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The Best Dual Extruder 3D Printers in 2022 (for Dual 3D Printing and Multicolor 3D Printing)
Welcome to the Thomas guide to the best dual extruder 3D printers 2022. Thomas has been connecting North American industrial buyers and suppliers for more than 120 years. When you purchase products through our independent recommendations, we may earn an affiliate commission.
3D printing in itself is a progressive technology that is extremely useful in many businesses, but it's also a fun activity for DIY hobbyists too. With rapid advancements taking place in the sector regularly, we have seen a lot of impressive things from this industry and can expect to see a lot more in the near future.
Dual extruder 3D printers can produce colorful and creative projects with two different filamentsImage credit: Shutterstock/Alex_Traksel
Although it's been around for a long time in the professional 3D printing world, one of the newer technologies introduced to at-home 3D printers is dual extrusion which allows users to print with two filaments at the same time, meaning you can mix colors and multiple materials—from PETG, ABS, PLA, and carbon, to metal, wood fill, and multicolor printing filaments—to produce extremely creative projects that can even be created simultaneously.
What is a Dual Extruder 3D Printer?
Dual extrusion in 3D printing refers to the art of printing using different materials, whether you choose different colors or different types of filaments with various effects, such as plastic filaments with metallic, or wooden effects.
This gives you the ability to make superior and more impressive products, and many professionals, as well as 3D printing enthusiasts, and those who own small businesses, i.e. Etsy shops selling 3D printed creations, swear by it.
Dual Extruder Printer—Buying Guide
3D printers with dual extruding capacity are, understandably, slightly pricier than single extruders, but it is a major upgrade from the single types, and there are many dual extruder 3D printers on the market at reasonable prices of around US$300-US$400. Since you’ll be spending quite a bit on this impressive piece of equipment, you want to make sure you’re buying the best one for your needs.
Types of Dual Extruder 3D Printers
Though most dual printing machines allow for multi-color printing with different materials, there are two main types of dual extruder 3D printers available:
Independent dual extruder system
IDEX printers have two print heads and two nozzles with each print head able to either mirror the other in mirror mode, duplicate items with duplication mode, or print two completely separate objects.
Dependant dual extruders
These dual extruders have two extruders that are connected and move together to create one object using two different filaments. Two spools are loaded on the 3D printer and the printer alternates using them. These printers have the key advantage of reducing printing time since more print material can be produced than with just a single print head.
Dual Extrusion Printers—Considerations
Here are some other factors to consider why trying to find the best dual extruder 3D printers for your needs.
Print bed
As with regular 3D printers, print beds in dual extruder printers come in heated or non-heated options. A 3D printer with a heated print bed is, understandably, usually more expensive than a non-heated option but a heating plate can offer better print quality by keeping the bottom layers warm and reduce the chances of your prints warping during the printing process.
Print heads
Whereas a regular 3D printer just has one print head, a dual extruder printer will have more than one print head, with either two extruders, and sometimes even three. Some dual extruder 3D printers might have just one print head but a dual nozzle that can use two separate filaments on one print. A dual nozzle is great for printing an object in several materials or colors.
Print volume
Print volume, also referred to as the printing volume or the build volume, is how big an object you can build on any given printer.
For an at-home printer, projects that would need a huge build volume would likely involve a printing process that would see the object printed off in separate parts and then stuck together afterward. The average size of a 3D printer with a larger build plate would be around 300 x 300 x 400mm.
Calibration
If you’re a beginner to the world of 3D printing, a printer with automatic calibration is highly recommended. As with most aspects in 3D printing, calibrating a 3D printer has a learning curve and an automatic calibration feature can save you time and hassle and do the hard work for you.
Other factors
Another consideration you may want to keep in mind is cost. A dual extruding printer will be priced higher than a regular single head printer, plus maintenance costs will be higher, too, because there are more parts to this machine. In addition, if you’ll be working with various filaments at the same time (or even the same filament but with two extruders), factoring in higher costs for different materials is also a must.
Some machines even come with an added laser engraver feature or you could buy a compatible laser engraver to use with it. Whatever you’re after in a dual extruding 3D printer, our below list has some of the best models on the market to suit an array of styles, needs, and budgets.
Thomas’ Top Picks for the Best Dual Extruder 3D Printers 2022
We've scoured around and found some of the best 3D dual extruders worth taking a look at.
Best-Rated Dual Extruder 3D Printer: BIBO 3D Dual Extruder Printer | Buy Now
Best Dual Independent Extruder 3D Printer: TENLOG TL-D3 Pro Dual Extruder 3D Printer | Buy Now
Best Enclosed Dual Extruder 3D Printer: FlashForge Dreamer Dual Extruder 3D Printer | Buy Now
Best Cheap Dual Extruder 3D Printer: Sovol SV02 3D Printer | Buy Now
Best Professional Dual Extruder 3D Printer: Raise3D E2 Desktop 3D Printer | Buy Now
Best Quiet Dual Extrusion Machine: JG AURORA Artist-D Pro IDEX 3D Printer | Buy Now
Scroll down to read more about our top picks for the best dual extruder 3D printers according to thousands of happy buyers.
*Prices listed in this article were as shown in US$ on Amazon.com (USA) as of April 2022
1. Best-Rated Dual Extruder 3D Printer—BIBO 3D Printer Dual Extrusion
A great printer well under the US$1000 mark, is this BIBO dual extruding 3D printer; a fully enclosed model with a very sturdy frame, full-color touch screen, WiFi capabilities, a demountable glass bed, and a low filament detector to let you know when you need to replace it before it's too late.
You can operate it via your phone or tablet if you so wish, and, in addition to printing two colors, it also has the ability to print two objects at the same time. This printer can print in two colors or filament materials, and can also print the dissolvable filament for support material.
One five-star review reads, "The dual extruder function is great, I'm able to use PLA filament and a soluble filament to print out some gears that impressed my friends and coworkers.
.. Customer support is AMAZING. Every problem I had is solved very promptly and professionally, even though my printer is well out of their warranty."
