Dual-Color/Material 3D Printing with the LulzBot TAZ Dual Extruder

2023-12-21 | By Lulzbot

License: See Original Project 3D Printing

Guide by LulzBot

Dual-Color/Material 3D Printing with the LulzBot TAZ Dual Extruder v3 Tool Head

The Dual Extruder v3 Tool Head is optimized for printing models with soluble support ‎material. However, advanced users have successfully printed dual-colored and multi-‎material models. There are only a few simple steps to follow!‎‎ ‎

Dual color or dual material 3D printing requires a model specifically designed for dual ‎extrusion, saved as two separate .STL files, one for each material or color. For the ‎purposes of this tutorial, we are using THIS MODEL.‎‎

1. Load both STL files into Cura LE. At this point it doesn't matter if both models fit on ‎the bed plate.‎

files_1

‎2. Select the part of the model you wish to print with extruder 1 and choose Print ‎Selected Model with Extruder 1. Do the same for the second part of the model and ‎select Print Selected Model with Extruder 2.

model_2 ‎

3. Right click anywhere in the dark grey area of the Prepare screen to pull up the Options ‎menu and choose Select All Models. Right click again and choose Merge Models. The ‎two models will move together on the virtual print bed as they will be printed. Position ‎the combined model as desired on the print bed. (Selecting Center Selected Model will ‎place the model directly in the center of the print surface.)‎

center_3

center_4

center_5

Printing With Ooze Shield or Prime Tower Enabled

Sometimes, particularly with two colors that have a high degree of contrast, oozing ‎between the colors may occur. Enabling the Ooze Shield Setting in Cura LE can help ‎mitigate this. An ooze shield is a thin, removable shield that prints around your model, ‎minimizing color bleeding. Enabling the Prime Tower also helps reduce oozing and ‎adding a brim to the prime tower aids in bed adhesion.

bed_6

Important Tips: ‎

When selecting materials for your dual-colored print, be mindful of the ‎temperature settings for both the heat bed and the nozzle.
Materials with similar ‎temperature settings adhere better to one another than materials with drastically ‎different settings. ‎
LulzBot Mini Users: Want to join the ranks of Dual Extruder v3 Users? Get ‎a LulzBot TAZ 6 or a Factory Refurbished LulzBot TAZ 6! ‎ ‎ ‎

Suggested Material Combinations:‎‎