Experimental feature to enable pulsatile purging in the wipe tower, aiming to improve purging efficiency

src/libslic3r/GCode/WipeTower2.cpp

@@ -557,7 +557,12 @@ WipeTower2::WipeTower2(const PrintConfig& config, const PrintRegionConfig& defau
     m_perimeter_speed(default_region_config.inner_wall_speed),
     m_current_tool(initial_tool),
     wipe_volumes(wiping_matrix),
-    m_wipe_tower_max_purge_speed(float(config.wipe_tower_max_purge_speed))
+    m_wipe_tower_max_purge_speed(float(config.wipe_tower_max_purge_speed)),
+    m_wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge(float(config.wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge)),
+    m_wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed(float(config.wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed)),
+    m_wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed(float(config.wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed)),
+    m_wipe_tower_retraction_distance(float(config.wipe_tower_retraction_distance)),
+    m_wipe_tower_retraction_speed(float(config.wipe_tower_retraction_speed))
 {
     // Read absolute value of first layer speed, if given as percentage,
     // it is taken over following default. Speeds from config are not
@@ -827,7 +832,9 @@ WipeTower::ToolChangeResult WipeTower2::tool_change(size_t tool)
     writer.speed_override_backup();
 	writer.speed_override(100);
 
-	Vec2f initial_position = cleaning_box.ld + Vec2f(0.f, m_depth_traversed);
+    // Orca: Pulsatile purge - toolchange slightly out from the purge tower perimeter to reduce blobbing on the purge tower
+    Vec2f initial_position = m_wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge ? cleaning_box.ld + Vec2f(-m_perimeter_width*2, m_depth_traversed) :
+                                                            cleaning_box.ld + Vec2f(0.f, m_depth_traversed);
     writer.set_initial_position(initial_position, m_wipe_tower_width, m_wipe_tower_depth, m_internal_rotation);
 
     // Increase the extruder driver current to allow fast ramming.
@@ -1195,10 +1202,31 @@ void WipeTower2::toolchange_Wipe(
 		}
 
 		float traversed_x = writer.x();
-		if (m_left_to_right)
-            writer.extrude(xr - (i % 4 == 0 ? 0 : 1.5f*line_width), writer.y(), wipe_speed);
-		else
-            writer.extrude(xl + (i % 4 == 1 ? 0 : 1.5f*line_width), writer.y(), wipe_speed);
+        bool deretract = false; // Orca: Pulsatile purge deretraction flag
+        if(!m_wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge || is_first_layer()){ // Orca: Regular purging
+            if (m_left_to_right)
+                writer.extrude(xr - (i % 4 == 0 ? 0 : 1.5f*line_width), writer.y(), wipe_speed);
+            else
+                writer.extrude(xl + (i % 4 == 1 ? 0 : 1.5f*line_width), writer.y(), wipe_speed);
+        }else{ // ORCA: Pusatile purging
+            if (m_left_to_right){
+                if(i % 3 == 0 && i != 0){ // print every third left to right extrusion slowly, followed by a retraction and de-retraction to dislodge stuck filament in the nozzle walls
+                    writer.extrude(xr - (i % 4 == 0 ? line_width : 1.5f*line_width), writer.y(), m_wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed * 60.); // print slowly with low filament flow to allow for any "stuck" filament to the nozzle walls to move
+                    // Check wipe tower ending before applying retraction
+                    bool will_break_due_to_y = (writer.y() + float(EPSILON) > cleaning_box.lu.y() - 0.5f * line_width);
+                    bool will_break_due_to_x = (x_to_wipe - std::abs(traversed_x - writer.x()) < WT_EPSILON);
+                    if (!(will_break_due_to_y || will_break_due_to_x)) {
+                        // Perform retraction only if wipe tower will continue to a next X line
+                        writer.retract(m_wipe_tower_retraction_distance, m_wipe_tower_retraction_speed * 60.);
+                        deretract = true;
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    writer.extrude(xr - (i % 4 == 0 ? 0.25*line_width : 1.5f*line_width), writer.y(), m_wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed * 60.); // change ancorning point to reduce collisions
+                }
+            } else {
+                writer.extrude(xl + (i % 4 == 1 ? 0.25*line_width : 1.5f*line_width), writer.y(), m_wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed * 60.); // change ancorning point to reduce collisions
+            }
+        }
 
