Hi! I am interested to get an 8 Color 3D Chameleon working. I appreciate that this MOD exist for allowing regular printers to have multi colour features.
I’d like to share that I am starting with using an Arduino UNO and CNC Shield v3. I have zero programming knowledge and i am reliant on ChatGPT, friends and community for help on firmware. I’m a 3D Artist doing my own model for my 3D printed parts for the Chameleon. So i apologise if some areas might sound dumb.
I am currently in the process of making a mount and enclosure for my AD5M Pro along with a custom 8 to 1 Y adapter. I can somehow manage the assembling steps but firmware wise, i am stuck on how i could expand the INO file from 4 filament choices to 8. I appreciate any help regarding this part of the process. I am stuck with this part.
I am in under the assumption that Filament 1-4 and Filament 5-8 are parallel to each other and extruder 1 or 2 is pushing out the filament even if Filament 1 and Filament 5 selection is engaged. I think this is a genius idea.
My goal for this post to see if anyone else has done the 8 colour chameleon.
Any available firmware, INO file, documentation or existing firmwares
Experience
Things to be wary of
Is there a much simpler way with the chameleon and achieving 8 colours without additional hardware. Im not too keen on 2 boards or switches.
I have attached some snippet of where i am heading towards. I hope to be able to print 8 colours on my AD5M. That will be the final goal.
In the image you see the selector connecting to the y adapter with the electronics.
Updated : 22/02/2025
This is the advantage and drawback to the CoPrint. It communicates with the printer via Klipper, so it does not depend on a switch making the correct contact timing. It does need Klipper and a way to integrate it into the printer software. They have made some wise decisions to work with specific companies to develop a turnkey system, Creality specificity.
I have been working with them to develop all of the pieces for the Rat Rig, as it is a natural fit to provide a large printer filament swapping, the last I heard Rat Rig has dropped their MMU system.
I have been watching this thread and until now not commented, but since Liam mentioned the CoPrint, I thought I would chime in. I have been working on the CoPrint install since last summer on my Rat Rig V-core 3. The hardware impresses me, the software has been my challenge. I have gotten it integrated into the Rat Rig Klipper enough to make some prints. Something they did was design a complete hardware solution. Each filament has a drive motor a good 8 input funnel and the hot end assembly has the extruder, hot end, motorized cutter and Z sensor. As was pointed out you do need to have the ability to modify the printer software. I have made a number of videos - here is one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvTexRVSc1Q&t=11s&ab_channel=DavidWilson
This is looking great! The only problem I have with this is that the Y adaper is MASSIVE. It would be more feasible to print 2 4-Y adapters and have them be mounted to the frame of the printer, and have 1 2-Y adapter go into the toolhead.
That doesn't look like you have the blade aligned correctly since it didn't cut all the way through. (Or the motor current is too low.) Bill