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Filament Tracker Live Spool

Introducing FilamentTracker Live Spool

A Raspberry Pi-powered spool scale, NFC/RFID station, touchscreen dashboard, and hardware companion for the FilamentTracker Android app.

FilamentTracker Live Spool turns a Raspberry Pi into a dedicated workstation for weighing filament spools, reading NFC and RFID tags, displaying live spool information, and communicating with the FilamentTracker Android app over a local network.

It is designed as an addition to FilamentTracker—not a replacement for it. The FilamentTracker Android application remains the primary inventory system where spool details, materials, colors, locations, remaining filament, notes, and history are managed.

Live Spool acts as the physical hardware station that connects the digital inventory to the actual spool sitting on the scale.

Important: Live Spool does not maintain a second filament inventory database. FilamentTracker remains the source of truth, while Live Spool provides live weight and tag information.

What Live Spool Can Do

  • Display the live weight of a filament spool.
  • Read FilamentTracker NFC tags.
  • Read supported Bambu Lab RFID tags.
  • Write and verify compatible NFC spool tags.
  • Logically erase compatible writable NFC tags.
  • Receive temporary NFC write sessions initiated from the Android app.
  • Combine live scale readings and NFC tag data into one current-spool view.
  • Provide a touchscreen dashboard designed for a dedicated 7-inch display.
  • Provide calibration, diagnostics, settings, and hardware-status screens.
  • Communicate with FilamentTracker Android and FilamentTracker Server through a local REST API.

Designed to Work with FilamentTracker

The main purpose of Live Spool is to make managing filament easier inside the FilamentTracker ecosystem.

A spool can be placed on the scale and identified using its attached NFC tag. Live Spool can then display information such as the brand, material, color, tag identification, and current measured weight.

The FilamentTracker Android app can also send spool information to Live Spool and start a temporary NFC writing session. The user simply presents a compatible tag to the reader, and Live Spool writes the spool data, verifies the tag, and returns to the main dashboard.

This creates a simple physical workflow for assigning and identifying filament spools without moving the inventory itself away from the Android app.

Touchscreen Dashboard

Live Spool includes an appliance-style touchscreen interface designed around a 7-inch, 1024 × 600 display.

The dashboard presents the current spool weight, detected tag information, filament details, scale status, NFC status, and other useful information without requiring a keyboard or mouse.

FilamentTracker Live Spool touchscreen dashboard

Technician and Settings Interface

A hidden technician menu provides access to diagnostics, scale calibration, NFC tools, display settings, network information, system controls, and project information.

The interface is designed to feel like a dedicated appliance rather than a standard Raspberry Pi desktop.

Technician menu and maintenance tools

Hardware

The current tested Live Spool appliance uses:

  • Raspberry Pi 5
  • 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS
  • ELECROW 7-inch 1024 × 600 touchscreen
  • PN532 NFC reader operating in I²C mode
  • NAU7802 load-cell analog-to-digital converter
  • 5 kg four-wire load cell

Software support is also included for the HX711 load-cell interface, along with mock hardware for development and testing on Linux systems.

Completed Live Spool scale and touchscreen appliance

NFC and RFID Support

Live Spool uses a PN532 reader to communicate with compatible NFC tags. FilamentTracker tags can contain information such as:

  • Spool identification
  • Filament identification
  • Brand
  • Material
  • Color name
  • Color value
  • Initial filament weight
  • Last recorded remaining weight
  • Last update time

Live Spool can compare the last weight saved to the tag with the current scale measurement, making it possible to identify when the physical spool weight has changed.

Supported Bambu Lab RFID tags can also be read for spool identification. Bambu RFID functionality is currently read-only and depends on successful tag authentication.

Accurate Spool Weighing

The built-in calibration wizard walks the user through removing all weight, taring the scale, placing an accurately known calibration weight, entering its mass, and verifying the result.

Calibration information is stored separately from the application so it can be preserved when the software is updated.

Scale accuracy ultimately depends on the quality of the load cell, mechanical construction, mounting, wiring, and calibration.

Inside the Appliance

The PN532 NFC reader and NAU7802 scale interface share the Raspberry Pi’s I²C bus. This allows the system to read the physical spool weight and the attached tag through a compact hardware installation.

