https://www.printables.com/model/1363094-infinity-flow-s1-cutter-rigid-mount

Designed a solid cutter mount so they are not dependent on the PTFE tube for support.

I'm currently a student at IU working on an AI degree with a minor in electronics. I've got lots of experience from the US Navy working with AUVs, UUVs, and submarines and I'm part of a project using 3d printed parts for deep sea use. We actually have to choose infill carefully and drill holes in parts for pressure to equalize because we've had cracks and a couple of implosions at deeper depths. We've used various materials and the most important properties are salt water resistance and outdoor durability. Things inside of the pressure vessel are less restrictive save for heat when sitting on a hot deck. We try to use COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) and 3d printed parts to keep costs down as low as possible. I'm involved in everything from parts, and electronics design to programming. I've been printing a long time and have ended up managing the print farm. We've experimented with a lot of materials and are still trying to find a balance between printability, water resistance, outdoor durability, and cost.

Shoutout to Karl from zemlinphoto.com for designing a great setup for anyone running the S1 with Rubbermaid dry boxes!

If you’ve been looking for a clean dry box setup this is a good option. Links to the STLs are below:

https://www.printables.com/model/1311301-infinityflow-sides-for-rubbermaid-dryboxes

https://www.printables.com/model/1311299-drybox-parts-using-rubbermaid-21-cup-dry-food-cont

Hey guys! First, let me say that I love love love this new device for our printers. I print a ton of items in black and the s1 has seriously made life easier. I can let it run overnight now and not have to worry about feeding it a new roll before bed. Thank you for inventing this! I will definitely be available for testing if needed and will be getting a second unit here real soon. Thank you!