Josef Prusa gives us a multi material extrusion upgrade for I3 Mk2 which looks great. It can come in dual and quad extrusion versions and will give you advanced options for your I3.
Here is the video presentation:
Final release is expected for shipping by the end of November 2016 and is it available for preorder.
Ultimaker forum user by the name of FoehnSturm presented his approach to toolchanger mechanism on the original Ultimaker machine.
It uses a custom modular direct drive extruders with hot end placed in holders mounted on printer's frame. This extruder is powered by NEMA 8 motor and has a hotend like Merlin, Prometheus, E3D or similar. In the future it will use other tools also. This system can hack your Ultimaker in true multitool hybrid digital fabricator.
Do keep in mind that this project is still in the development but it looks very interesting. It could be also adapted to other 3d printers. My opinion was always that the multitool machines are the future.
Here is the first prototype:
... more developed version with higher accuracy and repeatability:
Here is the mechanism working well with dual extruders doing two color printing:
Here is the high speed tool change in action:
The mechanism can have magnetic connectors and supports different tools like polishing head:
You can see the entire thread on the UM forum with much more information and insight in the development process:
Here is a great video tutorial on how to use FreeCAD to design two colored (or dual material or support structures) 3d objects for dual extruders. It could be also used for other CAD programs.
Here is an interesting dual extruder type where both extruders are powered only with one stepper motor. This setup makes the extruder much lighter and should improve any oozing issues.
The other problem with dual extruder is when one hotend is working, the second would cause ooze. Ooze will make printing model caught a lot of unwanted results. My solution is letting the second hotend to dock on a metal plate to block hot plastic drops from nozzle. To do that first the second nozzle need to swing and raise above metal plate. At the same time one filament need to be caught in between idler and extrusion gear teeth with enough pressure.
All the files and instructions to make Sega can be found at:
James Yong developed a small g-code algorithm to help prevent oozing in dual extruder printing by producing a small barrier to scrape off the oozing filament.
He uses Prusa i3 with double extruder, Slic3r, Marlin firmware and Repetier Host.
On the left you can see a "barricade" that binds oozing filament and on the right the dual 3d printed object that looks very good.
Here is a detailed video of algorithm in action and it really does prevent oozing remains on the printed object and increases print quality:
Here is a video showing a similar purge - wipe wall feature in Makerware 2.3.0.4. but with much higher walls and more filament spending.
I don't own dual extruder machine or have much experience with dual extruders so let me know your opinions and experiences in the comments. Thank you James for sharing the code!
PiBot is polar movement 3d printer that can print with paste materials from dual syringe extruders. It is inspired by PiMaker polar 3d printer which has very detailed build instructions.
From project description:
As part of Francis Bitonti and Xuedi Chen's vertical studio at the architecture school of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, teams of 3 were given the task to design a paste extruding 3d printer. Our team initially put together a Printrbot Simple Maker's Edition, and using the basic concepts behind this printer, as well as inspiration drawn from the PiMaker, designed our own.
The main features of the PiBot are a flexible dual extruder system combined with a rotating polar bed. This grants us the ability to both print one object with a combination of materials from the two extruders, as well as print two of the same object at the same time, due to the rotating bed.
Team: Nicholas Nord, Hiroki Sawai, Lauren Famularo
Aleph Objects just released two new extruders: the Dual Extruder and the FlexyDually Extruder. Both extruders are priced at $494.95 and beside their special functions can use standard filament materials like PLA, ABS, PVA, HIPS and LayWood. Since Aleph Objects is strongly supporting open source, extruders are fully open sourced and you can find files for bot of them.
The Dual Extruder is optimized for dual extrusion
From LulzBot product description:
It's time to unleash your LulzBot TAZ! Our all-new Dual Extruder Tool Head is an upgrade for advanced users that provides the capability to 3D print in two colors of the same material, or take advantage of multi-material 3D printing.
Whether you use your LulzBot TAZ for personal, professional, or educational purposes, your 3D printer is now more versatile than ever. The main benefits of this tool head include being able to print more complex objects with support structures and more aesthetically pleasing objects that feature multiple colors or multiple materials. See this in action by watching the video available at the bottom of this product page.
The Dual Extruder Tool Head features two of our standard extruders on a single carriage. Each extruder can heat up to 240 degrees Celsius and handle a wide range of materials including PLA, ABS, HIPS, PVA, LayWood, and more. Further, the standard nozzle size for each extruder is .35mm, meaning you can get finer resolution on your prints.