Specifications
Build volume: 8.4 x 7.3 x 6.3 inches
Layer resolution: 0.05-0.3mm
Filament compatibility: multiple filaments including ABS, PLA, HIPS, TPU, PETG, nylon, PC, carbon fiber
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US$579, Amazon2. Best Independent Dual Extruder 3D Printer—TENLOG Independent Dual Extrusion 3D Printer with Dual Nozzle
Whereas other dual extruding printers have one nozzle that can print from two pre-loaded filament spools, a 3D printer with independent dual extruding capabilities, like this model from TENLOG, has two separate nozzles, each with its own spool, that print at the same time but independently from each other.
This dual nozzle printer can print a duplicate in one go with its duplication or mirroring print modes, in the same or multiple colors, and many customers were left impressed with the high print quality this printer offers.
One happy buyer who described himself as a "3D printing veteran", wrote that the printer is "amazing" and that its print quality is "gorgeous", while another reviewer added "the touch screen and print quality are excellent."
Specifications
Build volume: 11.8 x 11.8 x 13.8 inches
Print speed: 10-150mm/s
Layer thickness: 0.1-0.4mm
Filament compatibility: PVA, TPU, ABS, PLA, nylon
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US$499.99, Amazon3. Best Enclosed Dual Extruder 3D Printer—FlashForge Dreamer Dual Extruder 3D Printer
The Dreamer by FlashForge is a fan favorite for many reasons; its fully enclosed design and sleek look, WiFi connectivity, user-friendly and high-res color touch screen, built-in 4G memory, full manufacturer's warranty, FlashForge's superior customer service, and, of course, it's dual extruder capabilities.
In addition, some consider this dual extrusion printer to be a professional piece of kit at the price of more beginner-level 3D printers and its large printing volume helps users get creative.
"This printer is the best bang for your buck to create large, very high-quality prints," one happy buyer reviewed. "[It] has a very high quality, well planned/built enclosure, which you won't find in many printers at this price. It even has two filament spool holders inside the enclosure."
Specifications
Build volume: 230 x 150 x 150 mm
Print speed: “100 micron and can really go to 75 micron at slower printing speed” (as per one customer)
Resolution: 0.1-0.2mm
Filament compatibility: ABS, PVA, PLA,
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US$699, Amazon4. Best Cheap Dual Extruder 3D Printer—Sovol SV02 3D Printer
Great for beginners, this dual extrusion 3D printer from Sovol with large print volume capacity comes 95% pre-assembled so you can get to printing pretty much straight out of the box.
Its full-metal body is stable and made to last, and the touch-screen is user-friendly.
With an impressive build volume, and the ability to print in two colors (or two types of filament), you'd be hard-pressed to find another 3D printer with the same capabilities at this price. In addition, you could buy an extra kit that will turn this thing into a laser engraving machine too if you’d like to add that something special that laser engraving can bring to your projects.
"I purchased it for the dual extrusion capability, and the large build area," wrote one buyer. "I was very impressed with the smoothness of this printer. The only sound during operation is the sound from the fans." Another happy purchaser helpfully added that the "dual extrusion is awesome, but for most prints, you will waste a lot of filament with the purge tower due to the shared hot end. It is a necessary evil."
Specifications
Build volume: 240 x 280 x 300 mm
Print precision: ±0.
1mm
Layer thickness: 0.1-0.4mm
Filament compatibility: can support material including PLA, ABS, PETG, WOOD, TPU
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US$359, Amazon5. Best Professional Dual Extruder 3D Printer—Raise3D E2 3D Printer
For a professional 3D printing matching (with a price tag to match), the Raise3D is actually rather simple to use and even easier to set up. It has an auto bed leveling system and will guide you through the offset calibration system via a video.
It has an intuitive user interface with a large 7-inch touchscreen, and also many other features such as independent dual direct-drive extruders, a filament run-out sensor, resume-printing function, WiFi connectivity, and a live, built-in camera so you can monitor your prints remotely.
There's even a HEPA filter to clear any harmful and annoying fumes. It's compatible with almost any filament available.
"This is my second dual-extruder printer," wrote one thrilled customer, "and compared to all of the less expensive units, the difference is night and day... Where the less expensive printers leave you feeling like the printer itself is more of a prototype, this one screams quality polished product."
Specifications
Build volume: 11.6 x 9.4 x 9.4 inches
Minimum layer height: 20 microns (0.02 – 0.25 mm)
Precision: 0.78125, 0.78125, 0.078125 micron
Filament compatibility: practically all of them (PLA, ABS, HIPS, PC, TPU, TPE, Nylon, PETG, ASA, PP, PVA, glass fiber infused, carbon fiber infused, metal fill, wood fill)
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US$3,499, Amazon6. Best Quiet Dual Extrusion Machine—JG AURORA Artist-D Pro IDEX 3D Printer
With super quiet functioning so that you can leave it printing all night if needed without waking up the whole household, the Artist-D Pro 3D printer by JG AURORA has an IDEX system, an ejectable nozzle for easy replacement, changes, and maintenance, and an industrial-grade linear rail for smooth and practically friction-free precision.
It provides the option to change to an optical limit switch, and, as a step up from the Artist-D, has a color touch screen. There are power-resume and filament runout detector functions and duplicate as well as mirror printing options.
One customer with a lot of experience in 3D printing with industrial printers felt that this printer is “the best desktop printer I have ever purchased,” and added, “it has features that my more expensive desktop printers do not have… It has been printing since it showed up at my door, well-needed production parts.”
Specifications
Build volume: 300 x 300 x 340mm build plate
Precision: up to 0.001 mm
Filament compatibility: PLA, TPU, PETG, PVA
BUY NOW:
US$599, AmazonThe BIBO 3D Printer (US$579, Amazon) is a great foray into the world of dual extruding, but for something a bit more economical, the price-performance ratio of the Sovol SV02 3D printer (US$359, Amazon) is impressive too.
