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Multimaterial 3d printing
Another Way To Perform Multi-Material 3D Printing « Fabbaloo
The 3Dfeedy multi-material 3D printer upgrade [Source: 3Dfeedy]A new Kickstarter project offers a different kind of 3D printer multi-material upgrade.
3Dfeedy has developed a replacement filament feeder for desktop 3D printers that implements automated multi-material changes. In other words, you can load up to nine different spools and 3Dfeedy will control which one is delivered to the 3D printer’s hot end during printing.
There are several solutions on the market for upgrading to multi-material capability, including:
- Mosaic Manufacturing Palette
- Prusa MMU
- 3D Chameleon
These products exist simply because it’s far too expensive and sometimes impractical to add more extruders and hot ends to a 3D printer (although the E3D Toolchanger might contest that statement). The idea is to leverage existing hardware and provide a means to swap the filament only.
The 3Dfeedy multi-material 3D printer upgrade features [Source: 3Dfeedy]3Dfeedy works slightly differently from the others in that it requires only a single stepper motor to both feed filament and switch filaments. The Prusa Research MMU2S, for example, has one motor to drive filaments to the hot end, and another to rotate a cam to select different filaments. I’m not sure how 3Dfeedy does it, but I suspect there’s some sequence of movements that cause its selection mechanism to activate. The result is a device with one less motor to pay for.
Another interesting feature of 3Dfeedy is that it is modular — you can add more or fewer selectors depending on your needs. The base 3Dfeedy includes the ability to handle three filaments, but you can add more selectors up to nine in total. That’s more than any other filament switching technology I’ve seen so far.
3Dfeedy says their product is able to handle a wide variety of materials, particularly flexible materials. This seems curious, as you’ll soon understand.
3Dfeedy physically is two components: one is the main switching unit that you can clip onto the top or side of your existing 3D printer.
It accepts the input filaments and pushes the selected material.
The other component is a multi-orifice device that is inserted into the 3D printer’s hot end. Unlike the MMU2S, where the filament is isolated “far away” from the hot end, 3Dfeedy does this just above the hot end using this component.
This seems to be me to a be a somewhat superior approach than the MMU2S, as the filaments are permanently “loaded” and need only to be pushed or pulled. On my MMU2S, I am constantly opening it up to ensure filaments are positioned properly; this should not be required on 3Dfeedy.
However, I think you might be realizing what’s actually going on here: 3Dfeedy is simply replacing a Bowden extrusion system. In a Bowden system, the filament is pushed down a long tube towards the hot end. In a direct drive system, the filament is pulled from the hot end instead.
Because a Bowden system has an external (from the hot end) drive, it is much more easily replaced, as shown in the images from 3Dfeedy.
This makes a lot of sense, but then 3Dfeedy says their product is compatible with all 3D printers, except those with closed systems. Does this mean it could be used with a direct drive system?
Sort of. I read 3Dfeedy’s explanation of how this is accomplished, and they suggest using both the direct drive and adding a Bowden stepper motor to operate 3Dfeedy. This would end up configured something like the MMU2S, with an extra motor. That defeats the motor advantage of 3Dfeedy, however.
3Dfeedy also says you can simply ignore the motor on your direct drive system and operate it like a Bowden system. I’m not sure owners of direct drive machines would like to do this, however, as they chose their machine for reasons.
Back to flexibles. Since the filaments are retracted only slightly with 3Dfeedy, it may indeed be possible to use them. However, I suspect this works best if there is a direct drive system involved, since pushing a flexible noodle-like filament down a long tube is not going to be reliable.
That’s why Bowden systems have so much trouble with flexibles, and I can’t see why 3Dfeedy wouldn’t have the same issues.
Software is done externally. 3Dfeedy says you slice your 3D model on any slicer, and then post-process it on their software, which will be offered online for maximum platform portability. It would seem that you would use the original slicer’s ability to choose multiple materials, and then 3Dfeedy’s software will alter the material changes within the command stream to use their GCODE snippets.
As of now, 3Dfeedy’s Kickstarter is still active for a few more days. They’re offering the system for €248 (US$299), which is comparable to the MMU2S, and a lot lower than the Palette. Note: they are shipping only to certain European countries at this stage, but hope to expand shipping in the future.
Via Kickstarter
🤹 Best STL files multi-material and multi-color 3D printing・Cults
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🤹 Best STL files multi-material and multi-color 3D printing
Download 3D models Multi-Material and Multi-color
Discover our selection of 3D files of beautiful objects of all kinds suitable for multi-color and multi-material 3D printing. All these 3D models have been selected because they are useful, well thought out, artistic or simply decorative but above all printable in several colors and materials.
