Ever since I saw the first leaks of the U1 I had this idea in my head of why not swap filament on the toolhead(s) not being used, while the active toolhead prints? That will basically erase any filament change time wasted in a normal AMS system (this is the downfall of the “innovative” H2C for over 7 colors,it still just sits there while changing).
We can’t save purge waste like a nozzle changer or just adding more toolheads, but this is a great optimization for people who value the TIME it takes to print, which was always my issue with AMS prints, I didn’t care as much about the poop waste, filament is cheap, but some prints ended up taking up the printer(s) way too long, and that’s what this mainly tackles.
There is still purge savings, as it uses tip tuning vs cutting the filament, and if you properly use -flush to infill- there is VERY little waste (you should be using flush to infill on any filament swapping printer when you can get away with it).
I’ve been working (way too much) on getting this done ever since mine arrived.
I’m calling it Sidecar.
7-10-13-16 (or more) colors.
Swap/purge while other toolheads are printing, no time added to print in most cases.
MMU Mechanicals based on the Box Turtle (frame, extruder, respooler system for now), working on a complete custom MMU system for the future.
The ViVid was considered since it has RFID and Drying, but it didn’t have the amount of controllability and customizability I wanted.
Custom RP2350B based MCU
Preprocessing/optimization engine that helps you rearrange spools between static tools (if any) and Sidecar units, and/or color order in Orca, for the least amount of purge waste and color swap down time, if you chose.
Actual filament weight remaining on each spool from a load cell under each tray, (not just estimated like spoolman etc) no more wondering if you have enough left on a spool, the Sidecar warns you if any spools needed for a print don’t have enough to finish it,and just glance at the touchscreen to see exactly how much is left on each one.
Supports concurrent loading of all 4 toolheads, if you’re just printing a 2-3-4 color print, Sidecars will unload/load the needed filaments and purge them all at once, saves a little print start time.
Although I never use it and find it gimickey, RFID support IS built in using NTAG open source tags.
Enlarged purge bin that goes to the bottom of the U1 (really not needed except for huge prints with tons of color changes if you are NOT using flush to infill)
I know there is an obsession with dryers in here, these *can* be enclosed and dryers attached, it’s just not a priority right now and I think the need for them is overblown, at least to be part of an MMU/spool holder system.
Streamlined connections:
USB-LAN from U1 to SideCar for MMU Engine communication.
6P cable for QuickPurge bracket control.
4P cable connected to each 4-1 combiner/buffer assembly.
Auxiliary Sidecars plug into the main with standard USB-C cables.
I’m working on getting the last auxiliary Sidecar built so I have all 4 toolheads swapping colors in the same print and I’ll be back with some videos of the action on a 16 color print.
do you plan have it commercially available through a store? eu maybe? I’d like to subscribe to at least 2 units.
