Designing for multi color - really should do a segment!

[Bryan Eckert]

So the Mandala you sent me for the retraction test looks cool, but it’s also an excellent example of poor modeling for multi-color printing.  Which is why we think it would be a good segment for discussion.

I realize this was made by Mosaic for their Pallet changing system, but it’s very inefficient. For one, it’s 3 separate STL files that get imported as a group, where you just select each object under the group and assign a color.

However, look at the printer camera capture attached. There is a large blue core that never gets seen. That’s A LOT of completely unnecessary color changes. Perhaps this was necessary for the Pallet system, but for machines like the H2C or Prusa XL it’s simply a waste of time, and more importantly potential failure points as every hotend swap or tool change could cause an issue. 

I might try to make this a solid object in Maya and paint it properly. I can probably knock off a not insignificant amount of color changes and print time. Because while you guys focus on time/complexity of the machinery, all that is moot if someone is making models that add unnecessary swaps. Which should be just as large a focus, imho.

[Kurt]

Bryan - you make some very interesting points. One must truly Design for Multi-Color printing for exactly the reasons you state. Not unlike DFAM - which is Constantly what I keep in mind as I make my own designs to be printed - and CONSTANTLY trying to design things so that NO Supports are needed. 

I wish I had a Bambu with an AMS - or even a Tool Changer. I did have access to, and DID do a little printing on a Bambu w/AMS when I was at VisionMiner. But, didn't really get enough time on that machine...

-K

[3D Printing Tips and Tricks]

Yes…

Definitely gonna talk more about designing for multi materials… or more specifically more about multiple colors.

The mandala is an interesting piece and yeah, the central core is attached to the bottom so it requires a color change higher when it really shouldn’t be needed. Loading it as a single part then painting it virtually using Bambu studio however will not get you the precision between the colors as you’ll get with separate parts.

Also…yes, the ideal is to minimize color changes. One way I did that with the E3d was with Simplify3d I could force it to do three layers at a time on each toolpath on each color. That cut down the toolchanges by at least 30%. The nozzles I used were pointy enough to allow for it. I can’t do it on the XL… but toolchanging is so fast and so reliable that it became irrelevant.

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

Hey Andy - VERY interesting feedback about your techniques & E3D vs. XL. 

Cool!

-K