Question.  Ive been searching and searching for a solution but can not seem to

3D Printing
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Question. Ive been searching and searching for a solution but can not seem to discover how i might integrate this new direct drive nema17 extruder with my existing nema14 geared extruder to create my dual extusion system. everything works except that i can not calibrate the second extruder independently of the primary extruder settings in Marlin.

I know about changing the extrusion multiplier in Slic3r as a means of accomplishing this but i would rather dial it in properly in the firmware. I use pronterface to print with. any insight is highly appreciated because the only other thing i can think of is to redesign the y-axis to accept the nema 17 stepper and use its stepper as an extruder, so they match, but then i still have to acquire another feed gear. alternaitve to that, i could buy another nema 17 and feeder gear but i still hold a glimmer of hope that there is a firmware/software solution since everything i have works righ t now.

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Marlin simply does not support different e-step rates for different extruders. They must be identical. I’m not sure of any firmware that supports a setup like this.

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Repetier does

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While the electronics might not give you that chance. You could modify the gearing… Carefully measure, test, log, the study the math… Iterate till you get it nailed down just right.

Me… I think I would just buy two matching motors :slight_smile:

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Pretty sure smoothieware does differential step rates for extruders, but that is even more a silly idea then buying matching steppers, as that would involve buying a new controller board and recalibrating everything.

Easiest to just get a matching stepper and feeder gear, I’d think.

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thanks for the insights. i went ahead and ordered another stepper and gear. i will reinvent the wheel another day :wink: cheers!

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there is nothing simpler that setting up repetier it’s stable and offers all the perks you’d want from a printer firmware