The first prototype for the filament sensor was built in April 2013 and has evolved to the current design over about 1 1/2 years. Its held up pretty well and gives a level of robustness and precision that even surprises me. Only 1 has been returned as not working, and I use that one on my own printer because it was working fine. The design is starting to show its age, though.
The line image sensor used in this design is no longer being manufactured, and so I am reviewing some options on how to proceed. I still have a decent inventory at the moment. There is a replacement sensor, so the design change is not a big deal. The challenge is its sold in batches of 2000, which is 10x more than the yearly sales.
Some options:
I want to be able to keep supplying these things for all the makers out there, since there is really nothing like it for under 100 bucks. I am looking for input on this - please send me any suggestions...
The line image sensor used in this design is no longer being manufactured, and so I am reviewing some options on how to proceed. I still have a decent inventory at the moment. There is a replacement sensor, so the design change is not a big deal. The challenge is its sold in batches of 2000, which is 10x more than the yearly sales.
Some options:
- Drum up sales of the filament sensor - so far sales have been direct to users, and no printer manufacturers have been interested, but that could change.
- Sell a breakout board for the replacement image sensor, to recoup costs of buying larger quantities. Not sure if there is enough demand here.
- Redesign for another image sensor. There are ccd modules that are getting cheap, but this would be a significant redesign.
- Other??
I want to be able to keep supplying these things for all the makers out there, since there is really nothing like it for under 100 bucks. I am looking for input on this - please send me any suggestions...