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Posted (edited) · Read/Write NFC Tags

I finally spent some time looking into adding the ability to write the remaining weight to the tag in addition to the total through the UI. Originally, the UI would write the new total and remaining as the same value. Once I familiarized myself with the NFCSpool.py code, I realized that the functionality of writing the remaining amount was already coded into the MyFilamentSpool class. This was set to a default of None and if it is none, it will write it the same as the total.

Therefore I modified the NFCSPool.py, SpoolMaker.py, and gui.ui file to be able to write the remaining weight to the tag. The defaults are set to 1000000mg for each. I have attached all 3 files to this post. I don't have a github, so if someone wants to update these on there, they are more than welcome to.

 

Eventually I want to integrate this with a usb scale so that I can weigh a spool and write that weight in one, easy to use device. This is worth it for us because in a busy fall semester, we can burn through 2 spools a day and we are constantly moving materials around to 8 different Ultimaker material stations.

 

image.thumb.png.4746fa5a7c1e4cf9c561fb18c63c1757.png

SpoolMaker.zip

Edited by alkekmakerspace
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Posted (edited) · Read/Write NFC Tags

Big thank you to Dale Osborn and Frans Grotepass for supplying the code/program to alter the NFC tags.

 

For some reason Cura is not listed in my Windows 11 registry at the locations probed by the python code.

Maybe since I installed it via the Windows Store instead of an 'installer'.

I had to 'hardcode' the path location and version number variable for getting it to work.

 

Now awaiting the arrival of the NFC reader/writer...

Edited by Worfje
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Posted · Read/Write NFC Tags

Sorry, my mistake. Cura must have been installed via an 'installer' and not via the Windows Store.

I was thinking out loud on why Cura's file/path location isn't visible in my windows registry.

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    Posted · Read/Write NFC Tags
    On 9/4/2024 at 8:46 PM, Worfje said:

    Big thank you to Dale Osborn and Frans Grotepass for supplying the code/program to alter the NFC tags.

     

    For some reason Cura is not listed in my Windows 11 registry at the locations probed by the python code.

    Maybe since I installed it via the Windows Store instead of an 'installer'.

    I had to 'hardcode' the path location and version number variable for getting it to work.

     

    Now awaiting the arrival of the NFC reader/writer...

    Thanks, man! It's a pleasure. Unfortunately I'm not too focussed to debug any Windows issues. My stuff all runs Linux.

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    Posted · Read/Write NFC Tags
    On 8/30/2024 at 6:05 PM, alkekmakerspace said:

    I finally spent some time looking into adding the ability to write the remaining weight to the tag in addition to the total through the UI. Originally, the UI would write the new total and remaining as the same value. Once I familiarized myself with the NFCSpool.py code, I realized that the functionality of writing the remaining amount was already coded into the MyFilamentSpool class. This was set to a default of None and if it is none, it will write it the same as the total.

    Therefore I modified the NFCSPool.py, SpoolMaker.py, and gui.ui file to be able to write the remaining weight to the tag. The defaults are set to 1000000mg for each. I have attached all 3 files to this post. I don't have a github, so if someone wants to update these on there, they are more than welcome to.

     

    Eventually I want to integrate this with a usb scale so that I can weigh a spool and write that weight in one, easy to use device. This is worth it for us because in a busy fall semester, we can burn through 2 spools a day and we are constantly moving materials around to 8 different Ultimaker material stations.

     

    image.thumb.png.4746fa5a7c1e4cf9c561fb18c63c1757.png

    SpoolMaker.zip 8.95 kB · 6 downloads

    I'll check out the changes and incorporate it where possible.

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    Posted · Read/Write NFC Tags

    Just so people here know. A number of pull requests were submitted to Dale Osborne but they were not inspected and/or merged. I'll maintain my fork for now. It includes a filter for filament diameter and a filter for filament on text sub-string. There was a stage during one of the upgrades where a directory was added (can't remember which right now) that broke the tool. Will look exactly what that was, as this was also tweaked in the current version. It would be great if someone is willing to help maintain the MAC and Windows branches of the tool as this is not my joy in life.

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    Posted · Read/Write NFC Tags

    I am sure I can help out with the Windows branches. 


    FYI: I just received the NFC reader (ACS ACR122U) today and just tested it and it worked flawlessly! 

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    Posted · Read/Write NFC Tags

    I can also help with the windows side of things. I use this almost every day to rewrite tags. We also maintain the material profiles on 5 computers and 8 printers. You can see our filament usage metrics on our webpage if you scroll down to the power BI dashboard that shows patron demographics. The filament info is on page 4 of 8: https://www.library.txst.edu/spaces-technology/space-types/alkek-one/maker-space.html

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    Posted · Read/Write NFC Tags
    24 minutes ago, alkekmakerspace said:

    I can also help with the windows side of things. I use this almost every day to rewrite tags. We also maintain the material profiles on 5 computers and 8 printers. You can see our filament usage metrics on our webpage if you scroll down to the power BI dashboard that shows patron demographics. The filament info is on page 4 of 8: https://www.library.txst.edu/spaces-technology/space-types/alkek-one/maker-space.html

    Wow! Awesome setup you've got rolling there! It would be good if the small problems in the Windows version can be fixed.