Multi-Color Fidget Star
Free
Color Headphone Stand
Free
Multi-Color Flying Helicopter Toy
Free
Video Game Planter Collection
Free
Buzz Lightyear - Multi Color Print
Free
Low-Poly Toy - Multi and Dual Extrusion version
Free
Bob-Omb! Multi Color/Material
Free
Animal Ring Collection - Dual extrusion version
Free
Low-Poly Squirtle - Multi and Dual Extrusion version
Free
Spiderman Figurine 4 colors
Free
Low-Poly Toy - Multi and Dual Extrusion version
Free
Flexi Raptor (Dual Extrusion)
Free
Eiffel Tower - Color (French Flag)
Free
Multi-Color World with Stand
Free
Desk Shrooms
Free
Multi-Color Cell Model
Free
Dual D20
Free
Low-Poly Toys - Dual Extrusion version
Free
Multi-Color Pickle Rick
Free
Multi-Color Owl Bookmark
Free
Multi-Color Self-Watering Planter
Free
Multi-Color Portal Gun (Rick and Morty)
Free
Low-Poly Pikachu - Multi and Dual Extrusion version
Free
Big Optimus Prime! - Multi Material Model
Free
Low-Poly Bulbasaur - Multi and Dual Extrusion version
Free
Multi-Color Harry Potter Coasters
Free
Multi-Color Mini Plant Cell
Free
Low-Poly Charmander - Multi and Dual Extrusion version
Free
Multi-Color Boxing Gloves
Free
4 Color Tigger - Multi Material Torture Test
Free
3 colors Anatomical Heart
Free
Batman Beyond V2 Multimaterials
Free
Fox
Free
Multi-Color Baby Dory
Free
Multi-Color Mario Keychain
Free
Multi-Color OVA Lamp
Free
Multi-Color Pencil Cup
Free
Multi Color Kirby! [4 Colors]
Free
Gonk Droid
Free
Multi-Color Kobayashi Fidget Cube
Free
Multi-Color Winterfell Game of Thrones
Free
Multi-Color Guitar Keychain
Free
Multi-Color Soccer Ball Keychains
Free
Multi-Color Connect Four
Free
Multi-Color Dinosaur Toothbrush Holder
Free
Zelda Planter - Single / Dual Extrusion Minimal Planter
Free
Multi-Color S.
H.I.E.L.D. CoasterFree
Crash Bandicoot Planters
Free
Buzz Lightyear - Multi Color Print
Multi-Color Mandala
Multi-color Sphinx
Bob-Omb! Multi Color/Material
Here is our selection of the best multi-material and multi-color files for 3D printers, all these creations are from the STL file site Cults and are 100% 3D printable in color!
This collection includes free STL files of printable objects in multi-materials or multi-colours. This technology has recently enabled the consumer 3D printing sector to gain even more market share. A time limited to a single and only color and a single material, 3D printing is now much more interesting thanks to solutions such as the Original Prusa i3 MK2 Multi Material upgrade kit, Palette+ from Mosaic Manufacturing or many players who offer two-color printing such as BCN3D, Dagoma, Ultimaker, XYZPrinting.
..
Obviously, adding several materials or colors allows 3D designers to create ever prettier or more useful objects, this collection of 3D printable files is the perfect illustration! These 3D designers who propose their creations on the 3D file download platform Cults have really competed in ingenuity to make all these objects, if you download them, don't forget to post pictures of the result! We are very curious to see your pictures in the Makes part of these rather technical objects to print!
🤹 The best multi-material and multi-color 3D printing STL files・Cults
🤹 The best multi-material and multi-color 3D printing STL files
Download multi-material and multi-color 3D models
and multimaterial 3D printing. All of these 3D models were selected because they are useful, well designed, artistic or simply decorative, but above all printable in multiple colors and materials.
Multicolor Star Fidget
Free
Colored headphone stand
Free
Multicolored toy "Flying helicopter"
Free
Video game planter collection
Free
Buzz Lightyear - Multi Color Print
Free
Low polymer toy - multi and dual extrusion version
Free
Bob Omb! Multi Color/Material
Free
Animal ring collection - double extrusion version
Free
Low-Poly Squirtle - multi and dual extrusion version
Free
Spiderman Figurine 4 colors
Free
Low polymer toy - multi and dual extrusion version
Free
Flexi Raptor (Dual Extrusion)
Free
Eiffel Tower - Color (French Flag)
Free
Multi-Color World with Stand
Free
Desk Shrooms
Free
Multi-Color Cell Model
Free
Dual D20
Free
Low Polymer Toys - Double Push Version
Free
Multi-Color Pickle Rick
Free
Multi-Color Owl Bookmark
Free
Multi-Color Self-Watering Planter
Free
Multi-Color Portal Gun (Rick and Morty)
Free
Low Poly Pikachu - Multi and Dual Extrusion Version
Free
Big Optimus Prime! - Multi Material Model
Free
Low Poly Bulbasaur - Multi and Dual Extrusion Version
Free
Multi-Color Harry Potter Coasters
Free
Multi-Color Mini Plant Cell
Free
Low poly Charmander - multi and dual extrusion version
Free
Multi-Color Boxing Gloves
Free
4 Color Tigger - Multi Material Torture Test
Free
3 colors Anatomical Heart
Free
Batman Beyond V2 Multimaterials
Free
Fox
Free
Multi-Color Baby Dory
Free
Multi-Color Mario Keychain
Free
Multi-Color OVA Lamp
Free
Multi-Color Pencil Cup
Free
Multi Color Kirby! [4 Colors]
Free
Gonk Droid
Free
Multi-Color Kobayashi Fidget Cube
Free
Multi-Color Winterfell Game of Thrones
Free
Multi-Color Guitar Keychain
Free
Multi-Color Soccer Ball Keychains
Free
Multi-Color Connect Four
Free
Multi-Color Dinosaur Toothbrush Holder
Free
Zelda Planter - Single/Double Extrusion Planter Minimum Size
Free
Multi-Color S.
