Multiple Extruders - Why?

[JohnStack]

[Edited - twice]
I've followed all of the dual and multiple extruder threads and while it is attractive, I thought I would explore its purpose and rationale.

From common sense, I see the following benefits:

Speed - Two heads means more area printed. Slicing software can split the job between two extruders.

Colors - Some software can print multiple colors. Some for specific layers, regions on the print, and different colors on perimeters and infill.

Materials - While I haven't seen much on it yet, I assume you can print different materials (like nylon on the outside and ABS on the inside, or as DBMacri/ToyGuy say printing with dissolvable support material)

Multiple Parts / Print Regions - Related to speed, you can print more than one part, each using a different extruder. I assume the same things apply, more than one part, more than one material, more than one head **.

Nozzle Flexibility - You might choose to have available different nozzle sizes [JimsGuitar] to print non-critical areas with one size and critical with a finer size.

Are there any other reasons to adopt dual extruder/heads?

While we're early at it, I'm still trying to grasp the scope of it all.


** This begs different questions - mainly about the concept of homegeneousness:

1. Different Heads - I've seen configs with an E3D and a stock Rostock head. I didn't look into the specific config but I have to assume it would be difficult to homogenize performance between the two. I assume you can just choose or possibly use both in a single print.

2. Different Materials - If you've printed for a while with different reels, you have different performance almost on a reel by reel basis. How do you handle it?

3. Different parts - some parts are no brainers but if you're doing a multi-part print, print behavior is not on a layer by layer basis, it's frequently part by part. Does a dual extruder make a difference here? Can using one ameliorate some of the issues you might have?

Apologies for the length, any of you people with two or more heads, I'd sure like to hear your thoughts!

[dpmacri]

I've followed all of the dual and multiple extruder threads and while it is attractive, I thought I would explore its purpose and rationale.

From common sense, I see the following benefits:

Speed - Two heads means more area printed. Slicing software can split the job between two extruders.

Colors - Some software can print multiple colors. Some for specific layers, regions on the print, and different colors on perimeters and infill.

Materials - While I haven't seen much on it yet, I assume you can print different materials (like nylon on the outside and ABS on the inside.)

Multiple Parts / Print Regions - Related to speed, you can print more than one part, each using a different extruder. I assume the same things apply, more than one part, more than one material, more than one head **.

Nozzle Flexibility - You might choose to have available different nozzle sizes.

Are there any other reasons to adopt dual extruder/heads?

While we're early at it, I'm still trying to grasp the scope of it all.


** This begs different questions - mainly about the concept of homegeneousness:

1. Different Heads - I've seen configs with an E3D and a stock Rostock head. I didn't look into the specific config but I have to assume it would be difficult to homogenize performance between the two. I assume you can just choose or possibly use both in a single print.

2. Different Materials - If you've printed for a while with different reels, you have different performance almost on a reel by reel basis. How do you handle it?

3. Different parts - some parts are no brainers but if you're doing a multi-part print, print behavior is not on a layer by layer basis, it's frequently part by part. Does a dual extruder make a difference here? Can using one ameliorate some of the issues you might have?

Apologies for the length, any of you people with two or more heads, I'd sure like to hear your thoughts!

One use for the second extruder with a different material is to print support material in something that can be dissolved. E.g. ABS for the main object and HIPS for the support. The HIPS can be dissolved away with limonene. There's also a water soluble material but it's pretty expensive, whereas HIPS is pretty much the same price as ABS/PLA.

[Toyguy]

Though I don't have two yet, my desire is for multiple colors and dissolvable support material.

[neurascenic]

I would like to understand these items in the list a little more

[Edited]

Speed - Two heads means more area printed. Slicing software can split the job between two extruders.

I don't see the advantage to this, Much of the time, only one could print any way. Any examples of something like this?

[Edited]
Multiple Parts / Print Regions - Related to speed, you can print more than one part, each using a different extruder. I assume the same things apply, more than one part, more than one material, more than one head **.

If so, wouldn't the objects need to be fairly small? no larger than the distance between the extruders (probably a little smaller)

[Edited]
Nozzle Flexibility - You might choose to have available different nozzle sizes.

[Edited]

This is a curious one, though would like to understand what the advantages would be. I guess I am thinking of a single print, not... not having to swap heads...

My reason for wanting multiple extruders would to print dissolvable support material.

Thanks!

[Jimustanguitar]

What about using two different nozzle diameters so that you could squirt out non-critical sections quickly but still get high detail/precision on certain parts of a print? You could print to two different tolerances or detail levels, in other words.

[neurascenic]

What about using two different nozzle diameters so that you could squirt out non-critical sections quickly but still get high detail/precision on certain parts of a print? You could print to two different tolerances or detail levels, in other words.

Oh! I get it! Blinded by my own ignorance Open dem eyes!

[Jimustanguitar]

Oh! I get it! Blinder by my own ignorance Open dem eyes!

Don't worry. I didn't fully understand what I was trying to say until after I read it again later

[JohnStack]

What about using two different nozzle diameters so that you could squirt out non-critical sections quickly but still get high detail/precision on certain parts of a print? You could print to two different tolerances or detail levels, in other words.

Edited.