We hope our review of the best dual Extruder 3D printers has been helpful and you found the best dual extrusion printer for your needs to get creative and print objects in multiple colors, shapes, and sizes, and perhaps even add laser engraving to the mix too. For more 3D printers and other 3D printing suppliers, including 3D printer filaments suppliers, additive manufacturing suppliers, 3D photographic printing services, and 3D sand printing additive manufacturing, consult our additional guides, or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform.
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The 9 Best Dual Extruder 3D Printers for Multi Material Printing – Clever Creations
Dual-extruder 3D printers are an excellent solution for multi-color and multi-material 3D printing.
You don’t need to swap out filaments for a color change or limit yourself to printing with only a single material at a time. In a dual extrusion printing process, you get two entirely separate extruders for printing with multiple filaments.
If you decide to buy a dual extruder 3D printer, you’ll encounter terms like IDEX system, dual print-head system, and more. It can get quickly confusing to select the right printer for your needs, and you might end up getting one that is not the best fit for you.
In this article, we’ve created a list of the best dual extruder 3D printers that are available for you to buy right now and sorted them into different categories to make your buying decision a little bit easier.
Read on to understand more about these machines and how to choose the best dual extruder 3D printer for your needs.
| Dual Extruder 3D Printer | Category | Type | Price (~) | Best Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sovol SV02 | Best under $500 | Single hot end | $359 | Sovol3D |
| Flashforge Dreamer | Best under $500 | Dual hot end | $449 | Flashforge |
| TENLOG TL-D3 Pro | Best under $1000 | IDEX | $699 | Amazon |
| Flashforge Creator Pro 2 | Best under $1000 | IDEX | $649 | Flashforge |
| QIDI Tech i-Fast | Best prosumer | Dual hot end | $2299 | Amazon |
| Ultimaker S3 | Best prosumer | Dual hot end | $4725 | MatterHackers |
| BCN3D Sigma D25 | Best professional | IDEX | $3995 | MatterHackers |
| Raise3D Pro 3 | Best professional | Dual hot end | $5249 | MatterHackers |
| Ultimaker S5 | Best professional | Dual hot end | $6355 | MatterHackers |
What is a Dual Extruder 3D Printer?
A dual extruder 3D printer is a machine that has two extruders, as the name suggests.
These extruders can be used to print with different colors or different materials simultaneously. This way, you don’t have to swap out filaments every time you want to change the color of your print.
You can also use dual extruders to print with multiple materials at the same time, for example, printing with both ABS and TPU filaments in a single 3D print. This opens up a lot of possibilities for interesting prints that wouldn’t be possible with a single extruder printer.
In this article, we’ve covered three types of different dual extrusion 3D printers: Single hot end setup, Dual hot end extrusion, and Independent Dual Extruder system (IDEX).
The single hot end setup is the least complex. It gives you the benefits of dual extrusion 3D printers without actually having a second print head or a complex motion system.
The dual hot end setup incorporates a second print head next to your primary hot end, and both hot ends move together.
You can assign different materials for each hot end, effectively giving you the capabilities of printing with two 3D printers, albeit on a single print bed.
One of the best and the most practical applications of dual extruders is the IDEX style of 3D printer. These printers have two independent print heads that can be controlled and moved separately. This gives you a lot of control over the printing process and opens up a lot of possibilities for complex prints.
What is the Benefit of a Dual Extruder 3D Printer?
A dual extruder 3D printer triumphs over the regular single extruder 3D printer in many ways. You do not need to swap out any filaments mid-print for any color changes, leading to a faster print speed.
You can print with multiple materials simultaneously with a dual extruder printer. You can use one print head to print the outer shell of the model, while the secondary hot end will print the infill with a more robust material. Similarly, you can use filaments with different colors to print a colorful model.
IDEX printers give you the added benefits of printing modes. You can print multiple objects simultaneously with the duplication mode and print a mirrored version of your design with the mirror print mode. It leads to increased productivity and is useful for 3D printing larger batches of objects.
The last and probably one of the most popular benefits of dual extruder 3D printers is their ability to print soluble supports. You can use PVA or HIPS filament in your secondary extruder to print water dissolvable supports. It gives you the freedom to print complex objects and significantly saves post-processing time, as it takes away the need to remove supports manually.
The Best Dual Extruder 3D Printers
Sovol SV02
Best under $500
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AmazonSovol3D
The Sovol SV02 is an excellent budget dual extruder 3D printer. It features a Y-shaped, two-in, one-out single print head. It is a clever way to carry out multi-filament printing without adding too many extra 3D printer costs.
The SV02 has a decent printing volume and a dual Z-axis design for better printing accuracy. Its textured glass bed helps with first-layer adhesion and makes the removal of prints easier.
Its mainboard features TMC 2208 stepper drivers for a silent 3D printing process. You also have the option to install a BLTouch auto-leveling sensor as an upgrade, taking away the need for manual bed leveling.
Additionally, you can buy a mixing hot end that lets you mix two different colors simultaneously. This feature gives a lot of room for fun experimentation and creative 3D prints.
The SV02 is an excellent fit for schools to print colorful educational models and for beginners and amateurs users who want to experiment with dual extruder 3D printing without breaking the bank.
Standout Features
- 2-in-1-out hot end
- Optional color mixing
- Dual Z-axis
Technical Details | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 280 x 240 x 300 mm |
| Dual extrusion setup | Single hot end |
| Max hot end temperature | 260°C |
| Bed leveling | Manual |
| Connectivity | SD Card or Data Cable |
| Compatible materials | PLA, TPU, HIPS, ABS, PETG, WOOD |
What We Like
- Lightweight hot end
- Silent 3D printing
- Can mix two colors
Could Be Better
- Inconsistent print quality
- Occasional filament jams
Find Sovol SV02 at
AmazonSovol3D
Flashforge Dreamer
Best under $500
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AmazonFlashforgeMatterHackers
The Flashforge Dreamer is one of the most popular dual extruder 3D printers in the market that comes with some elegant features for easy multi-material 3D printing.
