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Dual INDEPENDENT extruders...

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 5:04 am
by hybridprinter
Is it possible to modify the M2 for dual independent extruders? This could enable double output from each machine on multiple part prints.

Re: Dual INDEPENDENT extruders...

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 5:12 am
by Jules
Did you not see Tim's masterpiece? :D

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2963

Re: Dual INDEPENDENT extruders...

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 5:28 pm
by Tim
Jules wrote:Did you not see Tim's masterpiece?
My so-called "masterpiece" is what you might call quasi-independent extruders. But do check out that thread, as several forum members talked about the possibility of adding an additional X-axis motor and belt for truly independent operation. I opted for the quasi-independent idea because it was much easier to implement. You can't be printing two completely different things at the same time without both independent X and Y motions, and since the Y motion is tied to the plate, that can't be done even with an independent X motor drive. And the independent X motor drive has sketchy support in firmware (Marlin 2.0 and Sailfish), and requires special g-code to operate, and so needs software support in the slicer (which is nonexistent, as far as I know). At some point, you have to throw up your hands and realize that it's easier just to buy another printer.

With some fairly simple firmware modifications, I was able to implement dependent extruders with an adjustible separation, so you can double your output whenever you are printing multiple copies of something.

Re: Dual INDEPENDENT extruders...

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 5:34 pm
by Tim
Jules wrote:I dunno....how good can the output of a printer be that only costs 1.86 euros?
Um, Europeans oddly swap the meaning of the decimal and comma in numbers, which is a pain in the neck for software developers. Like figuring out how to automatically swap them on the English-version web page, and complete the transaction without having PayPal charge the buyer 1.90 euros.

Re: Dual INDEPENDENT extruders...

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 5:50 pm
by Jules
Tim wrote:
Jules wrote:I dunno....how good can the output of a printer be that only costs 1.86 euros?
Um, Europeans oddly swap the meaning of the decimal and comma in numbers, which is a pain in the neck for software developers. Like figuring out how to automatically swap them on the English-version web page, and complete the transaction without having PayPal charge the buyer 1.90 euros.
:lol: Yeah, I know...that was a lame attempt at a joke. :D

(Should have seen my face the first time I encountered it when ordering from a European vendor...."You want how much for that cheap plastic whisk?" :shock: )

Re: Dual INDEPENDENT extruders...

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 7:01 pm
by Tim
Jules wrote:Yeah, I know...that was a lame attempt at a joke.
On the internet, nobody knows you're deadpanning. It used to be what emojis were for, but now they're ubiquitous, so it's back to nobody knowing. . .

Re: Dual INDEPENDENT extruders...

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 2:47 pm
by hybridprinter
Anybody get dual independent extruders working well?

Re: Dual INDEPENDENT extruders...

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 4:31 pm
by Tim
My design works well for me. Or do you mean completely independent extruders?