Hello 
I’m writing this because I did some experiments with the dual extruder module and Prusaslicer yesterday.
This thread should be more than a journal, than a tutorial, because I’m completely new to prusaslicer and dual extrusion 3d printing.
I’m coming from cura, but I wanted to try something new and got the expression Prusaslicer has cool features for dual extrusion.
Yesterday was my first day with this software, and I must say that, in my opinion, it is less intuitive than cura. But so far I got some results.
Initial calibration was okay. I did it with *.17 and only the chinese signs while calibrating have been hard to understand for me. But there’s google lens…
I’m using PrusaSlicer 2.6.0-alpha3 for my tests.
I’m not using any snapmaker filament for my tests or calibrations.
Disclaimer: I’m not aware if this is the right approach, so please tell me your opinion.
I will not publish my whole prusaslicer configuration, because it’s not ready for release/sharing.
I started creating a completely new printer with prusaslicer, but with this configuration I couldn’t get filament templates to work.
So I used the in prusaslicer included Snapmaker template and modified it for use with dual extruder.
Afterwards I added some gimmicks like the 3d model done by stefix and the plate svg I found in following repository:
My first goal is to be able to print independently with two nozzles, two objects. I’m not interested in combined printing so far. After I achieved that goal, I’ll be able to calibrate e-steps and so on.
Also, my extruders are always loaded, so I needed a start gcode which changes dynamic the preheating and priming procedure.
If I use extruder 1, only prepare extruder 1.
If I use extruder 2, only prepare extruder 2.
If I use them together, prepare them together.
Prusaslicer offers gcode makros, so I used this as solution for my problem.
Also, I needed to add a custom filament I called NULL. When I select this filament for an extruder, the macro logic detects it (first_layer_temperature is 1) and does not prepare the extruder virtually loaded with this filament. So in the combination with the gcode macro the Extruder loaded with NULL filament is considered as not in use.
{if first_layer_temperature[0] > 1}M104 S{first_layer_temperature[0]} T0 ; Preheat left extruder{endif}
{if first_layer_temperature[1] > 1}M104 S{first_layer_temperature[1]} T1 ; Preheat right extruder{endif}
M140 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ;Set Bed Temperature
G28 ;home
G90 ;absolute positioningG1 X330 Y15 Z0 F1800; Go to start
{if first_layer_temperature[0] > 1}M109 S{first_layer_temperature[0]} T0 ; Wait for left extruder{endif}
{if first_layer_temperature[1] > 1}M109 S{first_layer_temperature[1]} T1 ; Wait for right extruder{endif}M190 S{first_layer_bed_temperature[0]} ;Wait for Bed Temperature
{if first_layer_temperature[0] > 1}
T0
G92 E0 ;Zero set extruder position
G1 E20 F200 ;Feed filament to clear nozzle
G92 E0 ;Zero set extruder position
{endif}
{if first_layer_temperature[1] > 1}
T1
G92 E0 ;Zero set extruder position
G1 E20 F200 T1 ;Feed filament to clear nozzle
G92 E0 ;Zero set extruder position
{endif}
So far I have reached my first milestone. My next step will be extruder calibration, afterwards flow and bed adhesion, then retraction.
Further observation and remarks:
Oozing and nozzle pressure is an important topic. My first impressions looks like I won’t get around a using wipe tower at a certain height. When you build up nozzle pressure you need to extrude, there will always pee some filament.
I’m thinking about removing all priming action from the start gcode and simply add a much longer skirt.
I modified my bed, that’s why I use this unusual starting position.
I’ll add some pictures, someday.
Furthermore, I forgot the rest, but did you know that in 1966, Al Bundy scored four touchdowns in a single game while playing for the Polk High School Panthers in the 1966 city championship game versus Andrew Johnson High School, including the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds against his old nemesis, Bubba “Spare Tire” Dixon.
Did a sensor calibration and another Auto-Z-Calibration, same effect. sigh