It comes fully assembled, and you can get started with 3D printing on it within 30 minutes of unboxing the printer.
With the Dreamer, you get two print heads with a direct-drive setup that can help you print a wide variety of materials with ease. The fully enclosed design prevents any harmful 3D printer fumes from leaving the printer and aids considerably with printing ABS. It includes an aluminum heated print bed for a more even heat distribution on the print surface.
The dual extruder design does result in a slight reduction in the build volume of the 3D printer, however, and you get a relatively small print area for the price. Some users also find the bundled FlashPrint slicing software limiting in terms of features.
Nonetheless, considering that the Dreamer is primarily aimed towards beginners, it does an excellent job in the user convenience and accessibility department. It is a good choice for educational institutes and amateur 3D printer users who want a plug-n-play solution for their multi-color and multi-material printing needs.
Standout Features
- Fully enclosed print chamber
- Aluminum build plate
- Wi-Fi connectivity
Technical Details | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 230 x 150 x 140 mm |
| Dual extrusion setup | Dual hot end |
| Max hot end temperature | 240°C |
| Bed leveling | Assisted Manual |
| Connectivity | USB cable, SD card, Wi-Fi |
| Compatible materials | PLA, TPU 95A, ABS, PETG |
What We Like
- Stable printing area
- Beginner-friendly
- Plug-n-play functionality
Could Be Better
- Small build volume
Find Flashforge Dreamer at
AmazonFlashforgeMatterHackers
TENLOG TL-D3 Pro
Best under $1000
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Amazon
The Tenlog TL-D3 Pro is a rare dual extruder 3D printer to feature an IDEX system under $1000.
It has two independent extrusion systems that move independently and let you print in mirroring print modes and duplicating modes.
You get a linear rail precision guide on the X-axis to support the IDEX system and a sturdy metal frame to deliver accurate printing quality. The tempered glass heated print bed gives excellent bed adhesion, and the silent motherboard with TMC 2208 and TMC 2225 stepper drivers delivers a quiet 3D printing experience.
The Tenlog TL-D3 Pro is a great dual extruder 3D printer that provides a unique mix of features at an affordable price. If you’re someone who has the need for batch 3D printing in a semi-professional setup, or you want an IDEX 3D printer on a budget, the TL-D3 Pro is a solid option.
Standout Features
- Multiple printing modes
- X-axis linear rail
- IDEX system
Technical Details | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 300 x 300 x 350 mm |
| Dual extrusion setup | IDEX |
| Max hot end temperature | 300°C |
| Bed leveling | Manual |
| Connectivity | SD card, USB 2. 0 |
| Compatible materials | TPU, PVA, PLA, ABS, HIPS, WOOD, PETG, FLEXIBLE |
What We Like
- Easy to assemble
- Silent 3D printing
- Wide material compatibility
Could Be Better
- Open-frame design
Find TENLOG TL-D3 Pro at
Amazon
Flashforge Creator Pro 2
Best under $1000
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AmazonFlashforgeGeekbuyingAliExpress
While the aforementioned Flashforge Dreamer is suited for beginners and amateur users, the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is aimed more towards the professional user base. The Creator Pro 2 is a fully enclosed 3D printer with a similar level of user convenience, but now with an upgraded independent dual extruder (IDEX) system.
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 has multiple printing modes that let you print mirrored designs, duplicate your models for faster 3D printing, and even print with soluble support materials for complex and intricate 3D designs.
The heated print bed and the enclosed design further expand the material compatibility of the printer, letting you print with PLA, ABS, HIPS, and PVA.
The Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is a superb dual extruder 3D printer for industry professionals and hobbyists alike. You get a robust build quality, an IDEX system, ease of use, and excellent printing, all for a relatively low cost. In our book, it’s the best dual extruder 3D printer under $1000
Standout Features
- Fully enclosed design
- Residue scraping
- Easy to use touchscreen
Technical Details | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 200 x 148 x 150 mm |
| Dual extrusion setup | IDEX |
| Max hot end temperature | 240°C |
| Bed leveling | Manual |
| Connectivity | SD Card |
| Compatible materials | PLA, ABS, PVA, PETG |
What We Like
- Affordable IDEX printer
- Excellent print quality
- Great support team
Could Be Better
- Small printing volume
- Lacks air filters
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QIDI Tech i-Fast
Best prosumer
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The QIDI Tech i-Fast is not for the masses and is instead more positioned as a premium 3D printer for prosumers.
For almost $2300, you get a printer that comes with many high-end features and a large build volume (uncommon in dual-extruder 3d printers) to accommodate a wide variety of 3D designs.
Its heated print chamber measures 330 x 250 x 320 mm and is fully enclosed. For better printing with high-end materials like Nylon, Polycarbonate, and PolyPropylene, it can be heated up to 60°C. The motion system is fully supported with high-quality precision linear rails, and it has a dual Z-axis setup for increased accuracy.
The QIDI Tech i-Fast is a feature-packed dual extruder 3D printer for professional use case scenarios and printing high-end prototypes. Despite its high price, it still offers excellent value compared to similar printers in this price range. If you’re planning on adding an industrial machine to your workflow, the i-Fast is likely to be a perfect choice for your prototyping needs.
Standout Features
- Heated build chamber
- Extra all metal print-heads
- Large build volume
Technical Details | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 330 x 250 x 320 mm |
| Dual extrusion setup | Dual hot end |
| Max hot end temperature | 300 °C |
| Bed leveling | Manual |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB and SD Card |
| Compatible materials | PLA, Nylon, TPU, PETG, ABS, PC, Wood, CF |
What We Like
- Quiet 3D printing
- Prints ABS very well
- Retractable hot ends
Could Be Better
- Manual bed leveling
- Limited firmware support
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AmazonGeekbuying3DPrintersBay
Ultimaker S3
Best prosumer
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MatterHackers
The Ultimaker S3 is feature-packed and one of the best dual extruder 3D printers by Ultimaker.
It is for professional users who want a high-quality, compact printer that consistently delivers excellent print quality.
