Multicolor single extruder test

thingiverse

Human: Model used to test multicolor printing with single extruder printer. # THIS IS AN EXPERIMENT # PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK The idea was straightforward: We can create multicolor prints on single extruder single filament printers using tools like ColorPrint. You set the Z layer height where you want the filament change, and the tool alters the G-Code. The printer prompts you for the change once it reaches the layer height. So.... How do I force the printer to stop mid-layer for the filament change so I can print one model within another? ie different model, different color/filament, same Z layer. **tl;dr setting, modeling, creation:** 1. Select Slic3r profile for MMU printer in order to allow "Tool change G-Code" entry 2. `Printer > Custom G-Code > Tool change G-Code` Enter M600 into the text area. * [M600 = pause for filament change](https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware/wiki/Supported-G-codes) 3. `Printer > Custom G-Code > End G-code` Remove the _"If not has wipe tower"_ code block. * This would pull the filament into the cooling tubes in case of MMU, which is not a case for this project. 4. Prepare model for the first color 5. Prepare model for the second color 6. **The models can NOT overlap**! * in tools like Tinkercad, you can simply create a copy of the first model, change it to "hole" and then substract it from the second by merging them 7. Slic3r setting: * `Printer > General >` Extruders = 2 * Leaving more extruders than you're going to use caused me an *"incomplete G-Code"* error * `Printer > Extruder 1, 2, ...` * I've copied setting from the single color profile as we practically have only one feeder and one extruder, so the Retraction options for MMU does not really apply * `Print > Multiple extruders > Wipe tower > Disable` * No need for wipe tower as the filament is changed manually 8. import both models into Slic3r and align them perfectly 9. set extruder associations * `right click on the model > settings` > Extruder = # 10. export G-Code **Printing:** * Please observe the process carefully during the print and stop it anytime you have an impression something went wrong. * You need to stand by the printer, as you'll have to change the filaments manually. * Color selection is up to you. Whatever filament you provide to the printer will be used. * There is something fishy at the end of the print. The model was completed, but the printer claimed it's not 100% done, thrown the filament out and performed few fishy moves, so I stopped the print manually. My suspicion is that *"Pull the filament into the cooling tubes."* G-Code in `Printer > Custom G-Code > End G-Code`, was the cause. UPDATE: It was the cause. After removing the section printer finished normally. * `Printer > Custom G-Code > Start G-code` Something could be tweaked in this section, as the printer creates a blob at start of the "Intro line". Just a minor thing, will work just fine if left as is. * Theoretically you can set extruder for different materials, so you could mix for example TPU and PLA, but you want to be careful about the bed/hotend temperatures and the transitions. Inspiration / How to https://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/print-tips-archive--f86/printing-2-color-with-slic3r-t15054.html#p73052 Skull stencil author http://www.chuckbauman.com/skulls-airbrushing-stencils.htm