Adding an Extruder to an Ender5Plus, but the profile does not support 2 Extruders

[tdbinns 1]

I have added a 2nd extruder to my Ender5Plus and want to enable the 2nd extruder.  I looked and I can do it with the general printer but I lose the customization for the Ender5Plus.  I looked at the profiles and there is no 2nd extruder in the profile.   But after some studying the different profiles it appears it can be done.  I got it so I could set the material for the 2nd extruder but could not set the nozzle.  Are there any directions or has anyone done it and couple send me the modified profiles?   The aim is to have the 2nd extruder do the support material that runs at a lower temperature then the primary filament.

 

Thanks in Advance,

Todd

[gr5 2,172]

@GregValiant might know.

[GregValiant 1,251]

Yes I do.  In fact I'll do @tdbinns two better.

I'm attaching a zip file containing 3 extruder files and and an altered Creality Base machine definition file.  The end result will be that you could define a 4 extruder Creality printer.

 

The three extruder files are: 

"creality_base_extruder_1.def.json"

"creality_base_extruder_2.def.json"

"creality_base_extruder_3.def.json"

copy them into "C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura X.X.X\resources\extruders"

The "creality_base_extruder_0.json" file will already be in the folder.

Go to "C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura X.X.X\resources\definitions" and make a back-up copy of your current "creality_base.def.json" file.  Then copy the new base definition file into the folder.

 

You will be able to add additional extruders to any Creality printer.  Your Ender 5 definition file doesn't need to be changed as the information comes to it with the Creality_Base Definition file.

 

Like being all dressed up with nowhere to go...I prepared for it and then decided I'd never need a second extruder.

Multi-Extruder files.zip

[tdbinns 1]

Greg, thanks for the profiles.  I will try it out tomorrow.  I want the 2nd extruder for the support matter, that uses a much lower tempature.

 

Thanks,

Todd

[tdbinns 1]

That is great thanks for sharing your configuration.  :) 

[benpercival 0]

Unfortunately, this didn't work for me 😞 Tried reopening cura and no dice. 

[GregValiant 1,251]

If you have the files in the correct folders it should work.  In Cura 5.x the folders moved down a level.  They are now in:

"C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 5.2.1\share\cura\resources" and then in the Extruders and Definitions folders.

You might have to install another instance of your printer as your personal configuration may be based on the old definition.

[tdbinns 1]

Hi,

I am updating my Slicer to 5.6.0 and not able to select the 2 extruder for the Ender5 Plus.  Moved the files that Greg had supplied and saw the reference to the new folder above.   I get no errors when adding the new printer, but in the configuration it only has the single extruder that can be selected.

 

Are there new configuration files I need to use or has the method of adding the extruder changed?

 

Thanks in Advance,

Todd

[GregValiant 1,251]

The same files still work for me in 5.6.0.

The "creality_base.def.json" file calls for 4 possible extruders.  Extruder 0 is included with Cura and the other three are contained in that zip file.

Double check that you have the new "creality_base.def.json" file in the:

"C:\Program Files\UltiMaker Cura 5.6.0\share\cura\resources\definitions" folder.

Check that the 3 additional extruder files are in the:

"C:\Program Files\UltiMaker Cura 5.6.0\share\cura\resources\extruders" folder.

When the files are correctly placed you should see this in the Machine Settings in Cura and your Ender 5 Plus should be configurable with up to 4 extruders:

 

Edited March 4 by GregValiant

[tdbinns 1]

Greg

Sorry it took so long to reply to your suggestion.  I played with the files and I determined the new Cura doesn't like each extruder on a separate line.  I removed the line breaks and made it a single line and it works. 

Thanks for the great files,

Todd

[GregValiant 1,251]

Python wants the punctuation just right or the file won't load.

The Creality Base file should have something much like this in the "overrides" section.

 

      "machine_extruder_trains": {
        "0": "creality_base_extruder_0",
        "1": "creality_base_extruder_1",
        "2": "creality_base_extruder_2",
        "3": "creality_base_extruder_3"

 

That also gives the name of the extruder file (for each one) that must be in the "extruders" folder.  Cura supports up to 16 extruders but as you are finding out - screen real estate gets to be at a premium.

[Slashee_the_Cow 266]

1 hour ago, GregValiant said:

Python wants the punctuation just right or the file won't load.

Don't blame Python. The JSON parser in the Python standard library is much less strict than whatever Cura is using.

[GregValiant 1,251]

I always blame Python.  It certainly can't be MY fault when something goes wonky.