Colour mixing now a reality Colour mixing now a reality with Repetier's mixing extruder firmware (http://www.repetier.com/firmware/v092/index.html) printing with a Tri-colour hotend. See the mixing extruder theory by Repetier at https://github.com/repetier/Repetier-Firmware/blob/work092/doc/Mixing%20extruder%20theory.txt This allow you to print with 16 virtual extruders with as many filament feeds your printer can accommodate. Two prints on my delta printer with a Tri-colour hotend.(http://deltaprinter.co.za/tri-colour/index.html) [attachment 43054 colourmixing2.jpg] [attachment 43055 colourmixing.jpg] https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,427640#msg-427640 Tue, 12 May 2026 01:42:38 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,577326#msg-577326 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,577326#msg-577326
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kurosame

Hi Xabbax, I really would like to recreate this effect with my prusa i3 printer. I cannot find any code example that shows how to use the M163 and M164 color mixing code. Can you share some gcode tips on the color mixing?

I am currently using v92 firmware and I only need to figure out how to generate the correct gcode... thx ahead

I have an example of g-code for 3 items that I printed as well as the eeprom settings for the three extruders used on my website at [deltaprinter.co.za]]]> Xabbax General Fri, 30 Oct 2015 01:29:13 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,576351#msg-576351 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,576351#msg-576351
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Xabbax
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Ohmarinus
So, if you manage to mix two colors, do you get a new color if you are using three primary colors as base filament? That way it theoretically *should* be possible to output RGB values.
Yes you can build your own colour scheme. I used the basic red, yellow and blue(Not RGB)
In the image below I started off with red then added 10% yellow and decreased the red with 10% in stages until pure yellow then did the same with blue until pure blue and then again with red until pure red.
Then printed pure yellow,red,yellow,blue, yellow and then added red and blue to the yellow in the same percentage (printing all three colours at the same time at different percentages) to the top.
[attachment 43567 colourmixing4.jpg]

Hi Xabbax, I really would like to recreate this effect with my prusa i3 printer. I cannot find any code example that shows how to use the M163 and M164 color mixing code. Can you share some gcode tips on the color mixing?
I am currently using v92 firmware and I only need to figure out how to generate the correct gcode... thx ahead]]> kurosame General Wed, 28 Oct 2015 01:02:17 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,483579#msg-483579 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,483579#msg-483579 pandionx General Sat, 14 Mar 2015 19:08:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,433835#msg-433835 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,433835#msg-433835
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nophead
How does it achieve good mixing where Bath university and RichRap failed?

I do not know if it is mixing better. The inlets are not in one plane - that may result in more swirling in the chamber where the three tubes converge.]]> Xabbax General Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:22:07 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,433318#msg-433318 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,433318#msg-433318 nophead General Mon, 17 Nov 2014 13:36:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,433314#msg-433314 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,433314#msg-433314
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nophead
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cat.farmer
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nophead
You need the secondary colours, i.e. cyan, magenta and yellow when mixing pigments that absorb and reflect light as they are subtractive. The primary colours are used for processes where the colours add.

you would also need black and white filaments for color mixing to create the proper shade.

Yes you will certainly need white as well because in 2D printing you get white by not printing anything and letting the paper show but that doesn't work in 3D. In theory cyan + magenta + yellow makes black. In practice black is used as well to save ink and get a more accurate black.

The CMY minus the K always results in a lesser black. It will never be experienced as a good black, this is just impossible. However, a lot of times a little bit of Magenta is added to blacK to make it appear a deeper black.

