A YouTuber on the “Make Anything” channel has explained his workflow for multicolor 3D printing with just one extruder in a new video. With the help of the “Multipass” technique, several colors can be realized with a conventional FDM 3D printer.
In the video, the YouTuber uses the example of a phone case with two-color graphics to demonstrate how the parts can be prepared and printed in Prusa Slicer. To do this, the model is divided into its color components and these are printed one after the other.
According to the YouTuber, exact positioning of the elements is very important. The first layer should also be exactly as high as the graphic elements themselves, in this case 0.4 mm. This ensures clean transitions between the colors. Small errors, such as an outline that is too close, can be corrected afterwards, he explains.
Overall, the technique worked very well and the end result looks great. With the approach presented, ambitious multicolor prints can be produced relatively easily with a conventional single extruder, he concludes.
Automation of certain sub-steps using scripts could simplify the workflow even more in the future. More complex color gradients are also possible in a single G-code, but require more expertise. In any case, the technology shown is suitable for beginners.
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