Multi Material

Multi-material and multi-color printing on the 22 IDEX V4 uses both toolheads (T0 and T1) to combine two materials or colors in a single print. This covers:

• Multi-color parts � the same base material (e.g., ABS) in two colors for visual contrast, labeling, or branding.
• Soluble supports � a water-soluble support material (e.g., PVA) that dissolves after printing, leaving clean surfaces on complex geometries.
• Breakaway supports � a support material that mechanically separates from the part without dissolving.
• Multi-material functional parts � combining different materials in one print (e.g., a rigid Nylon housing with self-lubricating IGUS i151 bearings printed directly into it).

This guide covers printer calibration, pre-print preparation, and slicer setup. Follow all steps in order before starting your first multi-material or multi-color print.

Tools and Materials

• Brush (recommended) � for nozzle cleaning during auto-calibration. Be careful not to short-circuit any wires on the toolhead when brushing.
• 2 mm Hex screwdriver (hex wrench) � for heatbreak set screw adjustment if needed during auto-calibration
• Two filament spools loaded into T0 and T1
• 0.4 mm nozzles on both toolheads (required for XY alignment tests)

Part 1: Printer Calibration and Pre-Print Preparation

Step 1 � Run Auto-Calibration

Run the Auto-Calibration procedure first. Auto-calibration establishes precise positional relationships between the two toolheads. Without it, the printer doesn't know exactly where each nozzle is relative to the bed and to the other nozzle. The procedure calibrates three things:

• Z-offset � the height of each nozzle relative to the bed, so the first layer prints at the correct distance from the surface.
• Tool height � the height difference between T0 and T1. Both nozzles must be at the same Z level within a tolerance of 50 microns. If the difference is larger, the machine will prompt you to adjust the heatbreak height.
• XY alignment � the horizontal offset between toolheads. The machine probes calibration cutouts in the build plate with each nozzle and calculates how far apart they are in X and Y.

Follow the full procedure: Auto-Calibration Procedure

Watch video � Auto-Calibration overview

If the player does not load, open the same link in YouTube.

Step 2 � Clean the Purge Buckets

Check the purge buckets on both sides of the printer. Remove any accumulated plastic waste. During multi-material printing, the printer purges filament into these buckets at every tool change. If a bucket is full, purged material can pile up and collide with the nozzle.

Step 3 � Verify XY Alignment with a Test Print

Auto-calibration measures XY alignment by mechanical probing, but actual extrusion can differ slightly from probe measurements. Print a test to confirm both toolheads are aligned in the XY plane.

You have two options depending on your materials:

Option A � Cylinder test (contrasting colors)

Print a two-color cylinder where each layer alternates between T0 and T1. If colors are evenly distributed from all viewing angles, alignment is correct. If one color dominates on one side, adjust the offset using the live macros in the web interface.

Option B � Line pattern test (non-contrasting materials)

If your materials are similar in color (e.g., natural Nylon + natural PEEK, or Ultem 1010 + HTS2 breakaway support material) or you don't want to swap filaments for a test, print a single-layer line pattern from both toolheads. Misalignment shows up as a visible step or offset between T0 and T1 line groups � regardless of color.

Test files:

• Option A: Download XY Alignment Test.gcode
• Option B: Download XY dual extruder - IDEX calibration.3mf

Full procedure and adjustment instructions for both methods: XY Alignment Calibration

Watch video � XY alignment

If the player does not load, open the same link in YouTube.

Step 4 � Large Format Alignment Test (3-Square Test)

After XY alignment is verified with the cylinder or line pattern test, run the 3-square test to confirm alignment accuracy across the full build area. This test prints three squares at different positions on the bed to verify that offset values are consistent across the entire print surface.

Full procedure: Bed Leveling Calibration

Watch video � 3-square / mesh workflow

If the player does not load, open the same link in YouTube.

If minor adjustments are needed after this test, fine-tune using the procedures in the XY Alignment Calibration article linked above.

Part 2: Slicer Setup

After calibration and alignment verification are complete, configure your slicer for dual-extruder printing.

Slicer Configuration

1. Open your slicer (e.g., PrusaSlicer, SuperSlicer, or OrcaSlicer) and select the 22 IDEX printer profile.

2. Assign materials to each extruder:
   • Extruder 1 (T0) � select the filament profile for the material loaded in the left toolhead.
   • Extruder 2 (T1) � select the filament profile for the material loaded in the right toolhead.

3. Import or create your model. For multi-color prints, assign colors/extruders to different parts or regions of the model.

4. For support material:
   • Set the support extruder to the toolhead loaded with support material (e.g., T1 with PVA or breakaway support).
   • Configure support settings (pattern, density, Z distance) according to your material's requirements.

5. Review the tool change settings:
   • Purge amount � amount of filament purged at each tool change. Start with the slicer default; increase if you see color contamination.
   • Retraction on tool change � ensure this is enabled to prevent oozing during tool swaps.

6. Slice the model and review the preview. Check that tool changes happen at the expected locations and that purge operations are configured correctly.

7. Send the sliced file to the printer via the web interface or save it to the SD card.

Tips for Slicer Setup

• Always use the latest printer profile for the 22 IDEX. Check for profile updates when updating firmware.
• For multi-color models, ensure the model parts are properly aligned in the slicer before assigning extruders.
• When using soluble supports, verify that the support material temperature settings match your filament datasheet.

Troubleshooting

• Issue: Colors visibly shifted on the multi-color print.
• Cause: XY alignment not verified after auto-calibration, or heatbreaks are bent.
• Solution: Run the XY alignment test (Step 3) and adjust offsets using the live macros. Inspect heatbreaks for bending.

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• Issue: First layer of one toolhead doesn't stick while the other prints fine.
• Cause: Z-offset between nozzles is incorrect.
• Solution: Re-run auto-calibration (Step 1) with both nozzles thoroughly cleaned. Check that heatbreaks are not protruding below the heatsinks.

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• Issue: Auto-calibration completes successfully but multi-color print is still misaligned.
• Cause: Auto-calibration measures offsets by mechanical probing, which may differ slightly from actual extrusion.
• Solution: Verify with the XY alignment test print (Step 3) and use the live adjustment macros to fine-tune.

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• Issue: Layers from the two toolheads are not bonding to each other.
• Cause: Incompatible material combination.
• Solution: Both materials must be chemically compatible and able to bond at the layer interface. Same-family combinations work best: ABS + ASA, PLA + PLA in two colors. ABS + PLA will not bond.

FAQ

Do I need to recalibrate every time I change materials?

No. Calibration offsets persist across prints. Recalibrate only after nozzle or hotend changes, after maintenance that affects the toolheads, or if you notice alignment issues.

Can I combine different material types?

Yes, but both materials must bond to each other at the layer interface. Same-family combinations work best (e.g., ABS + ASA, PLA + PLA). For functional multi-material parts (e.g., rigid + self-lubricating), check material compatibility guidelines or contact support.

Do I need 0.4 mm nozzles?

0.4 mm nozzles are required for both XY alignment tests (cylinder and line pattern) in Step 3. For the actual print after calibration, you can use any nozzle size.

How often should I clean the purge buckets?

Check them before every multi-material print. Complex prints with many tool changes generate more purge waste.

Support

If you could not find an answer here, reach out to our support team.