NAU7802 scale interface and PN532 NFC wiring

Local Network Integration

Live Spool provides a local REST API that allows FilamentTracker Android and FilamentTracker Server to retrieve:

  • System and hardware status
  • Current scale weight
  • NFC reader and tag status
  • Combined current-spool information
  • Scale calibration status

The API also supports temporary NFC write sessions, compatible tag erase operations, and scale-calibration controls.

Network notice: Live Spool is intended for a trusted home or workshop network. Its API should not be exposed directly to the Internet or made publicly accessible through port forwarding.

Current Development Status

Live Spool is an actively developed addition to the FilamentTracker project. The Raspberry Pi 5 is currently the primary tested platform.

Future development plans include:

  • Additional Raspberry Pi and display validation
  • Improved guided hardware setup
  • Expanded Android and FilamentTracker Server integration testing
  • Published enclosure and build plans
  • Additional appliance photographs and documentation
  • Improved upgrade and rollback support
  • Packaged software releases

A Physical Companion for Digital Filament Management

FilamentTracker Live Spool brings physical spool identification and measurement directly into the FilamentTracker workflow.

Instead of manually identifying a spool, estimating its remaining weight, or maintaining another separate inventory, the user can place the spool on the station, scan its tag, and work with the same information already managed by FilamentTracker.

The goal is to create a practical, dedicated tool for makers who want better visibility into their filament inventory while keeping FilamentTracker Android at the center of the system.

Project Information

Project: FilamentTracker Live Spool

Companion application: FilamentTracker Android

Primary platform: Raspberry Pi 5

License: MIT

FilamentTracker Live Spool is an independent interoperability project. FilamentTracker and Bambu Lab names belong to their respective owners.

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Filament Tracker for 3D Printing – Track Filament Inventory, Spools, and Usage (Android)

3D Printing Tools & Android Apps
Simple, fast, and practical Android apps built for makers and 3D printing enthusiasts.
Filament Tracker 3DSTLViewer Icon Packs Updates News
Download Filament Tracker Free

Filament Tracker Android app showing filament spool tracking, barcode and NFC scanning, and tools to manage 3D printing filament inventory.

Filament Tracker for 3D Printing – Track Filament Inventory, Spools, NFC Tags, and RFID Filament Data

Filament Tracker v1.0.4 is now available on Google Play with major NFC, TD1S, and Bambu RFID improvements for makers.

I’m excited to share the latest version of Filament Tracker, available now on Google Play.

If you enjoy 3D printing, you already know how quickly filament starts to pile up. Different brands, materials, colors, partially used spools, storage bins, dryers, and printer assignments can get difficult to manage fast.

That’s exactly why I built Filament Tracker.

What Is Filament Tracker?

Filament Tracker is an Android app designed to help makers organize and manage their 3D printing filament inventory in one place.

Whether you have a few favorite spools or a full shelf of materials, Filament Tracker helps you keep track of:

  • what filament you have
  • where it is stored
  • how much is left
  • what it cost
  • when it was purchased
  • how much you are actually using
  • which spools belong to which filament profiles

Key Features

Filament and Spool Tracking

Track filament by brand, material, color, and spool count. Add multiple spools to the same filament and monitor remaining grams over time.

Barcode, QR, NFC, and RFID Support

Quickly add filament by scanning a barcode or QR code. Read and write Filament Tracker NFC tags for faster filament matching and spool setup. The app can also read supported Bambu Lab RFID filament tags and import useful filament details into the create filament flow.

Bambu Lab RFID Tag Reading

Scan supported Bambu filament RFID tags to detect the tag, preview parsed filament information, and prefill brand, material, color, and tag UID into the app. Unsupported RFID and NFC tags are handled gracefully with a clear message.

TD1S Exact Color Integration

Optionally connect a BIQU/AJAX TD1S over USB to read measured filament color before writing NFC tags or creating a filament profile. The app can use the measured hex color in the NFC payload or update the saved filament profile with the TD1S color and TD value.

Inventory Management

Organize spools by Printers, Filament Dryers, and Storage locations. Move spools between locations with a simple workflow.

Print Calculator and Print History

Estimate filament usage before printing, log grams used, and keep spool totals accurate. View past prints and undo usage when needed.

Expanded Filament Catalog

The built-in catalog includes a large selection of brands, materials, and colors to help speed up filament setup.

