How to switch extruders back and forth in Cura

[awydra 0]

Hello,

I have recently started to do some experiments with dual extrusion and I'm wondering if it's possible to set the extruders' order in Cura settings. The thing is that for my new project I would like to print the supporting structure using the 1st extruder and the actual object with the 2nd extruder.

I know that I can basically switch the filaments between the extruders and I can get the same results but can I just set somewhere in setting that the 1st extruder should be used for support and the 2nd for the main object? This would safe me lots of time and help to avoid issues with clogged nozzle...

 

[drayson 75]

I read a post on this topic a while ago - don´t know if you mean this, but take a look here:

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/3590-individual-use-of-dual-extruders/&do=findComment&comment=27680

If you try, please post your experiance as I also started using my second nozzle a week ago...

 

[awydra 0]

Thank you, drayson.

That's indeed some solution and it is definitely very useful to know about it. However, in my case the support and main print switch between each other so often in the gcode that it would be really painfull to switch them manualy. BTW, my gcode has ~70 MB so you can just guess how many lines does it have and how many points when the extruders have to be switched...

Anyway, for right now I found some other solution: I figured out that Repetier Host (software which uses slic3r) allows to easily choose the extruder for the support and main print. I haven't done any experiment yet but it looks like it will work and I will definitely let you know about the result.

The only thing is that I prefer the gcode generated by Cura (the prints look just better) so if someone can add such a feature to Cura (even as a plugin) that would be a really mazing!

 

[drayson 75]

If you just want to extrude the main part @ nozzle1 while the support structure is printed @ nozzle2, cura is able to manage it. I have V14.1 installed and it works.

If you are looking for another application it would be good to know the use case first.

B.t.w. - my intension is to print PVA on the second nozzle as soluable support... Same idea?

[awydra 0]

It's kind of the same but not exactly... In my case the actual part has to be print out of PVA and the support out of PLA or ABS. So basically if I load PVA to the 1st extruder and PLA to the 2nd then everything should work fine... but I do not want to load PVA into the 1st extruder. I'm printing many stuff and for most of the cases I need PLA in the 1st extruder and only just for one print I would like to inverse everything... and switching from PLA to PVA using the same nozzle usually leads to the clogged nozzle... so it would be much more convenient if I can just set everything in the settings in Cura.

As I mentioned it looks like in theory the Repetier Host can manage that but how it will in practice... we will see :cool:

 

[Dim3nsioneer 558]

Just be aware that the filament diameter of the second extruder is (still) not properly implemented in Cura. The slicing engine just takes diameter 1 for diameter 2 independent of what you put into that 'diameter2' box on the GUI... :sad:

 

[drayson 75]

Really??? I have not recognized this...

My experiance is that I adjusted inpropper flow via setting a much smaller diameter on the second nozzle - and I got better results in dual print...

Independent settings would be really necessary - also for E-Steps and flow.

[Dim3nsioneer 558]

Really??? I have not recognized this...

My experiance is that I adjusted inpropper flow via setting a much smaller diameter on the second nozzle - and I got better results in dual print...

Independent settings would be really necessary - also for E-Steps and flow.

Just for reference: http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/3651-bigger-wipe-prime-tower/&do=findComment&comment=28360

 

[awydra 0]

Dim3nsioneer, that's good know about... I didnt' have a clue about that issue and hopefully it will be fixed soon... For right now I agree with drayson, the flow adjustment should help to solve it.

In the meantime I did the first experiment with my dual extrusion and I got some first results (see the photo):

The white material (support) is from the primary 1st extruder and the grey one is from the 2nd extruder so it works! Right now it's time for another harder experiment with PVA...