Support H2D with different nozzle sizes on the left and right

[AnalogKnight]

The H2D has been released for over 4 months. Initially, users were told that further uses for the dual nozzles were still under development, but so far, nothing has been updated. It seems the only benefit of the dual nozzles is reducing filament waste. Now that the H2S has been released, it's priced 30-40% lower than the H2D. If we used that money on filament, we could buy at least 50 spools—the flushing waste is negligible.

The benefits of using two nozzles of different sizes are obvious: we can use a 0.2mm nozzle to print exterior walls and a larger nozzle for infill. This can save a lot of time while still producing high-quality models.

Are there plans to add more functionality to the H2D's dual nozzles beyond simply saving filament?

[malventano]

You can still use wider line widths for inner walls. Applies more to 0.4>0.6 in terms of speed, but you can still easily do 0.4 width for infill on a 0.2, with the bonus that you don't even need to switch extruders.

More here: https://www.cnckitchen.com/blog/the-effect-of-extrusion-width-on-strength-and-quality-of-3d-prints

[AnalogKnight]

You can still use wider line widths for inner walls. Applies more to 0.4>0.6 in terms of speed, but you can still easily do 0.4 width for infill on a 0.2, with the bonus that you don't even need to switch extruders.

More here: https://www.cnckitchen.com/blog/the-effect-of-extrusion-width-on-strength-and-quality-of-3d-prints

Thanks for the info, but I don't think it solves the awkward situation with the H2D's dual nozzles. Yes, I can print 0.4mm with a 0.2mm nozzle. But I can also print 0.6mm or higher with a 0.4mm nozzle, and the same goes for a 0.6mm or 0.8mm nozzle. Allowing for different nozzle sizes is always a benefit.

[malventano]

Nothing awkward about it when you consider every other multi-extruder printer out there requires the same size nozzles to be properly sliced, and those other printers have existed for years, yet such support is experimental at best: https://help.prusa3d.com/article/experimental-printing-with-different-nozzle-diameters_821176

You can still install different nozzle sizes, set your profile accordingly (per the above guidance), and ignore (or disable) the incorrect nozzle warning at the printer. Point being it's still doable if you want to.

[AnalogKnight]

I believe the primary benefit of dual nozzles is the ability to use two different materials simultaneously, but AMS has eliminated this benefit. And the upcoming release of the Vortek makes the savings in flushing less apparent. So I think the H2D will be in a difficult position compared to the H2S+Vortek, especially considering its significantly higher price.

Anyway, I really appreciate the information you provided, and I'll definitely try it out if I have the time. However, I'd prefer this feature be officially supported.

[iamniels]

I agree with this issue. One application example is printing text with a 0.2mm nozzle on a larger object.

[abudden]

I agree with this issue. One application example is printing text with a 0.2mm nozzle on a larger object.

This would be my primary use for mixed nozzles. Small text on top of a large object is currently impractical as the small nozzle would take too long and the large nozzle can't print text in a fine-enough resolution.

For me, I'd be perfectly happy if it had to be layer-by-layer (i.e. any specific layer could only be printed with a single nozzle size but you could do the last couple of layers in a different nozzle size to the previous ones). This would allow big things to be printed and then small text to be written on top.

[rickybright]

This would also be huge for me. Being able to use .2 for "drawing" and .6 for "structure" would be amazing. Allowing for Nozzle swaps mid-print, even more so, but I get that those are two very different requests.

[tommie]

Being able to use 0.2mm for fine details like corner radius and vertical text would be useful when dealing with small mechanical parts. This only affects the skin, and having a higher flow rate for infill and inner walls would be nice.

(Another use-case for dual extrusion is using a cheap fillament for structure and an expensive one for the surface. Which combined with a 0.2mm skin would reduce costs further.)

[NeoGit123456]

I ran into the same limitation multiple times already. For me there are two main use cases for this feature:

1. More Details Having larger prints like signs with text on them, the sign itself can be printed with 0.8 and the text with 0.2. The text will be far more clear whilst not wasting hours of time when printing the sign body itself with 0.2, too.
2. Massive Infill Printing a 2kg filament model with a fine surface (0.4 for walls at 0.12 layers) whilst using a 0.8 with dynamic layer height for a 100% infill.

The combination of different nozzle sizes in one print really brings the strength of the H2D's dual nozzle approach into play.

Technically:
I assume that layer adhesian and the interconnection between the different line widths/heights might need some finetuning. However, as especially the infill feature already supports variable line widths and heights, different to the walls, this is already given.
When I print walls with a line width 0.4 and height 0.12 with a 0.4 nozzle, and infill with 0.6 line width and 0.36 line height with a 0.4 nozzle in the same print, why can't I use a 0.8 nozzle for the infill instead? Obiously the nozzle diameter does not matter, even not in the already implemented logic.

This feature will speed up many of my prints by numerous hours.
Same applies for customers with an H2C and likely many future printers from Bambulab.

I do highly appreciate an implementation.

[EdwardK9]

This is the main reason I got the H2D (I was aware it wouldn't work initially but hoped it would be added) in order to make highly detailed parts while not being extremely slow. I really would love this feature.
Even if it is limited to one size per layer, but working like painting would be the best I think.

[ab-tools]

Same here, was also one reason I got the H2D - really a pity that this important feature is still not supported...

[NoahB18]

I have an H2C and agree with the same principle. I'd like to make large or many objects quickly using a .6 nozzle and use a .2 nozzle for text within the model for better detail