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Purging volumes (MMU)

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MMU1
MMU2S
MMU3
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During a filament change, a small amount of melted plastic remains in the nozzle. As the new filament is loaded, it’s melted as well and starts pushing the nozzle content out. During this time, you’ll see a gradual change in the color of the extruded filament.

In order to ensure a sharp color transition, PrusaSlicer provides several ways to deposit this filament:

The sheep on the right has the white color contaminated by the blue pigment from the previous filament

Purging volumes 

Two modes are possible to set the purging volumes. Use values from configuration, or use custom project-specific settings

Use values from configuration

The volume to purge is set by changing the Purging Volume in Printer Settings -> Single extruder MM setup. This value can be further modified on the filament level using Purge Volume Multiplier in Filament Settings -> Advanced. The values cannot be modified in the purging volumes matrix. 

Use custom project-specific settings

Clicking on the purging volumes settings opens a new window that contains a matrix. Each cell represents the amount of filament required to purge during filament change from filament X (left column) to filament Y (top row).

By selecting use custom project-specific settings, you can set each matrix cell individually. The values from the configuration are not used in this mode. 

Example values

 unloadload
Black8030
White2070

Transition Black to White = Black unload + White load = 80 + 70 = 150 mm³

Transition White to Black = White unload + Black load = 20 + 30 = 50 mm³

Transitioning from black to white requires more purging volume than transitioning from white to black, due to a higher color contamination from a darker to a lighter color

When using a soluble filament to print supports, or filaments with additives (highly glossy, glitter, etc.), increased purging volumes are most likely needed, compared to the standard example values. 

 

8 comments

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BillB
where is Black in your example picture ???  I'm still confused... The example numbers are all the same...
so  Maybe #4 @140 to #5 since it it lighter under the #5 column to 160 ????
Elle Skye
It seems "simple mode" no longer exists in prusa slicer.
David B.

Hi! It might be called a "beginner mode" instead in 2.8.x Alpha.

DadOf6
Hi Prusa team!
Are you going to update this article for the changes to purge volumes for 2.7.x and higher?
EddieTee
I think the "Clicking on the purging volumes settings opens a new window" button doesn't exist from 2.7 on? Can't seem to find it anywhere. SOLUTION: the button under the filaments in the "Plater" tab.
mressler
Thank you for this comment! This option also does not show up in the settings search bar - Prusa team, please update this article!
paolopix
If I have a printer with 2 extruders and I don't flag the multi material item, the purging volume button on the right does not appear. how can I increase this value?
Dutchwoody
Unfortunatly the purge volumes can´t be stored in the filament settings. When you start a new project, they also go to the default values. I always have black and white in my setup, black need a 4x purge volume after usage compared to white.