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3D Printing: About the extruder choice

balearicdynamics

I write this short note, an abstract from the - in-print next October - issue of The Shed Magazine. I should admit that I had never though to this important detail without spending a lot of time in chat with trying to understand and solve the problems of her first "dual extruder" 3D printer. Sometime sharing our own issues maybe one of the best forms of cooperation and knowledge sharing.

 

A dual-filament extruder maybe a trap, so please be careful! Dual filament does not mean that the extruder can pull one or the other filament depending on the design, instead it means that two filament spools are involved at the same time. If you try to use a dual filament extruder (that has a single nozzle) with a single lament feed, it will not work. Use a dual filament extruder only at times you choose to play with mixing colours together or if you plan to consume a lot of material.

 

Top Replies

  • Actually they do work and now there is already a 4 filament, one nozzle printer, the Prusa I3 MKII Multi Material

    Original Prusa i3 MK2 Multi Material upgrade kit

    I have seen this reviewed already and while it seems wasteful of filament due to a purge tower being used, it does work well

     

     

    For those interested, you can download the models and print your own parts to create your own version. Prusa is fully open source.

    Enjoy

  • in reply to peteroakes

    Sure Prusa is fully open source. Never told different.

     

    What you mention is a multi material extruder. As a matter of fact a double (or 4 units) extruder that is not a "dual" one. The first 3D printer versions of multi material was including two extruders (as many models has now). This generates a problems in reducing the effective printing area and recently there is this kind of extruders supporting multiple feeds (of different materials too) that includes in a single extruder group multiple supports. This is the first kind of alternative solution to multiple extruders and seems nice just because is saving 3D volume for printing.

     

    Enrico

  • in reply to balearicdynamics

    My response was based on this "If you try to use a dual filament extruder (that has a single nozzle) with a single lament feed, it will not work"

    I am pretty sure that if you only load up one filament and try to print even though this one can handle 4, it will still work, maybe I just dont understand your comment ?

    Regards

    Peter

  • in reply to peteroakes

    You understood what is possible with my classical English mistakes

     

    Dual filament extruder is two wires together in a single extruder. What you mention instead is four-in-one. Yes your extruder will mix different materials and works independently; as a matter of fact - if I am not wrong - from the printing software you can select Extruder 1, 2, 3, 4 depending on what you are printing. In the case of dual extruder I mention, you just see ONE extruder in the printing software and it needs two filament feeds. The only advantage is that you can print randomly mixing two colours. Better than me this crap solution can be explained by that owned one of them for some time.

     

    Enrico

  • in reply to peteroakes

    As says, I had a 2-in 1-out dual extrusion printer very briefly. The problem with these in my experience is that if you are only wanting to print in one colour you end up with a major blockage occurring in the hot end unless you run the same filament colour through both inlets. If you have no filament in one side it'll push molten filament back towards the unused side of the extruder where it'll cool and cause a blockage. If you have filament in that side, but not being advanced, it'll over time burn and cause a major blockage. Basically X-in to 1-out heads are excellent if you want to print in lots of colours but for single colour jobs they're not so good. I'm much happier now I have a 2-in 2-out!

     

    Best Regards,

     

    Rachael

  • in reply to rachaelp

    I have to say I was having difficulty following this until your explanation .

    That's not a reflection on anyone but we do have a mix of native languages to contend with ...inc those in the UK.

     

    I understand that any multi head is going to have some additional weight, but I presume the multi nozzle and associated heater/feeder adds more again as well as reducing the print area slightly.

    Like many consumer type products, it seems that the PR people think this feature would be great, or we can add this and charge a little more, when 90% of the users don't need the item.

    The other few percent will have specific needs and can justify a special version for their purposes.

     

     

    Cheers

    mark