With the Ultimaker S3, you get a modest build volume of 230 x 190 x 200 mm. This is enough for most typical 3D prints but can be a limitation if your needs involve creating larger multi-color or multi-material objects.
The dual extruders on the Ultimaker S3 have swappable print cores that let you print with advanced materials if you need to. Over 200 materials are tried and tested on the S3, making it one of the most compatible dual extruder printers in terms of filaments.
Additional features include a 4.3-inch touchscreen with an easy-to-use UI, an onboard camera for remote monitoring, and an automatic bed leveling system to give you perfect bed adhesion and first layers every time.
The Ultimaker S3 is a premium 3D printer, and at a price point of over $4000, it is undoubtedly not for primary hobby purposes. The features it provides and the materials it supports are more geared towards industrial prototyping and end-component solutions for industries.
If you’re someone who fits in that bracket, the S3 is a good choice for your 3D printing needs.
Standout Features
- Swappable print cores
- Onboard camera
- Automatic bed leveling
Technical Details | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 230 x 190 x 200 mm |
| Dual extrusion setup | Dual hot end |
| Max hot end temperature | 280 °C |
| Bed leveling | Automatic |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
| Compatible materials | PLA, ABS, PETG, NylonX, TPU, PVA, PP, PC |
What We Like
- Excellent print quality
- Professional software support
- Wide material compatibility
Could Be Better
- Limited build volume
- Expensive replacement parts
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MatterHackers
BCN3D Sigma D25
Best professional
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MatterHackers
Improving on the R17 and R19 Sigma’s series of independent dual extruder (IDEX) 3D printers, BCN3D’s new Sigma D25 is a professional-grade 3D printer that comes in a new light gray color and with a desktop-sized footprint.
It features an independent extruder system, letting you print with multiple print modes and enhance your productivity.
The Sigma D25 includes stainless steel, precision linear rails on the X-axis, and a robust Z-axis designed for durability and maximum print accuracy. For better bed adhesion, its new aluminum heated build plate comes with a silicon thermal pad to evenly heat its area.
It also includes a new set of custom-made E3D hot ends coupled with Bondtech extruders that support a wide variety of materials and deliver a consistent 3D printing performance. The filament spools are neatly tucked within the printer frame itself, protecting them from any external debris and giving the printer a clean look.
BCN3D Sigma D25 aims to deliver the highest dual extrusion 3D printing in a clean-looking, easy-to-use package. The large build volume, IDEX system, and interface make it suitable for batch printing, print farms, and educational purposes.
Standout Features
- IDEX setup
- Built-in filament holders
- Large build volume
Technical Details | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 420 x 300 x 200 mm |
| Dual extrusion setup | IDEX |
| Max hot end temperature | 300°C |
| Bed leveling | Manual |
| Connectivity | SD card, Wifi, Ethernet |
| Compatible materials | PLA, PVA, PET-G, TPU, PP, PA |
What We Like
- Easy to use interface
- Great build quality
Could Be Better
- Manual bed leveling
- Limited Z-height
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MatterHackers
Raise3D Pro 3
Best professional
Check Price
MatterHackers
The Raise3D Pro 3 is one of the flagship 3D printers by the Raise3D team.
It builds upon the previous generation of the Pro 2 series of industrial 3D printers. Its improvements lie with its new dual extruder setup, interchangeable hot end, and airflow system to give you great 3D printing results every time.
The Pro 3 comes with a large build volume of 300 x 300 x 300mm. That volume is fully enclosed to isolate the print area from the external environment. Additionally, it includes a HEPA filtration system to keep away potantially unhealthy 3D printer fumes.
Its automatic bed leveling minimizes the calibration time required, resulting in improved productivity. The built-in ‘EVE intelligent assistant’, too, is a unique feature with the Pro 3 designed to locate and resolve any issues and give helpful feedback to the user.
The Raise 3D Pro 3 is for professional users who need a robust, large-sized 3D printer that lets you execute multi-material 3D printing on an industrial scale. You can use it to carry out batch 3D printing with advanced materials and end-use components without hassles.
Standout Features
- Airflow manager
- Interchangeable hot ends
- EVE Smart assistant
Technical Details | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 300 x 300 x 300 mm |
| Dual extrusion setup | Dual hot end |
| Max hot end temperature | 300°C |
| Bed leveling | Automatic |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, LAN, USB port |
| Compatible materials | PLA, ABS, HIPS, PC, TPU, TPE, PETG, ASA, PP, PVA, Nylon |
What We Like
- Professional build quality
- High repeatability
- Auto bed leveling
- Large filament compatibility
Could Be Better
- Large investment
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Ultimaker S5
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The Ultimaker S5 is the bigger brother of the Ultimaker S3, but with a larger build volume to utilize the benefits of dual extrusion 3D printing fully.
It is similar to the S3 in many aspects, but the additional upgrades and add-ons make it an automated industrial-level 3D printer.
The S5’s large build volume of 330 x 240 x 300 mm is suitable for big-sized objects, and it can be fully enclosed with an optional air management system to maintain a stable temperature in the printing area. This makes it more suitable as a Nylon 3D printer or to work with other high-temperature filaments.
To expand this 3D printer further, you can add a material station that takes up to six materials and automatically choose the required material for the current print without any user intervention.
The swappable print cores, retracting nozzles, and automatic bed leveling are the same as the S3, delivering a predictable and high-quality 3D printing experience each time.
The Ultimaker S5 is an excellent printer for industrial environments and can be upgraded to fulfill even more complex needs. It is our top pick for the best dual extruder 3D printer for professionals.
Standout Features
- Large build volume
- Additional upgrades
- Swappable print cores
Technical Details | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 330 x 240 x 300 mm |
| Dual extrusion setup | Dual hot end |
| Max hot end temperature | 280°C |
| Bed leveling | Automatic |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
| Compatible materials | PLA, ABS, PETG, NylonX, TPU, PVA, PP, PC |
What We Like
- Wide material compatibility
- Premium components
- Reliable
Could Be Better
- Pricy upgrades
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What to Look For When Buying a Dual Extruder 3D Printer
Dual extruder type
When you consider buying a dual extruder 3D printer, you’ll come across technologies such as the IDEX system, double hot ends, and a single Y-shaped hot end.