         if (writer.y()+float(EPSILON) > cleaning_box.lu.y()-0.5f*line_width)
             break;		// in case next line would not fit
@@ -1210,7 +1238,12 @@ void WipeTower2::toolchange_Wipe(
 			break;
 		}
 		// stepping to the next line:
-        writer.extrude(writer.x() + (i % 4 == 0 ? -1.f : (i % 4 == 1 ? 1.f : 0.f)) * 1.5f*line_width, writer.y() + dy);
+        if(deretract){ // ORCA: Pusatile flushing deretraction move
+            writer.travel(writer.x() + (i % 4 == 0 ? -1.f : (i % 4 == 1 ? 1.f : 0.f)) * 1.5f*line_width, writer.y() + dy);
+            writer.retract(-m_wipe_tower_retraction_distance,5*60.); // deretract slowly to ramp up pressure and allow the filament to flow through again without shearing off the nozzle walls
+        }else{ // Orca: regular purging move
+            writer.extrude(writer.x() + (i % 4 == 0 ? -1.f : (i % 4 == 1 ? 1.f : 0.f)) * 1.5f*line_width, writer.y() + dy);
+        }
 		m_left_to_right = !m_left_to_right;
 	}
 

src/libslic3r/GCode/WipeTower2.hpp

@@ -192,6 +192,13 @@ class WipeTower2
     float  m_travel_speed       = 0.f;
 	float  m_infill_speed       = 0.f;
     float  m_wipe_tower_max_purge_speed   = 90.f;
+    // Orca: pulsatile purging
+    bool   m_wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge = false;
+    float  m_wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed = 30.f;
+    float  m_wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed = 150.f;
+    float  m_wipe_tower_retraction_distance = 2.f;
+    float  m_wipe_tower_retraction_speed = 30.f;
+    // Orca: pulsatile purging end
 	float  m_perimeter_speed    = 0.f;
     float  m_first_layer_speed  = 0.f;
     size_t m_first_layer_idx    = size_t(-1);

src/libslic3r/Preset.cpp

@@ -810,7 +810,9 @@ static std::vector<std::string> s_Preset_print_options {
      "initial_layer_travel_speed", "exclude_object", "slow_down_layers", "infill_anchor", "infill_anchor_max","initial_layer_min_bead_width",
      "make_overhang_printable", "make_overhang_printable_angle", "make_overhang_printable_hole_size" ,"notes",
      "wipe_tower_cone_angle", "wipe_tower_extra_spacing","wipe_tower_max_purge_speed", "wipe_tower_filament", "wiping_volumes_extruders","wipe_tower_bridging", "wipe_tower_extra_flow","single_extruder_multi_material_priming",
-     "wipe_tower_rotation_angle", "tree_support_branch_distance_organic", "tree_support_branch_diameter_organic", "tree_support_branch_angle_organic",
+     "wipe_tower_rotation_angle", 
+    "wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge","wipe_tower_retraction_speed","wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed","wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed","wipe_tower_retraction_distance", // Orca: Pulsatile purging
+    "tree_support_branch_distance_organic", "tree_support_branch_diameter_organic", "tree_support_branch_angle_organic",
      "hole_to_polyhole", "hole_to_polyhole_threshold", "hole_to_polyhole_twisted", "mmu_segmented_region_max_width", "mmu_segmented_region_interlocking_depth",
      "small_area_infill_flow_compensation", "small_area_infill_flow_compensation_model",
      "seam_slope_type", "seam_slope_conditional", "scarf_angle_threshold", "scarf_joint_speed", "scarf_joint_flow_ratio", "seam_slope_start_height", "seam_slope_entire_loop", "seam_slope_min_length", "seam_slope_steps", "seam_slope_inner_walls", "scarf_overhang_threshold",

