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Dual Extrusion Printing vs Single Extrusion Printing - Which One is Best?

January 25, 2022

Dual Extrusion Printing vs Single Extrusion Printing - Which One is Best?

3D printing has transformed the way people manufacture items. With this invention, it is possible to make things that were once impossible to produce using conventional manufacturing methods. Two types of 3D printing techniques are in use today, namely Dual Extrusion Printing and Single Extrusion Printing. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but which one is best? Let’s compare Dual Extrusion Printing vs Single Extrusion Printing.

Single Extrusion Printing

Single extrusion printing is the most common type of 3D printing used today. This method uses one nozzle to print one color or material at a time. The process is straightforward, quick, and far less complicated than dual extrusion printing.

Single extrusion printing materials are less expensive than dual extrusion printing. They have faster print times, and user-friendly. Filament changes and maintenance are simple and straightforward when only one nozzle is in use.

Single Extrusion Printing Pros:

  • Simple and easy to use
  • Lower upfront cost
  • Faster print time
  • Lower maintenance cost
  • Nozzle only requires cleaning and no alignment

Single Extrusion Printing Cons:

  • Limited to using only one filament,color or material
  • Not ideal for highly intricate designs or multi-colored prints

Dual Extrusion Printing

Dual extrusion printing is the process of printing with two nozzles that can handle two colors or materials simultaneously. This technique produces a higher quality and more intricate result, with markings and details that single extrusion printers are incapable of achieving.

Dual extrusion printing is ideal for bicolor models and designs that require a precise level of detail. This type of printing is the best option for objects that require support structures, as dissolvable support filament can be used with ease.

Dual Extrusion Printing Pros:

  • Can print with two colors or materials in one job.
  • Offers the best level of print accuracy and intricate design
  • Ideal for complex geometric and free-form designs
  • Allows for dissolvable supports

Dual Extrusion Printing Cons:

  • Higher upfront cost
  • Higher maintenance cost
  • Slower print times
  • Requires occasional nozzle alignment

Final Thoughts

Selecting between dual-extrusion printing and single extrusion printing will be based on the requirement of the final product. If you need a simpler model and want a straightforward, quick, and less-complicated 3D print, single extrusion printing is the better choice. However, if printing bicolor models, highly intricate or geodesic structures, and more advanced structures like those that require support structures, dual extrusion printing would be the better choice.

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