Feature request: Remotely checking build plate and confirming that it is clear.

[HwzTEW8Uik 1]

Printer: Ultimaker 3

 

Current situation:

After finishing a print and removing it, the printer requires you to push the clickwheel to confirm the "print removed" message, otherwise it is not possible to start another print. This is a sensible safety feature.

The problem is that people are forgetful. It is not possible to trigger the message remotely, which means that you can't start a job remotely either without somebody being physically present to push the button. This ends up wasting a lot of valuable overnight and weekend printing time, when there is nobody present to push the button.

You could of course try to confront you colleagues ever more aggressively about pushing the button until they "get the message", but that doesn't seem the most conductive for a harmonious work environment. ;)

There is a thread that talks about disabling the safety feature completely. But I don't think that's the best way to go.
https://community.ultimaker.com/topic/29369-disable-print-removed-confirmation-message/

 

Solution:

Rather than trying to fix basic human psychology, the Ultimaker 3 already has the hardware to make a perfect solution. It has an integrated camera that can be viewed over the network. It should be perfectly possible to check the buildplate using the camera and confirm that it is clear. While some of the buildplate isn't visible in the lowest position, this could be solved by just raising the plate a little (possibly after an initial confirmation that there isn't a very tall print that's going to collide with anything, though this could also be solved by just checking the gcode of the last print).

[CarloK 190]

Thanks for posting your request. Feedback like this helps us to understand how people are using the printers and how we can improve the workflow. 

I can't promise if or when this will be implemented but I like the request and forwarded it to our product owner.