Multi Extruder and Simultaneous Prints

Controllers Smoothie
1

I’m currently designing a 1m x 1m x 1m 3D printer. I don’t currently own a smoothieboard but will absolutely be using it for my build. I really like what I’m seeing here. I was looking into some design features and had a question. I plan on having 4 extruders on this printer. I would like to be able to use them two ways. The first is the obvious way, a four color/filament extruder (one at a time). I would also like to spread out the 4 extruders to be able to do 4 simultaneous prints at a time. I understand that I can enslave the extruders steppers to the main stepper with hardware setup however, I would like to know if a module could be written to mirror the first extruder to the other extruders (sometimes 2, sometimes 3, sometimes 4, and sometimes 2 x 2) and possibly even operate it though G code.

I also plan on having 4 z-axis stepper motors to lift the bed. If the extruders are possible, I would like to do the same with the z-axis steppers to design a “real” auto bed leveling module.

Either way, I’ll figure it out. Just wanted to know if it will be possible to do it through firmware.

Thanks for your time,

David

Imported from wikidot

2

Hey.

If you want 4 extruder modules all answering the E commands at the same time, it’s as simple as modifying the extruder module to ignore the T commands for tool changes, which is a few lines change.

You could also have several extruders with the same tool number, which would probably do the other configurations you want.

Motor-based Z levelling is something that would require it’s own module, and on which several people are thinking of working right now.

If you need help to code any of this, don’t hesitate to ask.

Cheers.

3

Thanks for the quick reply!

I’ve got a long way to go but this is good to hear. Once I’ve got to the point of working the z axis, I would be happy to help. Great project once again.

David