The Dual Extruder Tool Head is an advanced accessory suggested for expert users only because both the software and hardware aspects of using these upgrade require more technical capabilities. However thanks to the LulzBot TAZ's modular carriage design, installing your Dual Extruder Tool Head only takes a few short steps for owners of the LulzBot TAZ 4. Owners of earlier versions of the LulzBot TAZ can also make these upgrades, however additional steps will be required. Like all products made by Aleph Objects, Inc., the Dual Extruder Tool Head is fully Open Source Hardware so you can view the source files to make and share modifications and improvements.
Technical specifications:
Required filament diameter: 3mm
Nozzle size for both extruders: 0.35mm
Note: Because this tool head uses thinner stepper motors, you will be able to take full advantage of the LulzBot TAZ's build volume without compromising build area.
The FlexyDually Extruder is optimized for printing with flexible filaments
From LulzBot product description:
It's time to unleash your LulzBot TAZ! Now advanced users can print with both flexible and standard materials, during a single print run. Whether you use your LulzBot TAZ for personal, professional, or educational purposes, your 3D printer is now more versatile than ever. You can use multiple materials to make parts with built-in dampeners or grips, stretchable straps with built-in buckles, or fittings with gaskets.
The FlexyDually features one standard tool head for materials like ABS, PLA, and HIPS, and a second Flexystruder Tool Head that allows you to print with flexible filaments like NinjaFlex. Both of these extruders can heat up to 240 degrees Celsius and are mounted on a single carriage. Each standard nozzle is .5mm which is optimized for flexible filaments, but this also limits the resolution that can be achieved with this tool head. See how strong certain combinations like ABS and NinjaFlex can be by watching the video below.
The FlexyDually Tool Head is an advanced accessory recommended for expert users only because both the software and hardware aspects of this upgrade require more technical capabilities. Once mastered, this tool head dramatically increases the applications for your LulzBot TAZ.
Thanks to the LulzBot TAZ's modular carriage design, installing your FlexyDually Tool Head only takes a few short steps for owners of the LulzBot TAZ 4. Owners of earlier versions of the LulzBot TAZ, and the LulzBot KITTAZ, can also make these upgrades, however additional steps will be required. Be sure to select the right version before purchasing your FlexyDually.
Technical specifications:
Required filament diameter: 3mm
Nozzle size for both extruders: 0.5mm
Note: Because this tool head uses thinner stepper motors, you will be able to take full advantage of the LulzBot TAZ's build volume without compromising build area.
James Bruton from XRobots made this review and demonstration of new open source extruder from Aleph Objects creators of Lulzbot. FlexyDualie enables you to print with two different types of filament, one rigid and one flexible (NinjaFlex in this case).
He shows properties of objects printed in flexible and hard materials and software setup needed to get the dual material printing possible.
He uses Autodesk123D Design for the featured objects, which is free software. Each piece is exported as as separate STL and then the "combine multi-material STL" function is used in Slic3r to generate the g-code to drive the FlexyDualie.
Rabbit Proto advanced extruder for electronics 3d printing is showcased in this video. They print fully working game controller with conductive ink. Rabbit Proto is a print head add-on that easily plugs into your 3D printer, enabling it to print complex conductive traces within your 3D design. The project source code, documentation, and example designs are open source and available on GitHub. Here are the pre-order prices and specs:
Here is Mankati doing the dual extrusion two color printing:
Looks like companies from China are increasing the technology and quality and not only compete in cost reduction. Mankati is produced by Shanghai Vision Technology Co., Ltd. company from China.
Technical specifications:
Dual extruder for dual color printing
Patented print head, made of Teflon/PEEK, to eliminate nozzle clogging problem
Filament feeder made with a gear motor and a metal gear fixture for accuracy
Monocrystal glass print bed with high thermal transmission rate and high strength. The Heated bed is encased in high-temp rubber
Printer has enclosed build chamber with PMMA glass walls on three sides for keeping the temperature inside stable, preventing warping and deformation while printing large objects
Rabbit is project that aims to develop new type of extruder. Rabbit extruder features two printheads: one is capable of using any extrudable filament from ABS to Laywoo-D3 and the other one is a paste extruder, perfect when combined with Bare Conductive Paint.
