Faster Printing requiring Filament Buffer feeding

[NikosSprocket]

UPDATE:

Installed the LLL Plus buffer and just powered it with 12V and no connections to MCU yet.

Works great, taking the load from the extruder. I believe my printer can run now as fast as a 0.4 nozzle can melt filament!

Btw, I bought it from Mellow/AliExpress fully assembled!

The prints could be better quality (elephant foot, some gaps) but it is fully functional.

 

[NikosSprocket]

[NikosSprocket]

I just finished wiring the LLL Plus with endstops and that requires 6 wires to go from the LLL unit to the main MCU; pretty messy!

It's functioning good as a buffer/booster, and it does put printing to "pause" if runs out of filament. The Klipper cfg code for the 2nd part provided by Mellow is not good. Tomorrow I will try to debug it.

By the way, I have a really stupid question @ss1gohan13

Edited December 18, 2025 by NikosSprocket

[NikosSprocket]

Hi all!

The LLL Plus is installed and wired as per Mellow instructions ; too many wires for all these endstops!

Actually the power (24V) it is from my CPAP setup which is in proximity to the LLL Plus location.

If I understand correctly, if I use @ss1gohan13 setup, I will need only a USB cable to the Pi as another MCU and not all the endstop signal cables?

The "Basic Function" works great, and my prints are a lot more consistent. Actually I had to re-run Flow Calibration for most filaments as the Flow Ratio was a little higher than before. Also with the "Basic Function" Klipper code the print went to "Pause" the moment filament run-out at the LLL Plus. Then I tried to add the "Using Trigger for ...." code, but something is wrong with this code.....

 

 

[mvdveer]

2 hours ago, NikosSprocket said:

Hi all!

The LLL Plus is installed and wired as per Mellow instructions ; too many wires for all these endstops!

Actually the power (24V) it is from my CPAP setup which is in proximity to the LLL Plus location.

If I understand correctly, if I use @ss1gohan13 setup, I will need only a USB cable to the Pi as another MCU and not all the endstop signal cables?

The "Basic Function" works great, and my prints are a lot more consistent. Actually I had to re-run Flow Calibration for most filaments as the Flow Ratio was a little higher than before. Also with the "Basic Function" Klipper code the print went to "Pause" the moment filament run-out at the LLL Plus. Then I tried to add the "Using Trigger for ...." code, but something is wrong with this code.....

I have received my units to attach to the printers (5 in total). Will have to start printing the housings, but keeping a keen on this thread before venturing down this rabbit hole

[NikosSprocket]

2 hours ago, mvdveer said:

I have received my units to attach to the printers (5 in total). Will have to start printing the housings, but keeping a keen on this thread before venturing down this rabbit hole

Btw, I do not like the way LLL Plus attaches to the printer. It does not work well with panels!

After I short the functionality, I will re-design the outside cell to attach differently on the extrusions so latches, panels, cable runs can function.

If anyone has ideas/thoughts on ways to attach it to the frame, please let me know and I may implement in the Fusion drawing.

[ss1gohan13]

15 hours ago, NikosSprocket said:

Hi all!

The LLL Plus is installed and wired as per Mellow instructions ; too many wires for all these endstops!

Actually the power (24V) it is from my CPAP setup which is in proximity to the LLL Plus location.

If I understand correctly, if I use @ss1gohan13 setup, I will need only a USB cable to the Pi as another MCU and not all the endstop signal cables?

The "Basic Function" works great, and my prints are a lot more consistent. Actually I had to re-run Flow Calibration for most filaments as the Flow Ratio was a little higher than before. Also with the "Basic Function" Klipper code the print went to "Pause" the moment filament run-out at the LLL Plus. Then I tried to add the "Using Trigger for ...." code, but something is wrong with this code.....

Morning,

Yes that's correct. But it's still a WIP. Mostly need to get the config file tweaked in place so the functions are as close as possible. I've been recoverying from ACL surgery and the first week/week and half were really tough to get through. 

Now that I can get around now and not have to deal with as much pain, I can get around to the printer now that has the buffer and do some more testing. 

Thank you for the feedback. Don't forget that you can submit issues on github too. 

Edited December 18, 2025 by ss1gohan13

[NikosSprocket]

Thank you @ss1gohan13.

When I was finishing the nozzle camera adjustments, I found out that I have another problem; I do not have any available USB ports on the Pi 5!

1. Octapus MCU

2. U2C (CAN bridge)

3. Cabine camera

4. Nozzle camera

[Jerazmus]

You just need a waveshare board

[NikosSprocket]

1 hour ago, Jerazmus said:

You just need a waveshare board

Waveshare board?

