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SoliForum - 3D Printing Community → 3D Printer Discussion → How to split a single .stl into 2 or more for dual extrusion
I am trying to learn how to make a model and then split the .stl into 2 or more files for dual extrusion. Once I have this knowledge and expertise, I will move on to building/creating a 6 to 10 filament 3d Printer, if it is possible.
https://descargartonos.info/samsung
Logistically, trying to fit that many hotends on a gantry would be the difficult part (and still have a decent build volume)
That said, there is already a printer out there that has 5 heads - the RoVa3D
http://www.ordsolutions.com/rova3d-5-ex … d-printer/
I am trying to learn how to make a model and then split the .stl into 2 or more files for dual extrusion. Once I have this knowledge and expertise, I will move on to building/creating a 6 to 10 filament 3d Printer, if it is possible.
Multi color is part of the design process. You have to break the file into parts before you design it. Then you have to make the parts in what ever editor you use and save each one. Once saved you need a host that supports multiple color printing and you have to place each file so they are all on the same point on the build platform. They also have to be set up so they print from each head in the correct order.
Like Carl_m1968 said, you have to design it that way to be printed in multiple colors. Take a yin & yang for example. You could design the entire thing in your program of choice, but when you go to export it the white parts would be exported as one .stl and the black parts would be exported as another .stl. An older version of slic3r(can't remember which one) with let you open them to create an .amf file that you can reopen in slic3r, and it recognizes that you're using a(in this case) dual extruder.
This is the jist of it, and there are some other things you have to keep in mind using this method, but I've used this many times with our Workbench with great results.
As others have mentioned, you can't really do multiple colors in a single file type with .stl files. The file type just doesn't support it. There was a thread on reddit recently about how the community may eventually move towards another file type that more readily supports multi extrusion, because the .stl format is somewhat limited. Or something like that. I only skimmed it.
^what they said!
Also, check out he video in this post...if the embedded video does not play then just click the YouTube option at the bottom...go to about 7:38 in the video to see the design process and STL handling...
It depends on what Slicer program you use. Simplfy3D allows you to set specific operations at specific layer heights. It is under the "Layer Modifications" setting in the "Advanced" menu. This lets you set a specific extruder (ie color 1) for a set height. And you can create another process operation that sets a different extruder at the height after that. You can also change any other parameters like speed, layer height, etc. Its a very useful tool if you want to have a specific process up to a set height and change after that (ie slow down after height XX).
Logistically, trying to fit that many hotends on a gantry would be the difficult part (and still have a decent build volume)
That said, there is already a printer out there that has 5 heads - the RoVa3D
http://www.ordsolutions.com/rova3d-5-ex … d-printer/
I would stay away from extruders with Bowden tube setups as much as possible. It really does limit what type of filaments you can use and you need higher retraction distances. The distance can cause problems on some hot ends if it goes past certain transition zones in the heat break. If you use a fast retract rate and a long distance, the plastic may still be somewhat molten and end up clogging the heat break and other parts of the hot end. I have a bowden setup but only because my choices are limited since i'm on a Delta printer and magnetic bearings (can handled limited weight).
If you use Workbench or similar 3D dual color printer and Slic3r, you can
1) Make two individual parts, but be better to use a same XYZ coordinate system,
in order to assemble them more easily.
Part-1-RED COLOR
Part-2-GREEN COLOR
2) Use software to assemble them in together:
3) "Save as" this assy file to STL file, then creating two STL files automatically
in a folder that you selected.
4) Open Slic3r and "ADD" those two STL files
5) Use a dual color printer to print this object with two colors.
A same procedure is for 3, 4, 5, 6---colors, if you have a multi-extruder printer.
Attached are two STL files, for you practise only.
SoliForum - 3D Printing Community → 3D Printer Discussion → How to split a single .stl into 2 or more for dual extrusion
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