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Multi-Extrusion

111 bytes added, 20:30, 25 November 2016
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== Enabling Multi-Extrusion ==
MatterControl's built in printer profiles are already set up for multi-extrusion on those machines that are capable of it. If you have a custom printer, you can enable multi-extrusion within the device's hardware profile. Specifically, the following settings[[File: 'Printer' > 'General' > 'Extruder Count' and 'Printer' > 'General' > 'Share Temperature' (the latter determines whether the extruders have separate or shared heating elements)Multiextrusion1.png|right]]
[[File:Multiextrusion1MatterControl's built in printer profiles are already set up for multi-extrusion on those machines that are capable of it.png|framed|none|Set Printer to 2 Extruders]]
Separate manual extruder controls are automatically added for each extruder. For machines with separate heating elements new temperature controls will appear for If you have a custom printer, you can enable multi-extrusion within the additional extrudersdevice's hardware profile.
Specifically, the following settings: *[[Settings/Printer/Features/Hardware/Extruder Count|Extruder Count]]: Sets the number of extruders*[[Settings/Printer/Features/Behavior/Share Temperature|Share Temperature]]: Determines whether the extruders have separate or shared heating elements <br clear=all> [[File:Multiextrusion2.png|framed|none|First Add Another Partright]] Separate manual extruder controls are automatically added for each extruder.  For machines with separate heating elements new temperature controls will appear for the additional extruders. <br clear=all>
== Printing with Multiple Materials ==
Multi-component parts can be imported or created within MatterControl by combining multiple parts. Preparing a part for multi-material printing is a matter of loading in parts, arranging them, and assigning materials.
=== Aligning Parts ===
It is possible to automatically align parts that have been designed using the same coordinate system. Align actually moves all the parts on the bed to their absolute positions relative to the currently selected part.
Step 1 - Switch With the first part loaded, navigate to edit [[3D View]] and switch to [[3D View/Edit|Edit mode]].
[[File:Multiextrusion3.png|framed|none|Select Edit To Get Startedright]]<br clear=all>Step 2 - Add additional parts to the bed [[File:Multiextrusion4.png|framed|none|First Add Another Part]]
[[File:Multiextrusion4.png|right]]
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Step 3 - Select the 'Align' button to align the parts
[[File:Multiextrusion5.png|framed|none|Press Align to Automatically Position Partsright]]<br clear=all>
=== Assigning Materials ===
Now that you have part you would like to print you may want to assign different material to different sections of the part. You will need to ungroup your part then select each sub-part to assign a material.
Step 1 - Ungroup (if needed)
[[File:Multiextrusion6.png|framed|none|Ungroup Parts to Change Materialsright]]<br clear=all>
Step 2 - Assign extruder to part and save as a new file
[[File:Multiextrusion7.png|framed|none|Choose Your Materialsright]]<br clear=all>
== Relevant Multi-Extrusion Settings ==
=== Wipe Tower and Shield ===
[[File:Wipe_Tower_Shield.png|right]]The wipe tower and shield are extra structures printed to wipe off excess filament oozing out of the extruder that is not in use. To enable either of them, go to Settings > General > Multiple Extruders. You can set the distance of the shield from the object or the width of the tower. Setting these to 0 disables that structure.
To enable either of them, navigate to Settings > General > Multiple Extruders.
 
You can set the distance of the shield from the object or the width of the tower.
 
Setting these to 0 disables that structure.
<br clear=all>
=== Retraction ===
[[File:Multiextrusion8.png|right]]Retraction when switching between is active extruders is determined by the 'Length on Tool Change' setting ('Filament' > 'Filament' > 'Retraction' > 'Length on Tool Change').
[[File:Multiextrusion8.png|framed|none|Setting The Tool Change Retraction Length]]
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=== Support Material ===
[[File:Multiextrusion9.jpg|right]]Support material can be assigned to a specific extruder using the setting 'Print' > 'Support Material' > 'Support Material Extruder'.
[[File:Multiextrusion9.jpg]]
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=== Tool Change GCode ===
[[File:Multiextrusion10.jpg|right]]In Settings > Printer > Custom G-Code there is the option to add GCode that is executed on every tool change. This could be used for a custom wiping routine, for example.<br clear=all>
== Limitations ==