[Jerazmus]

1 hour ago, NikosSprocket said:

Waveshare board?

It’s a Pi hat that adds 4 more usb ports that presses onto you GPIO pins. no programming required. 
 

https://a.co/d/dA7Ar01

[Jerazmus]

Don’t mind the wiring mess. I’m in testing phases. Lol

Edited December 18, 2025 by Jerazmus

[NikosSprocket]

@Jerazmus if you meant PCIe TO USB 3.2 Gen1 HAT+ will not work because I am already using the PCIe connector for the M2 HAT.

I found a standalone 4 Port USB 3.0 Hub board for anything. It's overpriced but has 24V input and can support up to 5A on each USB port!

[Penatr8tor]

10 hours ago, NikosSprocket said:

I found a standalone 4 Port USB 3.0 Hub board for anything. It's overpriced but has 24V input and can support up to 5A on each USB port!

Good find, I could use one of those. 

[Jerazmus]

12 hours ago, NikosSprocket said:

@Jerazmus if you meant PCIe TO USB 3.2 Gen1 HAT+ will not work because I am already using the PCIe connector for the M2 HAT.

I found a standalone 4 Port USB 3.0 Hub board for anything. It's overpriced but has 24V input and can support up to 5A on each USB port!

Just on a note. The 3.2 hat has pass through pins meaning you can stack another hat on top of that one as well. I have a fan hat that sits on top of the waveshare on top of the pi. It all works a treat!

[NikosSprocket]

7 hours ago, Jerazmus said:

Just on a note. The 3.2 hat has pass through pins meaning you can stack another hat on top of that one as well. I have a fan hat that sits on top of the waveshare on top of the pi. It all works a treat!

From what I read on the Waveshare manual the USB I/O happens through the USB "jumper"  and for power stability you still need to supply external power. I think the GPIO connector is just pass-through connector and for diagnostics.

[raztype]

Hi friends, I'm using ss1gohan13's method and when I press the manual button to feed then I want to do LOAD_FILAMENT from my macro the buffer seems to lock and the buffer doesn't sync with the printer extruder as if it's locked and I can no longer control the extruder.

Do I need to edit my macros or something? Thanks guys and sorry if my English is a bit unclear.  

[paulnd]

On 12/18/2025 at 2:35 AM, NikosSprocket said:

Btw, I do not like the way LLL Plus attaches to the printer. It does not work well with panels!

After I short the functionality, I will re-design the outside cell to attach differently on the extrusions so latches, panels, cable runs can function.

If anyone has ideas/thoughts on ways to attach it to the frame, please let me know and I may implement in the Fusion drawing.

I've received my LLL Plus and agree with you, where have you attached it to your printer and have you made any progress on redesigning the outside?

[NikosSprocket]

6 hours ago, paulnd said:

I've received my LLL Plus and agree with you, where have you attached it to your printer and have you made any progress on redesigning the outside?

Not yet. I probably incorporate it to my Rabbit Hole CPAP Blower System for Voron.

Edited January 12 by NikosSprocket

[NikosSprocket]

Finally, I got back to the LLL Plus mod. project and modified the original Mellow LLL Plus body for different mounting.

My goals were the following.

• Fit on a 20x20 extrusion of any Voron frame.
• Co-exist with 3mm Plexiglass (standard) Voron panels for fully enclosed operations.
• Be able to remove/install the Plexiglass panels without removing the LLL Plus.
• Easy printing without supports.

Below are some photos of the result:

 

If anyone is interested I will put it up on Printables.

Cheers!

 

[Vernon3D]

Nice Job could you perhabs adjust one that also fitt with 6mm panels ? 

[NikosSprocket]

11 hours ago, Vernon3D said:

Nice Job could you perhabs adjust one that also fitt with 6mm panels ? 

Thanks!

I will see if I can create one for 6 mm panels and let you know.

[Jerazmus]

29 minutes ago, NikosSprocket said:

Thanks!

I will see if I can create one for 6 mm panels and let you know.

Thank you. I would appreciate this as well! Much gratitude. 

[NikosSprocket]

Today, I tried to modify the current design for 6 mm panels, and unfortunately it will not work.

As you can see below from the modification for 6 mm panels there is not enough material left for the bolts and the 1st layer area it is too small to “hold” the print.

 

[Vernon3D]

Ok I see it and maybe if you make the area a little thicker so we need to use longer screws Is that and option ? My backpanel is standaard 3 only the side is 6 mm btw.

Thanks for your effort