I finally got multi-color working on my Creality K1 Max using the 3D Chameleon.
Decided to make a 2 color benchy and scaled it down to 75% to save time, along with 0.25mm layer height.
So far the Chameleon has been pretty picky with filament, but when it works it works well! This print is with silk gold and matte black. I have even gotten 95A TPU to print with it surprisingly!
I modified the color-change code so it takes 1 minute less, which makes a big difference when you have hundreds of color changes.
Next up, 4 color benchy. Probably will be 10 hrs lol
If you don’t mimd me asking, what practical use case for this is there? Like it’s cool but I just split the model up and print them separately and it seems like so much less of a pain
Depends on the model. Sometimes printing separately is better! Sometimes printing together is better. It depends on the geometry. For example, if one color can act as support for the other. Printing materials on each other can be better bonding, too. It’s also better in a high volume sense to have the machine do as much work as possible.
If you print with incompatible filaments (materials which don’t bond/adhere) you can get cheap, nearly perfect breakaway supports. I’ve done some rocket parts on my PrusaXL and it’s certifiably magic.
yeah I saw people were doing that with PETG and PLA. I haven’t tried it yet but good to know that’s in my back pocket if I need it.
Also soluble supports are a thing, although they might be trickier and more expensive
good question, this was just a test print honestly. My main use case will be doing TPU and PLA for phone cases for my store. Soft inside, hard outside. The tests I have done have the two materials completely fused together and are promising.
most full color prints can, and should, be printed separately and assembled later. I totally agree there, but there are times that isn’t ideal.
I made a print that was a dial and small numbers with markings. This would have been a pain to glue 1.5mm wide pieces onto the main part. Multicolor printing made it super easy and the result is clean looking.
I’ll probably print mostly single color, but I love having the flexibility
Ah, I hadn’t thought about integrated multimaterial, nice