Here is demonstration of 3d printed puzzle with embedded electronics, type of work for which the Rabbit is designed:
I was contacted on blogs facebook page with claims that the images of extruder used in this project belong to SeeMeCNC and were used without attribution by Rabbit project ...
Update 2 (29.4.2014.):
Here is a video of Rabbit Proto 3d printing a working game controller:
In theory retracting hot end should allow for higher quality prints and faster printing. This type of retractable hot end would allow that the printbed remains fixed and further increase precision and speed. Nozzle "dragging" should be eliminated in both printing and inactive extruder nozzle in dual hot end setups. D3D is developing this technology and it could get on your printer soon ...
There are many shoulds and woulds, but the video looks promising ... as always, future will show if this product will make satisfied buyers ...
cOssel is a Rostock / Kossel derivative by Chris Dieringer. It does a few things differently from other deltas, still the central design and technology is the same. Main features are:
OpenRail for linear motion
Dual hot end configuration
Bowden extruder designed for geared steppers
Mechanically fixed heated bed, vs. binder clips
cOssel attempts to enable a low-power, non-contact automatic leveling sensor as an alternative to using a retractable mechanical switch as used in other deltas. This feature is still experimental as most IR sensors have not been proven repeatable.
cOssel has dual reflective IR auto leveling, This feature is still experimental as most IR sensors have not been proven repeatable.
You can build it yourself, all files and instructions are available at:
RepRap X2V3 is the new generation of the RepRap X2 dual extruding 3D printers line. It features two independently moving extruders on X axis, so you can print in two different colors or types of filament (base and support material).
Hardware features:
Support independently moving X axis carriages for 2 extruders
Nozzle wiping / cleaning
Frame modifications allowing X stage to move higher
Printing area casing
The hardware design is similar to RepRap X2 (that is based on SAE Prusa's Mendel), but X2V3 has to be slightly wider and therefore requires some of the metal rods to be longer (basically all the rods that are positioned horizontally).
Firmware features:
Dual X or Y drive machines support
Support for simultaneous duplicate or mirror printing
Filament compression compensation (experimental)
Various new and existent command improvements
Independently moving X axis carriages for each extruder hotend Typical dual extruder machines have both hotends located on the same carriage. That design has several disadvantages like idle extruder leaking plastic or catching and knocking off the printed object. RepRap X2V3 has two hotend carriages driven by independent motors of X axis. While one hotend is printing the other one can be positioned it its docking space away from the "action". The independent drive also allows to utilize all the available platform space for the "follow-me" mode for printing two identical objects simultaneously. Each carriage has its own independently controled hotend fan.
Nozzle wiping/cleaning capabilities The docking positions for hotends are at the ends of the X stage. The nozzles are cleaned when hotends are sliding over cleaning element on the way back to the printing area. The silicone tube piece with triangular cut on the side where nozzle slides over the tube to get cleaned is used on my machine. Mounting of other cleaning mechanisms can be easily achieved. This feature allows priming the extruders minimizing leakage and inconsistent startup of the extrusion when switching to the hotend being idle for a while.
Frame modifications allowing X stage to move higher The triangular pieces of the frame (sides) are changed from being equilateral to get wider at the top. That allows X stage to move up all the way over Z threaded rods without being blocked by the frame structure. This adds 10-15mm to the height of the printing area without other dimensional changes of the machine.
0.35mm hotend nozzles The 0.35 nozzles have been used on various RepRap machines for a while now. Switching to the smaller nozzle diameter allows slightly smaller detailers to be printed reliably.
Printing area casing Printing area casing helps a lot to avoid heat dissipation from the heated printing bed and helps to keep heat from external source (I'm using 125Wt heat lamp) inside in the printing area. I've been using casing for a while now. Initially it was done from coagulated cardboard (that can be done for a typical Mendel machine under an hour). After it has proven to be useful the cardboard plates were swapped to acrylic for the RepRap X2V3 machine.
Motor fans The 50mm fan mounts used on the RepRap X2V3 allow to attach fans easily to any of the machine motors. I'm currently using fans on the extruder and Y axis motors. The Y axis motor fan blows air away from the motor and out of the printer casing while the extruder fans blow onto the motors.
x2v3 homepage with in-depth descriptions of all components:
After single head version, Micron releases the dual head full metal high end extruder.