src/libslic3r/Print.cpp

@@ -297,6 +297,11 @@ bool Print::invalidate_state_by_config_options(const ConfigOptionResolver & /* n
             || opt_key == "wipe_tower_cone_angle"
             || opt_key == "wipe_tower_extra_spacing"
             || opt_key == "wipe_tower_max_purge_speed"
+            || opt_key == "wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge" // Orca: Pulsatile purging
+            || opt_key == "wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed"
+            || opt_key == "wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed"
+            || opt_key == "wipe_tower_retraction_distance"
+            || opt_key == "wipe_tower_retraction_speed" // Orca: Pulsatile purging
             || opt_key == "wipe_tower_filament"
             || opt_key == "wiping_volumes_extruders"
             || opt_key == "enable_filament_ramming"

src/libslic3r/PrintConfig.cpp

@@ -5171,6 +5171,51 @@ void PrintConfigDef::init_fff_params()
     def->min = 0;
     def->max = max_temp;
     def->set_default_value(new ConfigOptionInts{0});
+
+    // Orca: Pulsatile purging
+    def = this->add("wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge", coBool);
+    def->label = L("Enable pulsatile purging");
+    def->tooltip = L("Use the pulsatile flushing technique when purging in the purge tower. This technique aims to reduce the purging volume needed to perform a color transition, "
+                     "by forcing turbulent flow inside the nozzle causing the filament residue to unstick from the nozzle tube surfaces. This feature is particularly helpful "
+                     "for CHT type nozzles as, due to their increased internal surface, more material tends to cling on, hence, need more material to be purged for a thorough "
+                     "color change. Set the below parameters to appropriate values for your setup.");
+    def->mode = comAdvanced;
+    def->set_default_value(new ConfigOptionBool(false));
+
+    def = this->add("wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed", coFloat);
+    def->label = L("Purge speed - low");
+    def->tooltip = L("The minimum print speed (hence flow) when printing the wipe tower sparse layers during purging.");
+    def->sidetext = L("mm/s");
+    def->mode = comAdvanced;
+    def->min = 10;
+    def->set_default_value(new ConfigOptionFloat(50.));
+
+    def = this->add("wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed", coFloat);
+    def->label = L("Purge speed - high");
+    def->tooltip = L("The maximum print speed (hence flow) when printing the wipe tower sparse layers during purging. This speed is constrained by the maximum volumetric flow rate "
+                     "set for the filament.");
+    def->sidetext = L("mm/s");
+    def->mode = comAdvanced;
+    def->min = 10;
+    def->set_default_value(new ConfigOptionFloat(200.));
+
+    def = this->add("wipe_tower_retraction_distance", coFloat);
+    def->label = L("Retraction distance");
+    def->tooltip = L("The retraction distance used to pulse the filament with during purging.");
+    def->sidetext = L("mm");
+    def->mode = comAdvanced;
+    def->min = 0.1;
+    def->set_default_value(new ConfigOptionFloat(4.));
+
+    def = this->add("wipe_tower_retraction_speed", coFloat);
+    def->label = L("Retraction speed");
+    def->tooltip = L("The retraction speed used to pulse the filament with during purging. This is used to create turbulance in the nozzle before slowly de-retracting at a fixed "
+                     "5mm/sec speeed and continuing with the purge cycle.");
+    def->sidetext = L("mm/s");
+    def->mode = comAdvanced;
+    def->min = 10;
+    def->set_default_value(new ConfigOptionFloat(60.));
+    // Orca: Pulsatile purging
 
     def = this->add("xy_hole_compensation", coFloat);
     def->label = L("X-Y hole compensation");

