Are seems between colors a weak point?
I'm planning on printing a box based on https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/39729-tool-box-parametric Will the seams at the color change be significant weak points? Even the infill doesn't cross the color boundary.
RE: Are seems between colors a weak point?
From my experience yes, the interface is separable much easier, it can snap off where a single-color solid wall would have to be broken with significantly more force. It depends a lot on the length (area) of the interface though, if you have a cube with two halves of different colors, it will be virtually inseparable anyway.
I would try to print a small part of the base and wall as a test - the model is quite big so the wall is not really thin imho.
If you find out it actually is a problem, one possible solution would be to put a thinner piece of the model "inside" in single color and only have the other color on the outside.
RE: Are seems between colors a weak point?
The first image I am posting shows what I considered to be a mistake: the first layer of the print had too much overlap between the black and the white PLA perimeters causing the black PLA color to be seen through the white PLA. The second image shows a corrected first layer calibration of the z-axis (the back right corner needed an adjustment of 20 micrometers) and is the quality I intended the first layer to be since the bottom of the first layer was the finished side of the piece.
In PrusaSlicer under Print Settings / Advanced, you might be able to set the extrusion width of the perimeters as well as the overlap so that the perimeters of the two color fields overlap and effectively fuse together more completely; or even redraw the project in such a manner that the two color fields have more admixture.
RE: Are seems between colors a weak point?
Yes, whenever there is a discontinuity, there will be weakness.
I've noticed this on some MMU2S prints, although when doing PLA next to PLA it's always been acceptable.
I would not try PLA next to PETg, however.
RE: Are seems between colors a weak point?
You can draw the object as a composite to fuse adjacent layers together. The image shows a black solid in the center of the solid which can be either color as you desire. The top layers and the bottom layers will fuse to this central plate. The strength can be calculated in relation to the cross sectional area of this central plate and the pattern on the outside can be considered decoration.
RE: Are seems between colors a weak point?
Thanks for the suggestions. I printed a few test pieces and so far they're pretty doggone strong. I don't think I'm going to have an issue with this print.