H.I.E.L.D. Coaster Free
Nozzles for Crash Bandicoot
Free
Buzz Lightyear - Multi Color Print
Multi-Color Mandala
Multicolor Sphinx
Bob Omb! Multi Color/Material
Here is our selection of best multi-material and multi-color files for 3D printers , all these creations are taken from STL file site Cults and 100% 3D printing in color! .
This collection includes free STL files of printable objects in multiple materials or multiple colors. This technology has recently enabled the consumer sector 3D printing win even more market share. Once limited to a single color and a single material, 3D printing is now much more interesting with solutions like the Original Prusa i3 MK2 Multi Material upgrade kit , Mosaic Manufacturing's Palette+ or the many players that offer dual color printing like BCN3D , Dagoma , Ultimaker , XYZPrinting .
...
It's obvious that adding a few materials or colors allows 3D designers to create ever prettier or more useful objects, and this collection of 3D printing files is a perfect illustration! These The 3D designers offering their creations on the Cults 3D file upload platform really competed in ingenuity to create all of these objects, if you download them, don't forget to post pictures of the result! We're very excited to see your photos in the Makes part of these pretty technical printables!
REC Wiki » REC Multi-Material 3D Printing Guide by REC
Especially for those who practice 3D printing of composite products and solvent supports on FDM 3D printers, we have prepared a handy guide to help predict results in terms of adhesion and shrinkage at working with two different materials at the same time.
3D printers with two or more extruders can print in multiple colors, but this is more of a side benefit. The main advantage is the ability to build products from different materials at the same time.
The most common example is the use of an additional extruder to grow soluble support structures.
When it comes to water-soluble materials, then either polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, PVA) or a copolymer of butanediol and polyvinyl alcohol under the designation BVOH is used. It is possible in another way: for example, supports for parts made of ABS plastic can be printed with high-impact polystyrene (HIPS, HIPS), and then dissolved with limonene, which does not act on the base material, that is, ABS.
But there is another very interesting area, and this is the 3D printing of functional multimaterial products. By combining different materials, it is possible to set specific physical and mechanical characteristics in specific areas. For example, a thermoplastic polyurethane shell can be printed directly over an ABS protective shell to increase impact resistance. Alternatively, a solid wheel can be printed with the same materials, as shown in the illustration below.
In order for this to work, good adhesion between the two materials is required, otherwise the whole thing will fall apart quickly.
And here it's time to ask the question: will one plastic stick to another, and how will the shrinkage of different materials affect the final result? The ABS and TPU mentioned above do not bond perfectly, but still quite well, but plastic and plastic are different. We were also interested in this issue, and so that you do not waste time looking for effective combinations, we did it for you by preparing convenient plates.
Combinations are rated on a five-point scale. In adhesion plates, the higher the score, the better the result. For shrinkage, the opposite is true: the higher the score, the stronger the shrinkage and the worse the result.
If you are not yet familiar with our range, we will briefly explain what type of material each of the presented filaments belongs to, and detailed information is available on our website at the links below:
- PLA - polylactide or PLA. A popular biodegradable polymer.
- ABS is Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene or ABS, one of the most common materials in FDM 3D printing.
- ETERNAL Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, ASA or ASA. It is a close relative of the popular ABS, but with increased UV resistance and therefore better suited for outdoor use.
- RELAX is our variant of the popular polyethylene terephthalate glycol or PETG filament.
- FLEX is a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, TPE or TPEE. Elastic, flexible material similar to hard silicone.
- RUBBER - styreneethylenebutylenestyrene, aka SEBS or SEBS. Synthetic rubber option. In general, the real rubber.
- Easy FLEX is another elastomer, but this time in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU, TPU). In addition to elasticity, it has good chemical and wear resistance.
- PVA - polyvinyl alcohol, aka PVA. The same material with which you can print water-soluble supports.
- HIPS - high impact polystyrene or HIPS.
- CAST is a specialized polymethyl methacrylate (organic glass) material with the addition of plasticizers, designed for 3D printing of castable casting master models.
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