Material Interlocking PRUSA XL
Hey,
I just received my XL Printer. One of the main reasons why I've bought one is the multi material printing possibility - especially in combination with FLEX filaments.
On the first print I found out, that its not like described.
https://help.prusa3d.com/de/article/printing-without-purge-tower-on-xl-multi-tool_649633
"The Original Prusa XL can print true multi-material prints without the need for any purge or wipe tower.
The problem now is, that its simply not possible to print inside another material - it seems to be a visual thing only. That means the FLEX part in the attached picture is not one part. Its just on both ends FLEX and inside its PLA. So the FLEX part is just on top of the PLA one. This results in a combination which breaks down.
I found out that cura is supporting this feature.
https://ultimaker.com/de/learn/unlock-true-multi-material-printing-with-ultimaker-cura-5-3/
But I have no idea what I have to do to get the second extruder of my XL working in cura. Any ideas? And I think that should be a working feature in prusa slicer as well - are there any plans? That is the big advantage of 3D prints - the possibility to make parts which are not possible to create by a cnc...
I've tried to print both parts separatly but they dont fit after the print. And I had to use supports which I couldnt get out anymore.
Bests Christian
RE: Material Interlocking PRUSA XL
I found out that cura is supporting this feature.
https://ultimaker.com/de/learn/unlock-true-multi-material-printing-with-ultimaker-cura-5-3/
PS already has this. You have to specify a maximum width of segmented region to allow setting interlocking depth.
I've found the painter tool has issues with the thinner shapes. For your example model you should have the two parts separated in CAD rather than relying on the painter, esp if you're not getting the correct 'color' penetration into the model. Or set your flex extruder to be the default infill for the whole model.
XL-5T, MK3S MMU3 || GUIDE: How to print with multiple-nozzlesizes do read updated replies || PrusaSlicer Fork with some flags removed || How Feasible is Printing PETG for PLA supports very
RE: Material Interlocking PRUSA XL
That worked!
Thx a lot!
bests, Christian
The Original Prusa XL can print true multi-material prints without the need for any purge or wipe tower.
Maybe that should be rephrased to '...print certain true...' - many filaments are not compatible with each other and do not stick - then you have to interleave or jigsaw them together. Incompatible filaments do generally need a wipe tower if they are both present on bottom or top layer.
It does work, here is a folding chessboard where TPU is used to hinge PLA sections.
This print does need a wipe tower - if you can call a 4mm wide 4mm tall strip a tower.
Cheerio,
RE: Material Interlocking PRUSA XL
Incompatible filaments do generally need a wipe tower if they are both present on bottom or top layer.
Why?
I thought the wipe tower is only necessary when using a MMU in case of switching filament because there is only one extruder (mk3s, ...)
bests, Christian
Incompatible filaments that do not 'grab' each other need to be flowing fully from the start of the extrusion, a wipe/purge helps to get the hotend up to printing pressure and without a tower there is nowhere for it to go on top and bottom layers - wipe to fill is mostly OK for changes at intermediate layers.
Compatible filaments do not generally need the extra help.
Cheerio,