Printing Integrated Light Pipes
Hi all you smarter-than-me 3D printer people,
I'm wondering if the MK3S+ with an MMU3 is capable of printing a solid opaque object that has a transparent/translucent light pipe running through it from top to bottom.
I know it can be accomplished by printing two parts (the opaque one and the transparent one) separately and then assembling them together afterwards, but what if the light pipe is of such a shape as to prevent post-printing assembly?
Just to provide a visual,below is an image of a nut and bolt made of two different filaments (image borrowed from Printables.com, contributed by k.makesstuff@kmakesstuff. Thanks for all your good work!):
In this case, the nut & bolt could be assembled after printing separately, but what if their shapes prevented it. How would it be painted in PrusaSlicer? I see how to easily paint surfaces, but how can I paint a bit that runs through the object with one filament, surrounded by a different filament? How can I print both pieces simultaneously where the nut is opaque and the bolt is translucent?
Thanks!
robin
Best Answer by Hello:
Hi JoanTabb,
OK, I see what you've done. Very straightforward. Easy to follow.
However, when I create an object in SolidWorks and export it as 3mf or stl or two separate stl's, and open in PrusaSlicer 2.6.1, I don't see how to setup multiple extruders.
In your examples, there's an item at the bottom of the dropdown menu (after right-clicking on the stl's in the Print Settings pane) called "Change Extruder." I don't see that in my menu. Do I need to let PrusaSlicer know I've got an MMU3, or multiple extruders in some other configuration window?
Thanks again!
robin
Yes prusa slicer needs to know you have an mmu where it says the printer on the right hand side click that then click add preset or add printer then scroll down on the big window to where it says mmu3 tick that then finish all explained in mmu handbook
RE: Printing Integrated Light Pipes
Try this for size.
the project file contains a nut model and a bolt model
Each is coupled with a different extruder on the MMU2 or MMU3
Like this
Lightguide Bolt demo
alternatively if you want to have say a triangular light tube through a bolt, you could add a triangular modifier and associate the triangle modifier to the clear filament extruder
Like this
Triangle Lightguide Bolt demo
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Printing Integrated Light Pipes
Hi JoanTabb,
OK, I see what you've done. Very straightforward. Easy to follow.
However, when I create an object in SolidWorks and export it as 3mf or stl or two separate stl's, and open in PrusaSlicer 2.6.1, I don't see how to setup multiple extruders.
In your examples, there's an item at the bottom of the dropdown menu (after right-clicking on the stl's in the Print Settings pane) called "Change Extruder." I don't see that in my menu. Do I need to let PrusaSlicer know I've got an MMU3, or multiple extruders in some other configuration window?
Thanks again!
robin
RE: Printing Integrated Light Pipes
Hi JoanTabb,
OK, I see what you've done. Very straightforward. Easy to follow.
However, when I create an object in SolidWorks and export it as 3mf or stl or two separate stl's, and open in PrusaSlicer 2.6.1, I don't see how to setup multiple extruders.
In your examples, there's an item at the bottom of the dropdown menu (after right-clicking on the stl's in the Print Settings pane) called "Change Extruder." I don't see that in my menu. Do I need to let PrusaSlicer know I've got an MMU3, or multiple extruders in some other configuration window?
Thanks again!
robin
Yes prusa slicer needs to know you have an mmu where it says the printer on the right hand side click that then click add preset or add printer then scroll down on the big window to where it says mmu3 tick that then finish all explained in mmu handbook
Please help me out by downloading a model it's free and easy but really helps me out https://www.printables.com/@Hello_474427/models
RE: Printing Integrated Light Pipes
Hello Hello,
That's just what I was looking for, thank you and JoanTabb so much!
robin
RE: Printing Integrated Light Pipes
in Prusa Slicer, select 'Configuration'
then select 'configuration Wizard'
then Select 'Prusa FFF'
then choose the printer which most represents yours
I use Mk3S + MMU3
I Believe it works for both MMU2 and MMU3
then choose 'Finish'
this should result in new entries in your available printer list, for your MMU2
this will enable the five extruders for you.
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Printing Integrated Light Pipes
Oooops, Late to the Party... 🙂
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK