rsavell
Posts: 17
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:46 pm

Concurrent printing with dual extruders

Does anyone know if it is possible to print with both extruders at the same time? For example; to print multiple small parts that are smaller than the space between the extruders, such as a 2x2 Lego. I am thinking as long as the parts are spaced to avoid colliding with the extruders, if possible this would be a great time saver and allow printing in 2 colors as well.
dennisjm
Posts: 343
Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 9:51 pm

Re: Concurrent printing with dual extruders

Some printer firmwares support this. Sailfish for example that works on maker clones et. al.
You just model one print but then in the firmware you turn on ditto printing. I don't think the slicer can cause this to happen though. Perhaps someone else has tried and found a way.
rsavell
Posts: 17
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:46 pm

Re: Concurrent printing with dual extruders

Thanks!!! The key was searching for "Ditto Printing" It is quite simple to turn on, under the general settings there the first option is Ditto Printing - just turn it on and set the process to heat both extruders. I recommend turning off Wipe since it wipes over the left extruder's print area but other than that it seems to work perfectly as long as your object is less the 36mm wide (the distance between the extruders on a FlashForge)
annie
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:05 pm

Re: Concurrent printing with dual extruders

I can't find an option for ditto printing. Is this still available? I'm printing many small duplicate parts and this would be a great time saver.
Scottbee
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 8:13 am

Re: Concurrent printing with dual extruders

annie wrote:I can't find an option for ditto printing. Is this still available? I'm printing many small duplicate parts and this would be a great time saver.
"Ditto Printing" is a firmware feature, not a feature of S3D.

It is available on printers running the Sailfish firmware (Makerbots and Makerbot clones (CTC, FF, Wanhao, etc..)). It may also be available via other firmware on other machines, but I don't know.
annie
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:05 pm

Re: Concurrent printing with dual extruders

Ooooooh, thank you! I don't know why this didn't click with me earlier. I've always referred to "firmware" as the "controller" and I guess that threw me off...

For any other confused newbies out there, on the FlashForge Creator Pro, it's under Utilities > General Settings > Ditto Printing on the menu physically on the machine.

Return to “General Discussion and Tips”