Material Definitions and Dryer Presets

View helpful material reference information and drying guidance for common filament types.

Low Stock and Favorites

Quickly see when spools or filaments are running low. Mark favorite filaments so the colors and materials you use most are easier to manage.

Filament Tags, Purchase Dates, and Notes

Track useful details like filament tags, spool purchase dates, notes, and TD values to keep your inventory more organized.

Stats and Insights

View useful collection stats including spool totals, inventory by location, and low stock counts.

Backup and Restore

Export and import your data so your collection stays safe and easy to restore.

What’s New in Version 1.0.4

  • Added optional TD1S color scanning for NFC and filament setup
  • Use BIQU/AJAX TD1S measured color when writing NFC tags
  • Added TD1S exact color option to Create Filament
  • Added option to update saved filament color from TD1S
  • Improved TD1S USB detection, permission flow, and diagnostics
  • Added Bambu Lab RFID tag read support in Create Filament
  • Scan supported Bambu filament tags to prefill brand, material, color, and tag UID
  • Added Bambu tag preview with parsed filament details before import
  • Improved unsupported RFID and NFC tag handling with clearer messaging
  • Better TD1S guidance, UI polish, and stability improvements

Why I Built It

I wanted something that was:

  • fast and easy to use
  • clean and modern
  • practical for real hobby 3D printing
  • focused on actually keeping filament inventory accurate

So I built it for myself, and now I’m sharing it with other makers too.

Feedback and Support

I’m continuing to improve Filament Tracker and add useful features over time.

If you try the app, I’d love to hear your feedback.

Thanks for checking it out, and happy printing.

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Icon Pack Updates

3D Printing Tools & Android Apps
Simple, fast, and practical Android apps built for makers and 3D printing enthusiasts.
Filament Tracker 3DSTLViewer Icon Packs Updates News

Release Notes - Android Theme Pack Applications by SLCMotor Themes

Version [All Icon Packs] - Released [March 2025]

We are excited to share the latest updates for all our Android Theme Packs! As part of our ongoing commitment to enhance your experience, we've made several improvements to ensure compatibility with the latest Android version and a smoother, more polished interface. Here's what's new in this release:

What's New:

  • Updated to Target Android 15 (SDK 35): Our theme packs are now fully optimized for Android 15 to ensure compatibility with the latest Android features and updates.
  • Minor Color Fixes: We've made subtle color adjustments for better visual consistency and improved aesthetics.
  • Fixes for Widget Rendering Bugs: We've addressed an issue with widget rendering that may have caused glitches or layout problems for some users.
  • Updated Dependencies and Translations: We've updated several core dependencies for better performance and compatibility. Additionally, all theme packs now include the most up-to-date translations.
  • Support for Projectivy Launcher: We’ve added support for the Projectivy launcher, giving you more flexibility and customization options.

Future Plans for 2025:

While we are continually working to improve our theme packs, here’s a glimpse of what’s to come in 2025:

  • Selective Icon Pack Updates: After completing the updates to the latest Dashboard v2.4.3, we will begin selectively updating icon packs. Not all icon packs will receive newer icons, as we will prioritize those with the most active installations and community interest.

  • Icon Overhauls for Certain Packs: Some of our older icon packs may undergo a complete overhaul, with newer, more modern icons being introduced. While we aim to keep the core icon style, some variations may be made to improve consistency and user experience.

  • Reintroducing Discontinued Icon Packs: We plan to update and bring back some older, discontinued icon packs to the Google Play Store. These packs will be enhanced with new icons and features based on community feedback.

  • Discontinuing Inactive Icon Packs: To focus our efforts on more active and engaged theme packs, some currently inactive icon packs may be discontinued. This decision will be based on community interest and active installations.

  • Open Call for New Icon Packs: If you have an idea for a new icon pack or a specific icon you'd like to see included, we would love to hear from you! You can submit suggestions or requests, and we will do our best to incorporate them into future updates.

  • Icon Pack Requests: If you're using a theme pack and would like to see specific icons created for your favorite apps, please send us your requests. We’re committed to keeping our community’s requests in mind and will include them in future theme pack versions.

We are thrilled to continue improving the SLCMotor Themes experience for all users and appreciate your support. Keep your feedback coming, and stay tuned for more exciting updates!

Thank you for being part of the SLCMotor Themes community!

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