The IDEX system lets you simultaneously 3D print with two independently driven extruders and a hot end setup.The advantages of an IDEX system are the multiple printing modes that you get with it. You get to duplicate and mirror your models, effectively resulting in increased productivity.
If you look at the single hot end setup, you’ll notice that the hot end is much lighter, and you do not lose any printing area to a second print head. The downside, though, is that this setup is more likely to run into issues, as a single print head is used for multiple materials at a single time.
The most common and relatively more accessible dual extrusion system is double hot ends. You get two individual hot-ends and extruders, and each hot end can be configured to print a single material with maximum efficiency. However, two hot ends next to each other occupy extra space, cost more, and do not increase productivity like the IDEX system.
If you want a printer for maximum productivity and are looking to run it into print farms or to run multiple batches of prints, the best dual extruder 3D printer for you is an IDEX one.
In contrast, the dual hot end setup is more suitable for conventional dual extrusion 3D printing, where you do not need to print many parts.
Printing modes
While the single nozzle and the dual hot ends styles let you print with multiple materials and soluble supports, printing modes are truly available only on the IDEX style of dual extruder 3D printers.
There are four printing modes that come with dual extruder 3D printers – Mirror, duplication, soluble supports, and multi-material mode. The mirror mode lets you print symmetrical mirrored objects, and you can print the part and its inverse simultaneously. For example, shoes, gloves, and other things come in a couple but are symmetrically opposite.
Another helpful model is the duplication mode, which helps carry out batch prints. In duplication mode, both the hot ends repeat the same movements and produce identical copies of the original design. It drastically improves your productivity rates and is suitable for print farms.
The soluble supports and the multi-material modes are similar and not just available in the best dual extruder 3D printers; any dual extruder printer can do them. While the primary nozzle is used for the main filament, you can use the secondary nozzle with either soluble supports or a differently colored material.
Print Volume
The dual extruder design reduces the printing volume of any 3D printer due to the extra space the secondary extruder takes up. This results in a smaller printing volume on the Y-axis in dual extruder printers compared to a single extruder setup.
When you use print modes, too, you’ll realize that the print area is reduced considerably due to the second extruder’s size in mirror mode. Hence, in the case of dual extruder printing, it becomes more crucial to look at the actual printing volume that you’ll get.
If you need a bigger print size, you should look at the Raise3D Pro 3, Ultimaker S5, and the BCN3D Sigma D25. These printers come with a large print volume that gives you more freedom to take full advantage of their dual extrusion capabilities.
Print Speed
Even with the addition of a second hot end on the motion system, the printing speeds of dual extruder 3D printers are relatively unaffected. Powerful stepper motors and a rigid frame can compensate for the added weight of the hot end.
Almost all of the 3D printers in this list can comfortably print at around 60-100 mm/s of printing speeds, while travel speeds go up to 200 mm/s. These speeds give you a good balance between print quality and lead times.
If you consider the other benefits of dual extruder 3D printers, you’ll realize that the printing modes lead to a considerable increase in overall productivity. The ability to print with two print heads simultaneously easily triumphs the faster printing speeds of any other 3D printer.
Filament Compatibility
Ensuring that your 3D printer is compatible with many filaments is one of the primary things you need to consider while buying any 3D printer. More so with dual extruder 3D printers due to their second print head.
The second print head is helpful for printing soluble supports. If you’re getting a dual extruder printer specifically for printing with soluble filaments such as PVA and HIPS, you should check whether or not it is compatible with these materials.
Every printer in this list is equipped to print with these materials. And some of the dual extruder 3D printers like the Ultimaker S3, S5, Raise3D Pro 3 go beyond and let you swap your print heads for printing with specific materials, thus increasing their material compatibility.
Enclosure
A 3D printer enclosure plays a crucial role with dual extruder 3D printers. The isolated printing area on enclosed 3D printers lets you print with tricky materials such as ABS filament and keeps 3D printing fumes within the printer body itself.
Aside from the Sovol SV02 and the Tenlog TL-D3, all other dual extruder 3D printers come with at least a partially enclosed design. And with the Creator Pro 2, you get the benefits of both; you can choose to keep the printer open on the top while printing with PLA and fully enclose it when you want to print with ABS.
The Ultimaker S5 goes a step beyond its airflow management system, however, the QIDI Tech i-Fast is the only dual extruder 3D printer on the list with an actively heated build chamber. This ensures that you get the best print quality and that the printer is compatible with a wide variety of materials.
Warranty
Warranty is often an overlooked factor when buying dual extruder 3D printers. You need to carefully evaluate the warranty conditions and everything that is covered within it. Some manufacturers offer a warranty on specific components for a short while, while the best dual extruder 3D printers tend to get comprehensive coverage of any manufacturing defect in the printer.
In this list, all the dual extruder 3D printers have at least a 12 months warranty period that covers any manufacturing defect from the company’s end.
FAQ
Are dual extruder printers faster?
Even the best dual extruder 3D printers are not necessarily faster than any other 3D printer.
However, the dual extrusion process leads to an overall increase in productivity due to the ability to print multiple copies at the same time.
Can dual extruder printers print with soluble filaments?
Yes, all of the dual extruder 3D printers in this list are capable of printing with soluble filaments.
How many extruders can a 3D printer have?
Most 3D printers have a limit of two extruders. However, depending on the electronics capabilities and general hardware setup, some 3D printers can have up to four or five extruders.
What is the advantage of a dual extruder printer?
The dual extruder setup allows for printing with multiple materials, which leads to an increase in productivity. Additionally, dual extruder printers are compatible with a wider range of filaments.
Do dual extruder printers have an enclosed build area?
No, dual extruder printers do not necessarily have an enclosed build area as it is not necessary for their operation.
