Best practises for multicolor printing with one nozzle  

Re: Best practises for multicolor printing with one nozzle

2 options Arto,

Layer separation (different colours on different layers)

Colour separation, (different sections of the layer in different colours.

I do both with Slic3r
for layer separation I would create a model with say a level background and raised text

I would open a normal Mk3 Slic3r session, set the Z lift to some odd value to reduce confusion (I use .621 mm because it seems to work for me)
after slicing the model, I would look through the layers using Slic3r Layer view and note at what layer level the model changes from background to letters, and then I would either use the ColorPrint application or use notepad++ to find the layer level at which I want the colour change to occur, and insert the filament change command (M600).

the reason I change the Z lift value is because the Z height changes in the G code, every time a Z lift occurs.

so say I wanted My colour change to occur at Z2.0 mm
Layer height was 0.2mm
and Z lift were set at 0.6mm then
If I search for Z2.00 in the G code, I will find that value at layer height 1.4mm, every time Z lift occurs... (Which would be the wrong place for the filament change command)

for Colour separation, I would open a normal Mk3 Slic3r session, and increment the number of extruders to the number of colours that I want to use, and then add

M600

in the tool change Gcode section under extruders

for my model I would create the model as separate elements (i Use 123D design, because I am a dinosaur)

I recently did a Demo business card I created a model 0.8mm thich, business card sized, and created the text that I wanted as a 0.2mm separate entity,
I embedded the text 0.2mm into the card bottom surface,
Copied the text and left it in the same place
then CUT one of the sets of text from the Card section of the model (This is not entirely necessary, as you can use modifiers but that's more difficult to think about)
I exported the two parts (Text and Card with text cutouts) as STL files,
then added the text to Scli3r
then choosing the Object, Settings option, I added the card using the load part option,
I now had the two parts loaded and aligned...
Still in the Object - settings menu, I clicked on the text part and selected Extruder 1, then clicked on the card part and selected extruder 2
and then saved the G code.

when the printer runs the G code, it will print the text with what ever colour filament you have loaded (Mine used Magenta) at the end of the text, the extruder will come to the Right hand side with the bed to the rear, and the sounder will bleep, while the display asks you yo click the button to unload the current filament, once the current filament is unloaded the display will ask you to confirm that has happened, so you click the button again.
the display will now ask you to insert the new filament (If you have the autoload option set, the filament will autoload, if not, you insert the filament and click the button whilst holding the filament in place, and the printer will attempt to load the new filament colour.

the extruder will attempt to extrude enough filament to purge the old colour. after a couple of moments the display will ask if the colour change is clear.. if so click the button to continue (grab the waste pile with pliers BUT DONT PULL IT OFF)
click the button to confirm colour change. and the extruder should squirt our a little more filament to prime the nozzle and move off, leaving the waste behind, attached to your pliers
the printer will now print the first layer of the card and continue...

I hope I have done all of the steps...

If one layer of colour is insufficient to get the contrast you require, you can make the colour insert thicker, but you have to change the colours for each colour for each layer. which is more juggling...

regards Joan

Re: Best practises for multicolor printing with one nozzle

click the button to confirm colour change. and the extruder should squirt our a little more filament to prime the nozzle and move off, leaving the waste behind, attached to your pliers

I have problem in this phase. Extruder squirt filament and move to print object. Usually this couple of centimeter tail sticks to nozzle and go to print. Sometimes it mess up the old print and spoil the print. I use Slic3r and this Prusa Color-print website for color exchange. Maybe there should be little code that extruder print after filament change to builtplate small purge layer and then go to print next color.

I saw nice video for this on Youtube for Simplyfy3D

Re: Best practises for multicolor printing with one nozzle

Printing an i-phone case and I want the letter to be flush on the back. I simply do an extrude cut with the letter on the i-phone case lets say 3 layers deep. Then add a 3 layer thick solid letter body to that recessed area. When I go to print, I print the letters first, change filaments, then print the case. Do I use two separate models. and for more issues you can visit hp printer offline windows 10 the experts will help you.