Xabbax, your latest test looks super! Man, this technique really has great potential. Time is all we need, I hope hotends for this tech are soon available and the software will mature fast enough to support these kinds of hotends I imagine.]]> Ohmarinus General Mon, 17 Nov 2014 13:19:20 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,433175#msg-433175 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,433175#msg-433175
Not only vertical colour mixing but also horizontal colour mixing possible.
I designed the article in Openscad, exported the different colour components in .amf format,
then used Slic3r 1.1.7 file --> Combine multi-material STL files... to re-assemble the colour .amf files exported from Openscad
to build a complete .amf file. I then used Slic3r 1.2.1 to slice the files to a g-code file that was used to print.
(I tried Slic3r 1.1.7 for the slice but gave up because the layers were all messed up)

I printed the infill before the perimeters to purge the previous colour in the infill.]]> Xabbax General Mon, 17 Nov 2014 06:24:38 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431289#msg-431289 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431289#msg-431289
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cat.farmer
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nophead
You need the secondary colours, i.e. cyan, magenta and yellow when mixing pigments that absorb and reflect light as they are subtractive. The primary colours are used for processes where the colours add.

you would also need black and white filaments for color mixing to create the proper shade.

Yes you will certainly need white as well because in 2D printing you get white by not printing anything and letting the paper show but that doesn't work in 3D. In theory cyan + magenta + yellow makes black. In practice black is used as well to save ink and get a more accurate black.]]> nophead General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:04:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431276#msg-431276 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431276#msg-431276
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nophead
I think you confuse me with RichRap. I have never done any colour mixing since mixing paints at school!
My apologies for the confusion!!]]> Xabbax General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:37:03 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431273#msg-431273 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431273#msg-431273
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nophead
You need the secondary colours, i.e. cyan, magenta and yellow when mixing pigments that absorb and reflect light as they are subtractive. The primary colours are used for processes where the colours add.

you would also need black and white filaments for color mixing to create the proper shade.]]> cat.farmer General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:32:59 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431246#msg-431246 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431246#msg-431246 nophead General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 08:28:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431235#msg-431235 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431235#msg-431235
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nophead
You need the secondary colours, i.e. cyan, magenta and yellow when mixing pigments that absorb and reflect light as they are subtractive. The primary colours are used for processes where the colours add.

Thank you for the input Nophead - Appreciate the expert advice - your colour mixing blog led me to experiment and try and get mine to work.]]> Xabbax General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 08:03:27 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431225#msg-431225 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431225#msg-431225
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dave3d
Printing with 3 primary colours, an RGB printer in effect, would in theory allow sophisticated multi coloured art work or lettering to be incorporated within the print if the software was capable of it. This would be a game changer.

Xabbax, after your earlier post I started to source the bits to make a hotend myself. I have not got very far yet. It is a fairly complicated assembly that needs to be silver soldered together. Any plans to sell them? or as garyhlucas suggested getting a version metal printed that you can mass produce and put on the market?

Does having 5 tubes going into the hotend present any particular problems? Did you need to beef up the motors or slow the print down?

I do not use tools other than drill, dremel, and handy gas flame to make the hotends. The tricky part is the silver solder. You have to be careful not to over heat the stainless tubes.
5 or 6 tubes into the hotend should not be a problem. For that you will need a board that can accommodate 8 or 9 steppers. The other problem will be to have the motors attached to the hotend to drive the filament.
I use 76 ounce nema 17 steppers.

The g-code settings for speed and other settings for the following print:

[attachment 43568 repetier-host.jpg]

