4 (or more) colors idea

[damian238]

because, why not?

[oldnslow]

A great idea indeed! The physical layout is very amenable to rapid changes and simple tool change logic - home x axis and spin C. Although have to replicate z and x axis for each tool, no finicky hardware required to get repeatable tool indexing etc.

[damian238]

You really think so? It struck me as a plausible upgrade even though I have no idea how to make a slicer or improve one.

[oldnslow]

Absolutely!, the basic aspect of the filament/tool change is already handled in the existing conventional slicers (i.e. Prusa/Superslicer/Cura). The 4 axis aspect generated by S4 would seem to just require a C axis offset for each different tool. This could likely be initially accomplished by a post processing script. The conventional slicer used for input to S4 will of course require a tool change macro unique to the Core-R-θ but this would be simple compared to the macros required for docked type tool change setups.

So, to my simple mind, no heavy duty slicing knowledge required! Probably the biggest challenge will be the mechanical design required to make sure each of the multiple X & Z axes pairs are parallel and normal to the C axis respectively - have been thinking about that for a little while but haven't settled on an approach yet.

[damian238]

Here's another variation using overhead gantries all using a common track for homing reference and leveling purposes.

[Anarchiste-mouton]

Hello, this concept looks interesting, but such a challenge to minimize vibration/flexion at jonction/center.
Slicer-wise, if you manage to come up with such an algorithm, I'll be able to tell my grandchildren ‘I was there’, if I ever find a wife.

Otherwise, what is this CAD ? For a moment I thought you made it with minecraft haha.

[damian238]

Secondlife actually. I find it useful for rapid mockups. I see the same frame braced at 4 corners. The "junction center" could as easily be attached to an upper brace/frame along with everything else. This is obviously just a rough sketch. I didn't flesh out the bearing placements, nor the rail attachments.

[PixelatedTsunami]

Has anyone seen this video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pM_ltAM7_s&t=743s

If this were possible to implement it would eliminate the need for multiple gantries for color control, you could then reduce the complexity of the above design to just 2-3 tools for multi-material prints and not for color. Thoughts? I don't know if it would be as simple to utilize on a non-planar printer that changes angle frequently; but maybe having 2-3 inlet channels to the head instead of 4 would make it work.