A brand new community-developed challenge referred to as PolyDye gives FDM 3D printer customers an alternate strategy to multi-color printing. The system provides inkjet printing capabilities to current FDM printers by incorporating an inkjet cartridge that applies coloration on to printed objects.
The PolyDye {hardware} setup consists of a major board, daughter board, a number of 3D printed parts together with an inkjet cartridge holder, and related wiring. Whereas the system is designed to be appropriate with numerous FDM printers, present performance is restricted to machines working Marlin-based firmware.
The printing course of requires customers to organize their 3D fashions via a number of steps, together with processing via OrcaSlicer with a customized profile and producing particular inkjet printing directions. The system applies ink to every printed layer as it’s produced, utilizing commonplace translucent filament as the bottom materials.
Beta testing items of the PolyDye system are presently obtainable for buy at $199. The challenge builders plan to launch DIY recordsdata via GitHub, permitting customers to construct their very own items utilizing publicly obtainable documentation.
The expertise gives potential benefits over conventional multi-filament coloration printing strategies, which generally require a number of filament modifications and generate waste via wipe towers. The PolyDye system simplifies the coloring course of by utilizing commonplace inkjet cartridges and translucent filament as its solely consumable supplies.
supply: hackaday.com