src/libslic3r/PrintConfig.hpp

@@ -1278,6 +1278,13 @@ PRINT_CONFIG_CLASS_DERIVED_DEFINE(
     ((ConfigOptionInt,                wipe_tower_filament))
     ((ConfigOptionFloats,             wiping_volumes_extruders))
     ((ConfigOptionInts,       idle_temperature))
+
+    // ORCA: Pulsatile purging
+    ((ConfigOptionBool,            wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge))
+    ((ConfigOptionFloat,            wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed))
+    ((ConfigOptionFloat,            wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed))
+    ((ConfigOptionFloat,            wipe_tower_retraction_distance))
+    ((ConfigOptionFloat,            wipe_tower_retraction_speed))
 
 
     // BBS: wipe tower is only used for priming

src/slic3r/GUI/ConfigManipulation.cpp

@@ -676,13 +676,19 @@ void ConfigManipulation::toggle_print_fff_options(DynamicPrintConfig *config, co
     for (auto el : {"wipe_tower_rotation_angle", "wipe_tower_cone_angle",
                     "wipe_tower_extra_spacing", "wipe_tower_max_purge_speed",
                     "wipe_tower_bridging", "wipe_tower_extra_flow",
-                    "wipe_tower_no_sparse_layers"})
+                    "wipe_tower_no_sparse_layers",
+                    "wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge"}) // ORCA: Pulsatile purging
+
       toggle_line(el, have_prime_tower && !is_BBL_Printer);
 
     toggle_line("single_extruder_multi_material_priming", !bSEMM && have_prime_tower && !is_BBL_Printer);
 
     toggle_line("prime_volume",have_prime_tower && (!purge_in_primetower || !bSEMM));
 
+    bool pulsatile_purge = config->opt_bool("wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge");
+    for (auto el : {"wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed","wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed","wipe_tower_retraction_distance","wipe_tower_retraction_speed"})
+        toggle_line(el, have_prime_tower && !is_BBL_Printer && pulsatile_purge);
+
     for (auto el : {"flush_into_infill", "flush_into_support", "flush_into_objects"})
         toggle_field(el, have_prime_tower);
 

src/slic3r/GUI/Plater.cpp

@@ -2783,6 +2783,7 @@ Plater::priv::priv(Plater *q, MainFrame *main_frame)
         "enable_support", "support_filament", "support_interface_filament",
         "support_top_z_distance", "support_bottom_z_distance", "raft_layers",
         "wipe_tower_rotation_angle", "wipe_tower_cone_angle", "wipe_tower_extra_spacing", "wipe_tower_extra_flow", "wipe_tower_max_purge_speed", "wipe_tower_filament",
+        "wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge","wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed","wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed","wipe_tower_retraction_distance","wipe_tower_retraction_speed",
         "best_object_pos"
         }))
     , sidebar(new Sidebar(q))

src/slic3r/GUI/Tab.cpp

@@ -2284,6 +2284,15 @@ void TabPrint::build()
         optgroup->append_single_option_line("wipe_tower_max_purge_speed");
         optgroup->append_single_option_line("wipe_tower_no_sparse_layers");
         optgroup->append_single_option_line("single_extruder_multi_material_priming");
+        // Orca: pulsatile purging
+        optgroup->append_single_option_line("wipe_tower_pulsatile_purge");
+
+        optgroup = page->new_optgroup(L("Pulsatile purging"), L"param_tower");
+        optgroup->append_single_option_line("wipe_tower_pulse_low_speed");
+        optgroup->append_single_option_line("wipe_tower_pulse_high_speed");
+        optgroup->append_single_option_line("wipe_tower_retraction_distance");
+        optgroup->append_single_option_line("wipe_tower_retraction_speed");
+        // Orca: pulsatile purging end
 
         optgroup = page->new_optgroup(L("Filament for Features"));
         optgroup->append_single_option_line("wall_filament");