I finally got multi-color working on my Creality K1 Max using the 3D Chameleon.
Decided to make a 2 color benchy and scaled it down to 75% to save time, along with 0.25mm layer height.
So far the Chameleon has been pretty picky with filament, but when it works it works well! This print is with silk gold and matte black. I have even gotten 95A TPU to print with it surprisingly!
I modified the color-change code so it takes 1 minute less, which makes a big difference when you have hundreds of color changes.
Next up, 4 color benchy. Probably will be 10 hrs lol
1min30sec for every color change. Multiply that by hundreds of color changes and it adds up!
I am starting to see why people usually print whole plates full of multicolor prints. It's the same amount of color changes, but more way more efficient.
Yeah that is pretty cool how Bambu is dealing with it too, but not the same as having full root access to the Linux computer that runs the printer.
I can SSH into my K1 and change things, install programs, etc. I even changed my Start_Print sequence to stop doing all the time-consuming calibration for every print. Sometimes I am just prototyping and dont want 10 min of calibration for a 3 minute print.
They have community firmware now and the A1 is $550 bucks with AMS that has no printer poop for multi material. Not that it matters to me, I just grabbed a Qidi X Max 3 for the print volume (and because it was open-ish Klipper).
Oh good to know. I do think as a toy printer for your kids, the A1 mini looks great. And assuming you have kids, then you don't have time, making the premium price more attractive.
Lol I know people love to hate on Bambu, but mine came out of the box working pretty much perfectly and has been an absolutely incredible printer. Quality far better than anything else I have seen without a lot of extra work on a printer.
I was definitely suspicious, but now that they're partnering to create community firmwares, it feels like all that suspicion is unwarranted. I think people just couldn't believe a printer could work so well (and of course there's the xenophobia).
After seeing CNC kitchens interview with the CEO I was convinced they weren't trying to be evil. The guy seems incredibly genuine. I really suggest watching it, it is a really good interview and he asks plenty of hard questions that I wanted answers on.