However, some dual extruder printers do come with a partially or fully enclosed design.
Can you 3D print multiple objects at once?
Yes, dual extruder 3D printers can print multiple objects at once provided that they have the necessary build volume. However, the print quality may not be as good as if you were to print them one at a time.
What is the average price of a dual extruder 3D printer?
Dual extruder 3D printers generally cost more than single extruder 3D printers. However, the price difference is not as significant as it used to be and there are a number of excellent dual extruder 3D printers in the market at a wide range of prices.
You can find a good one, like the Flashforge Creator Pro 2, for around $650. The best dual extruder 3D printers, however, cost multiple thousands of dollars.
How do you print multiple filaments?
To print multiple filaments, you need to have a dual extruder 3D printer with two extruders. The filaments are then loaded into the extruders and the printer will print with both filaments simultaneously.
Conclusion
Dual extruder 3D printers let you print with multiple materials simultaneously, and that too with ease. Especially with the IDEX style of printers and the multi-material capabilities, you get the added benefits of various printing modes that increase your overall productivity and are great for the batch style of prints.
From the list, the best dual extruder 3D printer that stands out on the top is the Flashforge Creator Pro 2. It gives you the benefits of the IDEX system, is fully enclosed, and has broad material compatibility while still being affordable and accessible for professionals and hobbyists alike. Its only downside is a relatively small print volume.
If print area is your main criteria, you should consider the QIDI Tech i-Fast and the BCN3D Sigma D25 for their large print chambers in decent footprint size. These are professional dual extruder 3D printers with advanced features, excellent print quality, and great for industrial prototyping needs.
Let us know your thoughts on the list, and if you have anything else to add, feel free to comment below.
How to make a filament for multicolor 3D printing
News
there is a special multi-color filament. Unfortunately, the choice of such materials is limited, but they can be made independently. We'll tell you how it's done.
This idea, or at least this execution, comes from a blogger named David Gozzard. David is either building a zero-energy field manipulator to fight headcrabs, or a gravitsappa to traverse the Kessel Arc in less than twelve parsecs. In any case, for some reason he needed a model of the gravitational wave spectrogram, and in order to make the model clearer, the shades smoothly change from blue to yellow along with the height that displays the frequency.
An example of a commercially available rainbow filament
Is it possible to print something like this on a regular home 3D printer? Yes and no.
Some manufacturers offer multi-color filaments with a smooth gradation of shades, but it’s not a fact that this will be the desired gradient both in colors and in the length of the segments. That is, it is almost impossible to adjust the shades to specific sections of the model as needed. Instead, they will change randomly, as luck would have it.
David solved this problem by making a custom filament that was tailored to the correct model. The idea is extremely simple: before printing a product, you need to print a new filament using two consumables of the right colors. This is done in two steps. First, a spiral of the required length is printed with one filament, then exactly the same spiral is printed on top of it with another plastic. The trick is that the thickness of the spiral gradually, due to additional layers, changes in one direction for the first and in the opposite direction for the second material, so that in the end the proportion of two plastics is inversely proportional along the entire length of the spiral.
When the new filament is ready, it can be loaded back into the 3D printer and printed as desired. Plastics of two colors will mix in the hot end and give a gradual transition from blue to green, and then to yellow. Well, or depending on what initial colors you choose.
The most difficult (but not very difficult) task is modeling and aligning the two parts of the helix, which David did in Fusion 360 and PrusaSlicer. Most importantly, do not forget to set a decent Z-Hop so as not to touch the first spiral while laying the second.
How to do it:
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How to choose high quality filament
3D printing filament is the blood of your printer.
In this article, we will share some thoughts about plastic filaments with you. They will help you better understand what makes 1.75mm filament good and what to look for when you buy plastic supplies for your printer.
Extruder Schematic
There are many types of filaments. Most of the examples and considerations below in this article will apply directly to PLA and ABS plastics, but the principles described in the article apply, in most cases, to other types of plastics.
Both PLA and ABS are great materials and you can create amazing things with them. But it is probably better to try both of these types to understand which one you like best. Below you will find a list of the main characteristics for both plastics.
- 1 Why PLA?
- 2 Why ABS?
- 3 Why 1.75 mm?
- 4 Diameter tolerance
- 5 Filament Roundness
- 6 Coil diameter
- 7 Filament storage
- 8 Checklist of Parameters to Check When Purchasing Filament
Why PLA?
- PLA (short for Polylactic Acid) is a plastic based on renewable starches such as corn starch and sugar cane starch.
- This plastic is biodegradable and releases a small amount of ultrafine particles (UFCs) when printed.
- When working with this plastic, a subtle, but rather pleasant, sweet smell appears.
- Depending on the characteristics and color of the filament, the extrusion temperature can vary from 160 to 220 °C.
- PLA printed parts are more rigid than ABS parts (ABS plastic is more flexible).
- In general, parts printed with PLA have a slightly glossy finish.
- PLA is less prone to warping during printing and is much more "tacky" than ABS.
- PLA becomes soft at around 60°C (heat distortion temperature).
- PLA requires slightly more push force when extruded, as it has a higher coefficient of friction than ABS.
- PLA came a little later in the history of FDM 3D printers and has a pretty promising future.
Why ABS?
- ABS (short for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is a common thermoplastic (for example, LEGO bricks are made of ABS plastic).
This plastic is made from petroleum products. - ABS is more prone to emitting ultrafine particles (UFCs) than PLA. Therefore, it is recommended to use this plastic in a well-ventilated area.
- When working with it, a slight smell of “burnt plastic” appears.
- Depending on the characteristics and color, the extrusion temperature can vary from 220 to 260 degrees Celsius.
- Products printed from ABS plastic are slightly elastic and less brittle than those made from PLA.
- In general, ABS printed parts have a glossier surface than PLA printed parts.
- ABS plastic becomes soft at around 100°C (heat distortion temperature), making it more heat resistant than PLA plastic.
- ABS has a lower coefficient of friction than PLA and requires slightly less extrusion force than PLA.
