The way to Print in Multi-Coloration with a Single Extruder

After I first began working at MatterHackers all of my mates have been so intrigued by the idea of 3D printing, I might typically get the query, “What does one thing 3D printed appear to be?”. So I made a decision to make myself a key chain I might placed on my automobile keys; one thing I might simply seize out of my bag when individuals requested me. The difficulty was, I’m a really colourful particular person. I didn’t need my key chain to be only a single shade, I needed it to be 5 colours. However, I used to be solely a novice, and the printer I used to be utilizing solely had one extruder. 

With a bit of little bit of chatter with the tech group, they knowledgeable me that with the facility of MatterControl, and a few work on my finish, I might have my colourful key chain. 

Women and gents, I did it! And with these easy directions, you may too!

Getting began with Multi-color printing:

Step 1- Open up MatterControl and examine the file you want to print. As soon as, you might be viewing your file, you will have to go to Layer View.

Choose Layer View, you’ll be prompted to generate the layers on your file. Hit ‘Generate’ and wait on your layers to load.

Step 2- As soon as your layers have generated. You’ll discover MatterControl exhibits you your print time. This is essential as a result of you’ll must take your print time and divide it by the quantity of colours you’ll be utilizing; granted you need the colours to be evenly distributed. 

My file right here, goes to take 93 minutes to print. For this demo, we’re going to use three colours. So which means, every shade will print for roughly 31 minutes. What you will wish to do is locate some type of timer that may provide you with a warning each 31 minutes. My selection is the helpful dandy timer that’s on my cellphone and it really works nice.

Step 3– Prep your print area, have all the colours you wish to use close by and know the order you wish to print them in. After you have your first shade loaded, hit print!

Step 4- You’ll want to start out your timer. However do not begin your timer proper while you hit print! You’ll wish to wait till you printer truly begins extruding, then you’ll begin your timer.

Step 5- So that you wait however, as soon as you might be at about one minute left you will need to do some prep. Choose ‘Settings & Controls’ in MatterControl. It’s key to have this up earlier than the next step.

Step 6- When your timer lastly goes off, you’ll choose the ‘Pause’ button.

When your print has paused you’ll then go to your Motion Controls and choose ‘Z+’ between 2-3 instances. You wish to be certain there may be not numerous time in between pausing your print and transferring your nozzle up. In any other case, you nozzle would possibly soften your print in that one space.

Swap the filament:

Step 7– It’s right now you’ll change your filament. Launch the extruder’s chilly finish leven and take away the present shade fully. Load your new shade. Make sure there aren’t any clogs and push the filament via the new finish till you see the colour change out the nozzle. 

Step 8- With the second shade swapped in, choose the ‘Resume Print’ button.

When you hit print you’ll restart your timer as soon as extra and look ahead to it to be up. You’ll undergo steps 4-8 for every shade till you might be accomplished! 

Now you may have your individual colourful key chain or no matter you select to print!