Welcome to the SeeMeCNC Community

Okay, I haven't ordered my printer, YET, but I am getting very close.

I do have a question that has me wondering....

Why can't you have multiple filaments, each with their own extruder, and have them all using the same hot end?
Seems like you could make a manifold-like guide that fed them all to the same head.
Obviously you have to retract past the merge point if you are switching filaments, but what would stop one from switching to a different filament at will?

There are printers that do something very similar to what you want to do but they are very expensive.
Sounds like a good project for you to develop on the deltas from Seemecnc.

I think that is how they are doing Color Blending. If you don't want to blend, I think you would have to figure out a way to purge the residual color between color switches.

Either that, or have the extruder plan ahead real well. even then, there will be a little bit of color mixing that if your particular... would have to be purged.

Like this?

http://www.3ders.org//articles/20140226 ... ction.html

The future of 3D printing? I don't think so. The software doesn't seem ready but this may be just a prototype and I bet it is quite costly.

or this

http://youtu.be/vmn7K1U06Wc

bubbasnow wrote:or this

http://youtu.be/vmn7K1U06Wc

So that's what Sanjay is developing next. Damn, I'm going to run out of money trying to keep up with all the new technologies.

The first printer makes me laugh, I'm pretty sure its a conglomeration of the Ultimaker 2 with a RepRapPro Tricolour Mendel. Seems to be using the Mendel's extruder and the Ultimaker's frame and basic design (boo ya Parallel kinematics!)

I actually have parts on order to attempt something like this.
I've posted in another thread asking about a purge solution and I'm trying different things right now.

Without the purge solution, I'll still try to see what I can come up with and will post a video if I succeed.

I think given the size of our effectors and also the headache of levelling multiple nozzles and not knocking down parts mid print, this would be a better solution.

If the transition is quick and predictable between color changes then the change over could also be handled with software.

Have a look at what RichRap did, not perfect for a delta but a good place to start…
http://richrap.com/?p=121
I'm using this as a starting point for a bowden based 3 way feed for a delta,
Cheers
Jas

That is one cool hotend being fed from 3 colors of filament. Very creative and darned impressive.