- ABS can be considered a "traditional" type of filament, as it has been used for 3D printing since before the advent of PLA.
Why 1.75 mm?
- The lighter the filament per unit length, the less weight the extruder motor has to move and the easier it is to do the job.
- In addition, smaller diameter filament heats up faster (because it takes less time for the heat to reach the center) and so you can print faster.
- This allows for a slightly more compact hot nozzle design.
- Smaller nozzles allow for more precise plastic flow control and reduce the risk of leaks.
- With a more compact size, they can more accurately define contours and make sharper angles.
- The force required to push the plastic into the extruder is less because the pressure generated inside the nozzle will also be less.
Now that we've explained the benefits of 1.75mm filament, let's talk about what to look for when buying a good filament. Some of these rules are more obvious than others, but other rules are just as important when choosing.
In this article, we will look at the most important ones so that you can make an informed decision on your own when buying filament for a 3D printer.
Diameter Tolerance
Unstable Diameter = Unstable Extrusion
When printing on any FDM type printer, it is important to understand that the printer control software calculates the extrusion volume based on the filament diameter, the extruder nozzle diameter on your printer, and the extrusion speed (usually use the name flow rate - in mm / s).
Essentially, your printer controls the amount of plastic that is ejected from the nozzle as the extruder gear rotates and pushes a certain length of filament into the hot nozzle.
If the filament has an irregular diameter, the amount of plastic extruded will vary and the software will not be able to adjust the extrusion length to compensate for these fluctuations. Instead, it will continue printing, with the expectation that a certain amount of plastic will come out "theoretically".
This is what we call "unstable extrusion".
Filament Diameter Tolerance
Ideally, the filament has a completely constant diameter all the way to the end. However, in real life, due to the manufacturing process, there is always a tolerance within which the filament diameter will vary.
The filament tolerance shows actual changes in the diameter of a particular filament. For example, Boots Industries filament, with a diameter of 1.75 mm, has a tolerance of ± 0.03 mm.
Serious problems can arise from inconsistency in filament diameter. A typical consequence is extruder failure, a condition in which the extruder stops functioning and no more plastic enters its hot nozzle. This can happen if the filament suddenly becomes too thin for the tensioner and the pressure on the filament is not enough to grip.
Thin filament can lose contact with the extruder wheel
Another effect of reducing filament diameter is backflow in the hot nozzle (preventing plastic from entering the die).
At the other extreme is a sudden large expansion of the filament diameter when the extruder motor does not have enough power to push it or such a large diameter does not enter the hot nozzle opening.
Another effect of a large increase in filament diameter is that the extruder gear can abrade the surface of the plastic, causing the take-up mechanism to not be able to grab the filament to push it through and stop feeding.
Large increase in diameter of poor quality filament
In all cases, difficulties with an extruder of this nature can be compensated by a tension mechanism that maintains pressure on the filament dynamically, regardless of its diameter, by means of a spring. However, not all tensioners have this feature and therefore cannot prevent the difficulties associated with large diameter deviations.
Generally, when looking for quality filament, the industry's gold standard for diameter tolerances of no more than 0.
05mm is the focus. Working closely with manufacturers, we have found it very difficult to improve this standard and maintain a consistent diameter over the entire length of the reel. When buying a new spool of filament, you can use a micrometer to measure the diameter in several places to make sure it matches the advertised tolerance.
Filament roundness
When in contact with the extruder wheel, the filament always undergoes some compression due to the fact that the extruder wheel needs to grip the plastic. This will indeed reduce the roundness of the filament thread, but this effect is constant along the entire length of the spool, so it practically does not affect print quality.
Normal deformation in contact with the extruder wheel
But, despite the above, the constancy of the round shape of the filament along the entire length of the coil is of great importance. This is because if the filament suddenly loses its perfectly round shape and becomes oval, it can cause the extruder to fail in the same way as increasing or decreasing the diameter of the filament.
Spool diameter
When buying filament, you most likely want to use all of it. We researched materials from different suppliers and came across different types of coils. We have found that some coil designs can significantly reduce the usability of the material. When using a spool with a relatively small (< 100 mm) inner diameter, we found that tightly wound plastic was more difficult to unwind. This may depend on the temperature of the plastic at which it was wound onto the spools by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers in the production of plastic introduce an additional production step, allowing the finished plastic to cool slightly before winding onto spools.
However, it is important to remember that most extruder designs involve drawing the filament directly off the spool. Thus, when you reach the end of a tightly wound spool, it becomes increasingly difficult to unwind the filament, and the extruder wheel may begin to slip and strip the filament.
Tightly wound PLA
This situation is usually corrected by increasing the extruder pressure, but be aware that too much wheel pressure can significantly affect the roundness of the filament (if the pressure is too high when passing through the extruder, the filament becomes slightly oval).
To avoid these problems and to minimize the distortion of the filament as it passes through the extruder, we recommend a spool with an inner diameter greater than 100 mm. Of course, a reel with too large an inner diameter is also not the best choice, because they are more expensive to transport and store. Each supplier has their own principles and priorities regarding filament production and quality, but we have only discussed the inner diameter of the spool here in terms of convenience for 3D printing.
Filament storage
Three different spool diameters we tested
If you plan to purchase high quality filament and properly set up your printer to achieve high print quality, filament storage is also important.
A common problem with most types of plastic (regardless of quality) is that over time, it absorbs moisture, and as a result, small water droplets form inside the filament. The problem is that these small droplets, when heated in a hot extruder nozzle, reach a boiling point of about 100 degrees Celsius and explode. This drastically reduces print quality as it will cause the plastic to splatter from time to time instead of being neatly layered. We recommend a simple strategy for filament storage. We recommend that you purchase a large plastic container to store the filament and use a bucket of dry rice as a desiccant. This is an inexpensive and very effective way to keep the filament completely dry.
Checklist to check when buying filament
Plain plastic container with spools of filament and a bucket of rice as a desiccant
We have discussed above some of the most important parameters to consider when purchasing plastic filament.
