I’m looking for suggestions for a extremely reliable, multicolor printer. I really like the Ultimaker 2 for it’s speed and reliability but I need something that can print in at least two colors simultaneously.
Your question is an interesting one, because there is a previous post today from someone asking the reverse. He has a dual color printer and was asking for suggestions to purchase a second, single color printer. The suggestion that stood out in that case was the Ultimaker 2, your printer.
I believe that his printer may qualify for your requirements. The BCN3D Sigma has had good reviews from the many YouTube printer review channels, as well as good things said by current owners.
I’m a few days from taking receipt of this model and looking forward to putting it to good use.
Good luck with your search.
I checked out the BCN3D Sigma and it’s pretty nice. My only concern (besides the price tag) is that in the specs it says it uses 2.85mm filament, would 3mm filaments be incompatible or cause jams? I’m used to using 1.75mm filament and I really like the Hatchbox brand but they only make 1.75mm and 3mm size filament. I’m hesitant to buy a printer where I would need to experiment with filament brands all over again.
One of the printers I’m considering is the BigBoxDual but I know it’s “experimental” as are most dual extrusion printers, has anyone had firsthand experience with it?
Bcn3d sigma is awesome for two colors
The 2.85 really doesn’t preform differently but uses a higher pressure to drive it. you won’t notice any print differences. But I see where you are coming from with the different filaments. If you really want a reliable setup you’re gonna have to pay the price and that just is one of the trade offs. It’s an awesome machine
@Adam_Steinmark almost all “3mm” filament is actually 2.85+/-0.10mm, it’s just an old naming convention from the days when RapRaps ran on plastic welding rod. You could say it’s intended to fit through a 3mm bore extruder, whereas 1.75 is the actual nominal size.
There exists 3mm and 2.85mm filaments, but many manufacturers sell their 2.85mm labeled as 3mm.
I feel the pain of 3mm filament, it seems that most vendors have a much larger selection of 1.75mm
I would look into the Hurculein https://github.com/eclsnowman/HercuLien or eustathios
@Ryan_Carlyle @Stephanie_A Filaments from Chinese suppliers are more likely to be 3.0mm.
Those from http://reprappertech.com are specified as 3.0 +/-0.05mm as one example. They also have a good range of filament and, if you can stomach it, I believe it is sold through Walmart.
@Adam_Steinmark I recall the technical specifications for the BCN3D Sigma saying 3mm filament.
@Richard_Horne has put Chinese 3.0mm filament through his Sigmas. He can confirm, or not, that it works.
I wouldn’t worry about the 3mm vs 2.85. Buy the 2.85 and use it. We have a lulzbot mini at school and I refuse to order 2.85 filament as we have literally 35 1.75 printers so instead I just shoved some 1.75 in it and it has printed great for months. Your .15mm difference shouldn’t be a big deal.
Thanks for all the help guys I really appreciate it. It seems like the general consensus is that the Sigma is the best option. Does anyone have any suggestions for relatively cheap 2.85mm filament that can still print reliably? If I have to spring for the ColorFabb I can but I don’t want to have to pay double per kg than what I’m paying for my other printer.
@Aric_Norine My desire for dual extrusion is mainly for color but time is also a factor. I need to have prints ready when they come out of the machine with some minor touchups like removing support material. For the project I’m considering I won’t have time to paint or do much to the print.
@Stephanie_A I took a look at the Hurculein and it looks like a nice machine but I already have a printer I can mod and tinker with, for this project I’m looking for something extremely reliable; a printer that I can just let run and won’t have to worry about or spend a lot of time with.
@Neil_Darlow BCN3D is fairly specific about the printer needing 2.85mm filament. If you look at https://www.bcn3dtechnologies.com/en/catalog/bcn3d-sigma/ under materials you can see they even suggest ColorFabb as a supplier for filament because they only make 1.75mm and 2.85mm filament.
@Adam_Steinmark I have some experience of the BCN3D Sigma and I took the specification from the website before I ordered mine.
Full disclosure: I don’t have a Sigma now.
Where do you live? If you’re in the US inland PLA is $15 a roll and extremely reliable. I’m pretty sure they still offer 2.85 filament
@Griffin_Paquette I’m a little confused because BCN3D mentions ESUN ABS as a compatible filament for the Sigma but they only make 1.75mm and 3mm (Accuracy:2.9-3.0mm). I am in the US but I can’t seem to find anything but 1.75mm filament from Inland. I did find a brand called MeltInk3d which carries 2.85mm filament and seems to be much more reasonably priced.