making colorized filament on the extrusionbot

[frank westerman]

I purchased an extrusionbot that was already assembled, this is the only way that they sell them now. I would like to make filament that is colorized but not sure how to go about it as far as mixing the color pellets and the natural pellets together to make different colored filament any help would be appreciated. I am planning to do this with PLA but I would think that the process would be the same for ABS as well.

[Herb Winters]

I have purchased lots of colorant but have not used any as I would like to get the extruder and reel system working first. I have been pulled away for now but will be back to it in the spring.
I have got my extruder working but not would I would call trouble free and the reel system is pretty much a lost cause. I plan on re designing it completely.

I know everyone would love to hear...
How well does your pre-built extruder work have you been able to extrude PLA and roll a full reel and can your printer use it.

[frank westerman]

I have not received my Ridgidbot printer yet and haven't tried the extrusionbot yet I was hoping to get some info on what to set the temp and how to try do my own colors before I lit it off.
I will try without coloring first in the near future and will post my results. by the way I bought the beads with the unit so the tests will start with that. Thank's for the reply.

[Demetrius Bazos]

I have been coloring my PLA and it works great.  I use about 3% color to 97% clear.  It doesn't sound like a lot, but that's all it takes.  I found that the suggested 174C was not hot enough and that 184C works better.

I have not had much success with ABS as it seemed to bubble and pop a lot.  The PLA is very consistent.

Good luck.

[frank westerman]

 I am having a problem of how to mix the pellets and should there be a few of the pellets put into the hopper first. also should the rest just be put in a container and shaken to mix them?
just trying to get a handle as to how to mix the color pellets in to the clear ones.

Thank you for the temp info and quantity info this is a big help in getting started.

[Demetrius Bazos]

I measured out 1 cup of clear pellets, and then approximated 3% of colored ones.  I mixed them up with a pencil and dumped them in the hopper.  Turn the machine on, wait about 10 minutes for the extruder to get nice and hot, and then go.

The only way I got a consistent filament was to add a potentiometer to the spool motor as it was going to fast and pulling the filament every time it turned on.  I then wound the filament on the spool and adjusted the pot so that I had a little slack but not too much on the spool.  You don't want to pull the filament otherwise it will get thinner than the rest.  It was a pain, but I'm planning to modify the sensors that were provided as I don't like how they are positioned.

That should get you going.

Regards,

[frank westerman]

 this is a great information about the mixing process. As far as the mod of adding the pot to the take-up motor is that info listed anywhere so that I might apply that alter to my unit? It sounds as though the pot change plus the future changes for the sensors may help us all in the spooling process.

[Demetrius Bazos]

Nothing is listed yet.  I basically cut the red wire from the spool motor and added a pot.  I only had a 10K and that was way to big.  I've picked up a 1K and will give it a try.  I'll post with results when I get a chance.

Regards,

[frank westerman]

 Hope the new pot works out better for you. I'll be waiting to see how that works for you.

Thanks for all you help.