<![CDATA[SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — True Multicolor Printing - BotObject]]> https://www.soliforum.com/topic/2438/true-multicolor-printing-botobject/ Sat, 18 May 2013 23:14:30 +0000 PunBB <![CDATA[Re: True Multicolor Printing - BotObject]]> https://www.soliforum.com/post/23228/#p23228 I currently consider BotObject to be vaporware. They simply have nothing to show but ideas.

]]> Sat, 18 May 2013 23:14:30 +0000 https://www.soliforum.com/post/23228/#p23228 <![CDATA[Re: True Multicolor Printing - BotObject]]> https://www.soliforum.com/post/23206/#p23206 I tried contacting them and received nothing.  I figure their inboxes are full, but I think my situation is somewhat unique.  I have gone the low-cost 3D printer route at my university to (a) improve visual-spatial skills (I believe intro students often don't get the same thing out of seeing spatial information on computer as we think they do), (b) improve mechanical/tactile learning (liberal arts colleges focus on theory) and (c) provide proof-of-concept for acquiring a production service ready printer (3D Systems Projet 460Plus which is the old ZCorp Z450 multi-color powder printer).  I've late-budgeted $75k for the printer and could see repurposing that for some school-wide multi printer installations with the ProDesk 3D, but I cannot get even a reply.  It would give them multi-disciplinary case studies, etc.

From a practical standpoint, they had backed off full-color to custom-color - that the printer can mix the 5 PLA stock colors to a particular custom color.  In effect, that means it won't do it with full color resolution, i.e., transitioning through many colors in short distances.  Many think that the print head will go to a dump area to dispose of the mis-colored plastic during the transition from one color to another, but then you'd probably need a wiper.  I think it would create the script to use internal spaces for the color transitioning where possible.  Some are throwing around 25 micron layers for resolution - that's suggesting granules rather than larger beads.  If I were to try to revolutionize low-cost printing with multi-color, I would probably look at a low-cost approach to plastic SLS, but you need to find a cheap laser wavelength that can cause equal heating without respect to visible color.

]]> Sat, 18 May 2013 16:42:51 +0000 https://www.soliforum.com/post/23206/#p23206 <![CDATA[True Multicolor Printing - BotObject]]> https://www.soliforum.com/post/23195/#p23195 Here's an interesting podcast on the upcoming Botobject printer that can supposedly mix filament of different colors.

http://engineervsdesigner.com/67-botobj … in-warner/

It sounds great if it works.  However, there has been a lot of skepticism that this is possible with a lot of people saying "show me the models". 

What do you all think?

]]> Sat, 18 May 2013 13:45:34 +0000 https://www.soliforum.com/post/23195/#p23195