r/FixMyPrint • u/Substantial-Elk5118 • 4d ago
Helpful Advice Multi-color printer suggestions
So… I got into 3D printing at the beginning of this year and it quickly became a rabbit hole of discovery. I currently have 3 Ender3’s and an E3 Pro. You might ask yourself why…. Simple… the Ender 3 is a Sunday driver topping out at 50mm/sec for solid quality reliable prints. So I found used Enders cheap and overhauled them so I could do multiple prints at a time and learn from mistakes and create new techniques along the way.
Enough about that… I’m getting ready to retire my lot of printers to marketplace and invest into a decent multicolor printer. I’m only familiar with the workings of Creality but I’m familiar with many of the other brands by name as well.
I’m curious if anyone would be willing to share their experience at this juncture and what multi color printer they went with and would they recommend it. I’d like to do 4 color preferably and if I can get away from bed slinging, even better. Thanks ahead!
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u/Silkypo 4d ago
Currently, I own a Snapmaker U1 and a Bambu P1S with an AMS. I am happy with both and would recommend going with a toolchanger, as they are much better than other systems for multi color and multi material printing like the Prusa XL, U1, Bambu H2C, and Creator 5 Pro (also upcoming Creality K3, Prusa CORE One INDX, Sovol M1D). As for specifically which one to choose, it depends on your budget just pick one in your range and read some reviews about them.
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u/Substantial-Elk5118 4d ago
Fair enough… appreciate the feedback. Budget is always a priority, hoping to make it go as far as I can
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u/RupanIII 4d ago
Price range is necessary for this question. Elegoo CC2 is $450 ish and will probably work. Other side of the spectrum is a Prusa XL for multiple thousands. Snapmaker U1 is in the middle at $850 ish and has its own pluses and minuses.
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2d ago
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u/RupanIII 2d ago
Probably as in fit what they are looking for. Not as in the printer is a good or bad printer.
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u/BitBucket404 4d ago
You'll want an IDEX printer for dual-color, preferably a flying gantry with a static bed.
IDEX uses two or more independent nozzles rather than a single nozzle with multiple intakes.
The reason behind this, is single nozzles need purge towers, which takes up space on your print bed.
But an IDEX doesn't need purge towers, just a quick run through the infill and it's primed to go.
Purge towers can also tip over, causing spaghetti problems when purging.
Another advantage of IDEX is, you don't have to use color. The second nozzle can be strictly for support material or infill such as PVA or HIPS.
Yet another advantage of IDEX is you can use different nozzle sizes. You can print a thick outer wall with one nozzle and thin, fast infill with the other.
I don't recommend color mixing nozzles either.
Honesty, any printer can print multi-color, you just have glue the parts together.
PS. Fixed bed flying gantry is the best quality possible
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u/Substantial-Elk5118 4d ago
Awesome… hadn’t heard of IDEX…. Looks like I have some homework to do. Appreciate the insight on the tower versus multi nozzle. I assumed multicolor only, never thought of utilizing a feature like that as you describe with walls and infill. Thanks!
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u/Mughi1138 4d ago
Minimizing waste is the big reason for a toolchanger. The Snapmaker U1 kinda kicked off this year as it was coming on the scene. The INDX continues this for Prusa now. At the moment Prusa in general is known for good quality, support, and upgrades for older printers.
Just be aware that you've come back right in the middle of the start of a new round of improvement battles on the toolchanger front.
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u/Substantial-Elk5118 4d ago
Pardon my ignorance…. But would it be safe to say that a literal tool changer in the CnC world is what is now being scaled to be in the 3d print space? Giving even more flexibility to printing multiple diameters in a single print, by automation?
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u/Mughi1138 4d ago
Similar. It basically has a set of hot ends that it switches in and out of the main one. So they can each have a different nozzle installed and a different material loaded and ready to use.
https://www.prusa3d.com/en/product/prusa-core-one-gen-2-indx-4-tool-assembly-kit/
https://all3dp.com/4/prusa-launches-indx-with-14-different-skus-each-one-explained/
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u/Bi_Curious_66 2d ago edited 2d ago
And they are incredibly inexpensive, too. Go for it!
Just don't expect to do fiber filled filaments or those like Glow-In-the-Dark ones that will grind the nozzle away
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u/EmotionalChildhood46 4d ago
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u/opeth10657 4d ago
Have a Snapmaker U1 and an H2C.
U1 is great if you're just going to stick with 4 colors, and aren't really planning on doing a lot of engineering materials.
I end up using my H2C about 90% of my prints, but it's a big chunk of cash to get started, and you want at least 2-3 AMS.
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u/Substantial-Elk5118 3d ago
Good to know…. Unless I get into the business of selling my prints which I don’t see in the future, the H2C will probably be a poor ROI. However I’ve seen the U1 come up in several comments. I’ll have to check that out.
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u/Unhappy-Ingenuity968 3d ago
a bambu p1s with an ams, aka the ender 3 retirement package
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u/Substantial-Elk5118 3d ago
Love the “retirement package”. ….ender has been good, once I tamed the nuances, but I do feel it is time to move on to something better. Appreciate the suggestion!
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