As anyone who 3D prints knows, one of the limiting features is the ability to involve multiple filaments in a print job when its demanded. But, when this is possible, it significantly optimizes print quality and appearance, and so the idea is in high demand from certain sectors of the 3D printing space. It would be the easiest to go ahead and turn your single-head into a multi-head extruder, simply adding hardware onto what you already have. This is the idea behind a Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund a Multi-Filament 3D Print Head.
According to the Kickstarter page, this device got its name, CollideOScope, “because it is a collision of multiple colors and materials.” It works by using “7 push motors multiplexed to one motor driver.”
If you make minor changes to your coding script and connection, you can interact with the device, too. The device is currently at its final test phase and working with 3D software Simplify3D helped overcome a very challenging software issue. In fact, Advanced Automated reports that software was the biggest challenge in the whole project (Simplify3D helped to sort that out). Some process issues will be inevitable as every multi-colored 3D print has different challenges. But the company is excited to see how people will use and modify this product for their own purposes.
You can go check this out for yourself at the Kickstarter page here, watch the video below, and begin planning your multi-colored or multi-material prints today.
Let us know if you intend to back this project on Kickstarter. Discuss in the CollideOScope forum thread on 3DPB.com.