; avoid_crossing_perimeters = 0
; bed_size = 200,200
; bed_temperature = 0
; bridge_acceleration = 0
; bridge_fan_speed = 100
; bridge_flow_ratio = 1
; brim_width = 5
; complete_objects = 0
; cooling = 1
; default_acceleration = 0
; disable_fan_first_layers = 1
; duplicate_distance = 6
; end_gcode = M104 S0 ; turn off temperature\nM106 S0;\nM400;\nG28; home all axes\nM84 ; disable motors
; external_perimeters_first = 0
; extruder_clearance_height = 20
; extruder_clearance_radius = 20
; extruder_offset = 0x0
; extrusion_axis = E
; extrusion_multiplier = 1
; fan_always_on = 0
; fan_below_layer_time = 60
; filament_diameter = 1.65
; first_layer_acceleration = 0
; first_layer_bed_temperature = 0
; first_layer_extrusion_width = 200%
; first_layer_speed = 50%
; first_layer_temperature = 240
; g0 = 0
; gcode_arcs = 0
; gcode_comments = 0
; gcode_flavor = reprap
; infill_acceleration = 0
; infill_first = 0
; layer_gcode =
; max_fan_speed = 100
; min_fan_speed = 35
; min_print_speed = 10
; min_skirt_length = 0
; notes =
; nozzle_diameter = 0.65
; only_retract_when_crossing_perimeters = 0
; ooze_prevention = 0
; output_filename_format = [input_filename_base].gcode
; perimeter_acceleration = 0
; post_process =
; print_center = 0,0
; resolution = 0
; retract_before_travel = 2
; retract_layer_change = 1
; retract_length = 4
; retract_length_toolchange = 10
; retract_lift = 1.5
; retract_restart_extra = 1
; retract_restart_extra_toolchange = 0
; retract_speed = 300
; skirt_distance = 6
; skirt_height = 1
; skirts = 1
; slowdown_below_layer_time = 30
; spiral_vase = 0
; standby_temperature_delta = -5
; start_gcode = G28 ; home all axes\nM106 S100;
; temperature = 240
; threads = 2
; toolchange_gcode =
; travel_speed = 65
; use_firmware_retraction = 0
; use_relative_e_distances = 0
; vibration_limit = 0
; wipe = 0
; z_offset = 0
; dont_support_bridges = 1
; extrusion_width = 0
; first_layer_height = 100%
; infill_only_where_needed = 0
; interface_shells = 0
; layer_height = 0.35
; raft_layers = 0
; seam_position = aligned
; support_material = 0
; support_material_angle = 0
; support_material_enforce_layers = 0
; support_material_extruder = 1
; support_material_extrusion_width = 0
; support_material_interface_extruder = 1
; support_material_interface_layers = 0
; support_material_interface_spacing = 0
; support_material_interface_speed = 100%
; support_material_pattern = rectilinear
; support_material_spacing = 2.5
; support_material_speed = 30
; support_material_threshold = 0
; bottom_solid_layers = 3
; bridge_speed = 40
; external_perimeter_speed = 70%
; extra_perimeters = 1
; fill_angle = 45
; fill_density = 30%
; fill_pattern = rectilinear
; gap_fill_speed = 15
; infill_every_layers = 1
; infill_extruder = 1
; infill_extrusion_width = 0
; infill_speed = 40
; overhangs = 1
; perimeter_extruder = 1
; perimeter_extrusion_width = 0
; perimeter_speed = 25
; perimeters = 3
; small_perimeter_speed = 25
; solid_fill_pattern = rectilinear
; solid_infill_below_area = 70
; solid_infill_every_layers = 0
; solid_infill_extrusion_width = 0
; solid_infill_speed = 40
; thin_walls = 1
; top_infill_extrusion_width = 0
; top_solid_infill_speed = 35
; top_solid_layers = 4]]> Xabbax General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:35:19 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431222#msg-431222 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431222#msg-431222 nophead General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:28:17 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431216#msg-431216 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431216#msg-431216
Quote
Ohmarinus
So, if you manage to mix two colors, do you get a new color if you are using three primary colors as base filament? That way it theoretically *should* be possible to output RGB values.
Yes you can build your own colour scheme. I used the basic red, yellow and blue(Not RGB)
In the image below I started off with red then added 10% yellow and decreased the red with 10% in stages until pure yellow then did the same with blue until pure blue and then again with red until pure red.
Then printed pure yellow,red,yellow,blue, yellow and then added red and blue to the yellow in the same percentage (printing all three colours at the same time at different percentages) to the top.
[attachment 43567 colourmixing4.jpg]]]> Xabbax General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:10:54 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431150#msg-431150 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431150#msg-431150
Xabbax, after your earlier post I started to source the bits to make a hotend myself. I have not got very far yet. It is a fairly complicated assembly that needs to be silver soldered together. Any plans to sell them? or as garyhlucas suggested getting a version metal printed that you can mass produce and put on the market?