The main advantages of Micron's dual head extruder are:
Easy nozzles height calibration: Unclamp the "DFGNM" locking screws, lower the 2 nozzles to the flat printing bed and lock again
Innovative "all metal" hot end features a detachable filament guide and nozzle module "DFGNM"
All metal design enables working with polycarbonate at 280- 300 degrees Celsius and with future materials that require higher working temperatures beyond those supported by plastic extruders and hot end.
Reliable design: enabling strong filament gripping by using high torque 1:13 gear motor and stainless steel 303 hobbed gear with special teeth profile.
Continuous idler bearing preload adjustment using 2 set screws.
Easy opening service doors that does not change idler springs preload, while opening and closing the service doors
Smooth filament feeding design that prevents the filament from being stuck after passing the hobbed gear.
Tested with PLA, ABS, polycarbonate, nylon and PVA.
Priced at: 469.95 USD
Technical specifications:
Electrical:
Motors: Nema 11 Step Motors.
Rated current/Phase: 0.67 Amps
6.2 VDC :Rated voltage/Phase
Fans: 40x40x20 size, 12VD
Heaters: 12V
Thermistors: 100K ohm NTC thermistor
Mechanical:
Nominal Distance between the 2 nozzles is 46mm but required fine calibration
1:13 Planetary Gearbox
Materials: black anodize Aluminum, Stainless Steel and Brass.
From Utrecht in Netherlands comes Felix 3d printer in version 3.0. MAKE magazine awarded the Felix v2.0 with the title Surprisehit of 2014.
Felix v3.0 3d printer in single and dual extruder versions
Felix is priced from: €1,499.00 to: €1,648.50 depending on specifications and options.
Felix 3d printer v3.0 technical specifications:
The benefits:
More reliable printing. Print your objects with more precision
Higher quality at higher speeds. Due to increased stiffness of parts, higher accelerations are possible.
Machine safety. The assembled printer meets the CE safety regulations.
Optional dual extrusion. Print your objects with two colors or with special water soluble support material. This option is somewhat experimental. The mechanics is ready, but software requires some further development.
Last but not least, you can upgrade your own printer to the latest revision. Upgrade kits will be available
Specifications:
Power max 220W
Voltage 110-240V, automatically adjusting powersupply
Nozzle diameter 0.35mm
Build volume (x, y, z) (255, 205, 235) mm, When printing where dual extrusion is required, the buildvolume reduces to 240mm. But when printing with a dual head and only using one of the two nozzles the x range is 255
Layer height 50 micron to 300 micron
Heated bed temperature range 0 - 95 degC, When isolating bottom temp can go upto 115 degC. Ultra light aluminum sandwich plate.
Nozzle temperature range 0- 275degC
Axes positioning resolution (x, y, z) (50,50,10) micron
Display unit 20x4 character display, for assembled printer this is standard included.
Stand alone printing MicroSD card reader integrated into electronics board. So stand-alone printing is possible even without the display unit
The printer is designed in the following modules: Frame module:
Extruded aluminum frame parts
Easy connectors, the frame is assembled by just screwing 6 hex bolts
X (moving head) and Y (moving table) module:
Linear ball bearing
Printed parts
Toothbelt
Pulley
Opto-sensor
NEMA 17 motor
Heated bed
Z-axis module:
Linear ball bearing
Printed parts
Precision machined trapezium lead screw with bronze nut
Opto-sensor
NEMA 17 motor
Extruder/Hot-End module: (this is multiplied by two when you have a dual extruder printer)
Cartesio is sturdy 3d printer / desktop cnc design by Jos Scheepers with aluminum frame that you can buy or build yourself. It comes in two sizes: bigger Cartesio W and smaller Cartesio M.
Cartesio W description from the project page, it is priced at 2099 euro (Cartesio M is priced at 1699 euro):
The CartesioW V0.9 has a massive build volume of 400x200x200mm and comes standard with a 3D print extruder and a large Heated buildplatform If you want other tools (engravers, plotters,...), please select them in the Tools catagory. The Lead time for this product is currently : 3-6 weeks after payment has been received We can also assemble Cartesio for you.
Cartesio is a feature rich profesional CNC router.
It supports a wide range of tools ig. 3D-print extruder and engraver.
It is possible to print multiple colors, or materials.
unique features :
quiet printing
very rigid build platform which does not move in X,Y direction.
high precision GTM (gantry tool movement)
automatic printhead cleaning
large build volume of 400x200x200mm (X,Y,Z) M(edium)
printable upgrades
optional engraving tool with software speed control
