Why Dual Extruders

[Eaglezsoar]

I have a continuing battle going on with myself about if I should upgrade to dual extruders on my Max or stay with one extruder.
I realize that the dual gives you the ability to print with two colors or use one for a cheap or desolvable supports.
Have anyone also battled with themselves about this decision and what did you decide and why? I am using one E3D if it matters.

[Batteau62]

Do not feel alone, my original plan was always dual extrusion. I even still have double of all the stock parts for it. My "fear" is if I mess with my max, which prints nicely, I won't get it back if I break it. My plan is to save up and buy a second one. That way I'll have a " sand box" to play in

[int2str]

I am very keen on dual extruders, mainly for desolvable supports. In theory, desolvable supports opens up a whole new range of printable objects. My son is very interested in printing video game models/characters, which are far too complex to print without good supports that are easy to remove.

So I will likely go dual extrusion simply for desolvable supports.
I hope I'm not putting too much faith in them...

[dpmacri]

I always wanted to go to dual extrusion for the dissolvable supports, plus the option of printing in two colors. Having just got my MAX back in August, I *requested* an "Add-a-struder" kit for my birthday in October. But then I also ordered an E3D hot-end before I ever setup the dual extruders, and made another *request* for a second E3D hot-end for Christmas, which I got. As I've posted elsewhere, I have two E3D extruders mounted, now, but I'm struggling to get a decent print because one of the nozzles ends up a few fractions of a millimeter higher (maybe .2) than the other . So I need to alter my mount to try to get them to the same height. Or, sigh, wait and go with a Kraken which has the nice mechanism for adjusting the nozzle heights .

Anyway, like Batteau62 fears, my setup is currently in a semi-working state because of my switch to dual extruders. I haven't had the time to sit down and figure out the best way to adjust one of the nozzle heights.

[Eaglezsoar]

I always wanted to go to dual extrusion for the dissolvable supports, plus the option of printing in two colors. Having just got my MAX back in August, I *requested* an "Add-a-struder" kit for my birthday in October. But then I also ordered an E3D hot-end before I ever setup the dual extruders, and made another *request* for a second E3D hot-end for Christmas, which I got. As I've posted elsewhere, I have two E3D extruders mounted, now, but I'm struggling to get a decent print because one of the nozzles ends up a few fractions of a millimeter higher (maybe .2) than the other . So I need to alter my mount to try to get them to the same height. Or, sigh, wait and go with a Kraken which has the nice mechanism for adjusting the nozzle heights .

Anyway, like Batteau62 fears, my setup is currently in a semi-working state because of my switch to dual extruders. I haven't had the time to sit down and figure out the best way to adjust one of the nozzle heights.

May I ask what mount you are using for the two E3D hot-ends?

[dpmacri]

I always wanted to go to dual extrusion for the dissolvable supports, plus the option of printing in two colors. Having just got my MAX back in August, I *requested* an "Add-a-struder" kit for my birthday in October. But then I also ordered an E3D hot-end before I ever setup the dual extruders, and made another *request* for a second E3D hot-end for Christmas, which I got. As I've posted elsewhere, I have two E3D extruders mounted, now, but I'm struggling to get a decent print because one of the nozzles ends up a few fractions of a millimeter higher (maybe .2) than the other . So I need to alter my mount to try to get them to the same height. Or, sigh, wait and go with a Kraken which has the nice mechanism for adjusting the nozzle heights .

Anyway, like Batteau62 fears, my setup is currently in a semi-working state because of my switch to dual extruders. I haven't had the time to sit down and figure out the best way to adjust one of the nozzle heights.

May I ask what mount you are using for the two E3D hot-ends?

The one I created: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:217662

[foshon]

I always wanted to go to dual extrusion for the dissolvable supports, plus the option of printing in two colors. Having just got my MAX back in August, I *requested* an "Add-a-struder" kit for my birthday in October. But then I also ordered an E3D hot-end before I ever setup the dual extruders, and made another *request* for a second E3D hot-end for Christmas, which I got. As I've posted elsewhere, I have two E3D extruders mounted, now, but I'm struggling to get a decent print because one of the nozzles ends up a few fractions of a millimeter higher (maybe .2) than the other . So I need to alter my mount to try to get them to the same height. Or, sigh, wait and go with a Kraken which has the nice mechanism for adjusting the nozzle heights .

Anyway, like Batteau62 fears, my setup is currently in a semi-working state because of my switch to dual extruders. I haven't had the time to sit down and figure out the best way to adjust one of the nozzle heights.

IIRC Slic3r allows for offsetting the z height of each nozzle separately.

[dpmacri]

I always wanted to go to dual extrusion for the dissolvable supports, plus the option of printing in two colors. Having just got my MAX back in August, I *requested* an "Add-a-struder" kit for my birthday in October. But then I also ordered an E3D hot-end before I ever setup the dual extruders, and made another *request* for a second E3D hot-end for Christmas, which I got. As I've posted elsewhere, I have two E3D extruders mounted, now, but I'm struggling to get a decent print because one of the nozzles ends up a few fractions of a millimeter higher (maybe .2) than the other . So I need to alter my mount to try to get them to the same height. Or, sigh, wait and go with a Kraken which has the nice mechanism for adjusting the nozzle heights .

Anyway, like Batteau62 fears, my setup is currently in a semi-working state because of my switch to dual extruders. I haven't had the time to sit down and figure out the best way to adjust one of the nozzle heights.

IIRC Slic3r allows for offsetting the z height of each nozzle separately.

That would be interesting, but I don't see how it could work. If I want to just print with the one nozzle that has a higher z height, that will drive the other nozzle into the bed for the first layer . Looking at the Slic3r config now, I see that there's a global "Z offset" which basically allows you to compensate for your Z=0 layer actually being slightly off.

[foshon]

It's quite probable my memory sucks. Have you thought about machining the top of the nozzle?

[dpmacri]

It's quite probable my memory sucks. Have you thought about machining the top of the nozzle?

That's a good thought, too, but what I really plan to do (as soon as I get the time to work on it) is just to measure the offset and then modify my dual E3D mount to account for it. My fear is that if I mess with the nozzle, I'll screw it up beyond repair .