     

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    Posted · Read/Write NFC Tags
    6 minutes ago, NTwoO said:

    Wow! Awesome setup you've got rolling there! It would be good if the small problems in the Windows version can be fixed.

     

    I'm not sure what the small issues are. The version I have running is working fine. I know when I first try to compile the exe there is an issue and I have to run a different command.

     

    This is what worked on my computer:

    python -m PyInstaller SpoolMaker.py --onefile --windowed --icon=.\icon.ico --add-data="icon.ico;." --add-data="gui.ui;."

     

    The readme files says this:

    pyinstaller.exe --onefile --windowed --icon=.\icon.ico --add-data="icon.ico;." --add-data="gui.ui;." .\SpoolMaker.py

     

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    Posted (edited) · Read/Write NFC Tags
    On 8/30/2024 at 6:05 PM, alkekmakerspace said:

    I finally spent some time looking into adding the ability to write the remaining weight to the tag in addition to the total through the UI. Originally, the UI would write the new total and remaining as the same value. Once I familiarized myself with the NFCSpool.py code, I realized that the functionality of writing the remaining amount was already coded into the MyFilamentSpool class. This was set to a default of None and if it is none, it will write it the same as the total.

    Therefore I modified the NFCSPool.py, SpoolMaker.py, and gui.ui file to be able to write the remaining weight to the tag. The defaults are set to 1000000mg for each. I have attached all 3 files to this post. I don't have a github, so if someone wants to update these on there, they are more than welcome to.

     

    Eventually I want to integrate this with a usb scale so that I can weigh a spool and write that weight in one, easy to use device. This is worth it for us because in a busy fall semester, we can burn through 2 spools a day and we are constantly moving materials around to 8 different Ultimaker material stations.

     

    image.thumb.png.4746fa5a7c1e4cf9c561fb18c63c1757.png

    SpoolMaker.zip 8.95 kB · 7 downloads

    Doesn't it make more sense to make the "weight current" read/write? That way is is not more clutter. In the past I changed the Total value to tune this... It might also be handy to add a config file for the tool, so default new weight (and possible filters I have in my version) can be saved between launches.

     

    My branch now has the remaining field read/write and this is used similar to how you added it. The UI is a rearranged somewhat to have a better layout. I can't tune or change the original version and pull requests are not accepted, so it would be good if the Windows version also works on my branch.

    Edited by NTwoO
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    Posted · Read/Write NFC Tags
    On 8/24/2023 at 10:07 PM, TheEngineerable said:

    @Monroe07. How has the material station clone project gone? Do you have pictures of it?

     

    Sorry if this a bit off the current conversational thread, but I wanted to answer a question to a forum member that was asked of me long ago but I didn't see it until Now.

     

    Sorry It's taken me so long @TheEngineerable. I dropped off for a while (Over a year) and only recently looked at this forum again after discussing the whole tag deal with someone else in person.

    I came back online because I was trying to see if I had posted where I had custom Ultimaker-Sized clone NFC tags from. I guess I never posted where I got them from... Damn.

    I did get a working material station made for the Ultimaker 3 (Non-S). It only holds 2 spools and but it is NFC capable without software changes. I never saw much more of a purpose to add more spools since it would at most be able to fit a third before the footprint got bigger than the printer, coupled with the mechanics and software to get spool switching and reading to work with the UM3. I can go down the challenges in detail if you're interested, since I've gone down that rabbit hole of research myself.

     

    Below are some pictures of it and I'll see if I can find the CAD model I made of it. Its made with 20mm extrusion (and hardware) as well as 3D printed parts and a new NFC (PN532, the same chip that the stock reader uses) with a larger antenna to get both NFC tags on both Stock Ultimaker spools and spools with my custom sized tags on them that allow the antenna to reach them when the tags are facing the same direction (pretty far from the reader), just like the Material station does. It also uses a "goldenrod" to ever-so-slightly heat the interior to keep the enemy at bay (relative humidity).

     

    The new antenna/reader is sold Here by elecHouse. Works great and can reach the far side tag (Left if you're looking at the pictures or standing in front of it). Needs a much larger tag (Ultimaker size) or a custom sized one (Like I was hoping I posted my source for here on this forum since I've forgotten where I got them from haha) for it to reach that far.

     

    Just a warning though, Once I got the material station working, I stopped all of the cosmetic work to make it pretty
    🫤

     

    Sorry if that was a bit of a ramble and answered your question and again, I'm sorry it took so long to see it and answer.

     

    - Monroe

     

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    Posted · Read/Write NFC Tags

    I run with simple 25mm tags on the stock reader and it works fine. Just stick them close to the core as possible.

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