Does having 5 tubes going into the hotend present any particular problems? Did you need to beef up the motors or slow the print down?]]> dave3d General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 05:00:56 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431127#msg-431127 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431127#msg-431127 Ohmarinus General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 04:22:06 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431117#msg-431117 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431117#msg-431117
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kimented_
Hi,
Your work is great and promising!
I see you only change the color by the Z axis. It is not possible to change the color on X-Y ? Are you already working at this stuff?

To change colour on X-Y will require a purge of the previous colour outside the print area.(or in an infill) - No I have not tried that out but it can be done if you fiddle around with the g-code.]]> Xabbax General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 04:00:49 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431107#msg-431107 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,431107#msg-431107 Your work is great and promising!
I see you only change the color by the Z axis. It is not possible to change the color on X-Y ? Are you already working at this stuff?]]> kimented_ General Wed, 12 Nov 2014 03:29:58 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,430780#msg-430780 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,430780#msg-430780
[attachment 43521 colourmixing4.jpg]
[attachment 43522 colourmixing5.jpg]

The g-code files and EEPROM settings available at [deltaprinter.co.za]]]> Xabbax General Tue, 11 Nov 2014 10:40:52 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428820#msg-428820 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428820#msg-428820 botfeeder General Thu, 06 Nov 2014 13:03:48 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428176#msg-428176 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428176#msg-428176 garyhlucas General Tue, 04 Nov 2014 18:08:09 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428162#msg-428162 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428162#msg-428162
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Paul Wanamaker
Ulkan,
I've used Autocrete- Hi-Temp Ceramic Adhesive when building my hot-end.
It worked very well.

I really like the tri-color hot-end. Great Job!
I am planning one for Raptosaur, and water cooling may work best.

Great stuff, but I got Firegum from Holts which is cheaper and works a bit differently I think. It sets from the heat and form a very hard material.

About the toothpaste effect, I think this has to to with the size of the melt-chamber. Keep it down to a minimum and you might not achieve high-speed extrusion, but also won't have the toothpaste effect as much.]]> Ohmarinus General Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:35:14 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428159#msg-428159 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428159#msg-428159 I've used Autocrete- Hi-Temp Ceramic Adhesive when building my hot-end.
It worked very well.

I really like the tri-color hot-end. Great Job!
I am planning one for Raptosaur, and water cooling may work best.]]> Paul Wanamaker General Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:19:22 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428061#msg-428061 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428061#msg-428061
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Xabbax
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UkIan
Question for you: What is the clay like material you put around the hot bits? I've been looking for something like that and haven't found anything that likes hot temperatuers.
Can you direct me to a picture where you see the material.

My mistake, it looks like it is actually where you have primed and then painted it. Had a sort of terracotta colour, so jumped to conclusions :/]]> UkIan General Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:18:54 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428035#msg-428035 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428035#msg-428035
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ekaggrat
do the filaments mix properly or do you get a toothpaste effect like richard's 3 way extruder ?

With the naked eye I cannot see any toothpaste effect in the .35 mm layers - I am using a .65 mm nozzle. So yes, the colours are mixing properly. ( in the limited number of prints so far)]]> Xabbax General Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:41:53 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428032#msg-428032 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428032#msg-428032
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UkIan
Question for you: What is the clay like material you put around the hot bits? I've been looking for something like that and haven't found anything that likes hot temperatuers.
Can you direct me to a picture where you see the material.]]> Xabbax General Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:23:29 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428029#msg-428029 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428029#msg-428029 ekaggrat General Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:17:02 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428025#msg-428025 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428025#msg-428025 UkIan General Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:03:51 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428018#msg-428018 Re: Colour mixing now a reality https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,427640,428018#msg-428018
It reminds me of what the [www.fabbster.com] Fabbster printer does in terms of looks.

But it works with one hotend, one filament supply and you can only switch filaments per inserted piece. So with your solution you kind of have complete control :)
A friend of mine has this printer and it's not the best thing, but the multicolor play is nice, though kind of random.

See it here:
[youtu.be]]]> Ohmarinus General Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:30:34 -0500