Multi-color printing different way
Hello!
I have somewhat odd wish: i would like to make a three color print: i would use first color for base then i'd print couple of letters on it. Each letter would be different color, but letters will be no more than 3-4 layers high, so that nozzle won't hit already printed parts. Now...i did this already with my ex delta, but on prusa mk2 i have a problem: auto bed leveling.I would make my print with three independent g-codes, of which first one will make bed leveling and start from zero, while others would have to do without bed leveling and start from 1mm height. Simplify3D will allow start and stop height setting, so that is not a problem.
So, the question is: can i drop out bed leveling on second and third print? Are calibrated bed level points remembered until power-off/make a new calibration or not? Will it print OK or "not necesarrily"?
Prusa's ColorPrint feature can do only with one color change on each height, so that's not an option.
OK; i know... i COULD make this (and more) with new multilocor kit, but... you guessed it: i DON'T have it and i can't afford it right now, so it's not an option, so any recommendations would be nice.
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Yes, if you leave out the G28 and G80 from start GCode, the printer will not home and do the 9-point calibration.
But be very careful with this...
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…
Re: Multi-color printing different way
That's what i meant to do, yes. But, as you said ("...be very careful with this...") Good that you pointed out about homing problem - ok, i won't turn off printer, but when changing filament Z can move somewhat, so re-homing might be a good idea...
I'm concerned what happens with leveling - does it stay calibrated or not...
I guess i'll have to try and see, right?
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Yes, it will stay levelled. Moving Z will not be a problem as this all X, Y and Z use absolute coordinates.
As long as you don't move things by hand, the printer will know the correct locations.
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Ok, thanks for answers. Wish me luck...
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Another option is to define multiple extruders in slic3r and define different colors for each. This only works when you split your model to have one model per color and define one extruder for one color.
You will have to change the color for each layer for the letters, but basically it is possible.
Check out these two clips:
How to configure this in slic3r:
How it prints:
I have already printed things the same way and it is working very good. The only manual thing to do is to change the filament for each layer. But if you have just a few layers it's bearable.
Design, Print, Repeat
Re: Multi-color printing different way
I see...
i think this can be even more simple that method with S3D, where i would have to make multiple g-code files and run them one-by-one (that's why i asked about leveling). Here it's only one g-code with pause for filament changes.
One question, maybe: how to split model? I guess i must do it with my modelling software (Fusion360)? Am i right: i should draw each part(color) as separate body and save it as stl file...? Correct?
Thanks!
Re: Multi-color printing different way
I see...
i think this can be even more simple that method with S3D, where i would have to make multiple g-code files and run them one-by-one (that's why i asked about leveling). Here it's only one g-code with pause for filament changes.
One question, maybe: how to split model? I guess i must do it with my modelling software (Fusion360)? Am i right: i should draw each part(color) as separate body and save it as stl file...? Correct?
Thanks!
The file I created was done in Fusion360 as well. Each part which should get a color was a component. Then I exported each component as a separat stl file. Then I imported them like it is done in the first video I linked.
Here is a picture of the print (not the best quality but the print came out quite good...)
Design, Print, Repeat
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Uau, great product! Congratulations! So, you made each color a few layers high, just enought that extruder nozzle doesn't bump into already printed part, i guess max. around 1mm, right?
I have silicone protector on my nozzle (from e3d-online), so i'm even more limited. I think i will have to remove it for such "complicated" prints. But it really helps keeping nozzle clean. No cleaning is needed since filament doesn't stick to silicone at all. It's pitty that such low-cost stuff isn't already included in the kit...
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Uau, great product! Congratulations!
Thanks! 🙂 it was a lot of fun and it came out quite good...
So, you made each color a few layers high, just enought that extruder nozzle doesn't bump into already printed part, i guess max. around 1mm, right?
I have silicone protector on my nozzle (from e3d-online), so i'm even more limited. I think i will have to remove it for such "complicated" prints. But it really helps keeping nozzle clean. No cleaning is needed since filament doesn't stick to silicone at all. It's pitty that such low-cost stuff isn't already included in the kit...
That's not necessary. Each layer which includes different colors forces a filament change as soon as the new color should be printed.
Checkout the video . There you can see that the printer goes to the "change filament" position after a color or a layer change. The colors will not be printed one after the other. So there will be no problem with any printer modifications, the layers will be printed one by one.
There's another video from the same user where you may see a little more details:
I am thinking about ordering this sock, too. So you would recommend it?
Design, Print, Repeat
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Aha, so filament,is changed in each layer... ok, more work, but better solution and certainly better finished product.
Thanks for explanation.
I absolutely reccomend sock. My bottom part of extruder/nozzle is still like it was installed just now. I always had problems with dirty nozzle because it often contaminates white prints... well, with sock not anymore!
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Aha, so filament,is changed in each layer... ok, more work, but better solution and certainly better finished product.
Thanks for explanation.
You're welcome!
Yes, it is a little bit more work, but for a few layers it is acceptable in my opinion.
I absolutely reccomend sock. My bottom part of extruder/nozzle is still like it was installed just now. I always had problems with dirty nozzle because it often contaminates white prints... well, with sock not anymore!
Thanks for the info! I'll give it a try 🙂
Design, Print, Repeat
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Could you do this the same way sequential printing works combined with multicolor/M600?
Jordan
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Hm..i think i don't quite understand what you mean...? M600 command is used for filament change: printer spits out old filament and starts to beep until you manually insert another filament - then continues to print.
Re: Multi-color printing different way
What I mean is somehow combine this sequential print feature:
http://manual.slic3r.org/advanced/sequential-printing
with the M600 command. So you could print your base layer then sequentially print each different color letter on top by inserting a M600 before each letter is printed to change filament color and avoid needing to change the filament after each layer.
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Aha...i think i know what you mean. In this case second color height should be only a copule of layers high to prevent nozzle from hitting already printed letter - downside of silicone socket is that space around nozzle is really low.
I will think about it and see if it's possible, thanks for the tip!
Re: Multi-color printing different way
Aha...i think i know what you mean. In this case second color height should be only a copule of layers high to prevent nozzle from hitting already printed letter - downside of silicone socket is that space around nozzle is really low.
I will think about it and see if it's possible, thanks for the tip!
I haven't actually tried this, just a thought. I'm curious if it will work and ill give it a try. I will let you know if I have any success.
Jordan