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robinvice
(@robinvice)
Active Member
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:

 

Posted by: @robinvice

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

Posted : 10/10/2023 4:12 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
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

Posted : 10/10/2023 6:56 pm
robinvice liked
robinvice
(@robinvice)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
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

Posted : 10/10/2023 8:01 pm
Hello
(@hello)
Noble Member
RE: Printing Integrated Light Pipes

 

Posted by: @robinvice

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

Posted : 10/10/2023 9:18 pm
robinvice
(@robinvice)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Printing Integrated Light Pipes

Hello Hello,

That's just what I was looking for, thank you and JoanTabb so much!
robin

Posted : 11/10/2023 12:51 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
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

Posted : 11/10/2023 1:07 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
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

Posted : 11/10/2023 1:08 am
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