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Pico MMU 4 Lane
A 4-lane multi-material unit powered by the Raspberry Pi Pico, enabling affordable multi-color printing with a clean, compact design.
Overview
The Pico MMU 4 Lane is a Raspberry Pi Pico-powered multi-material unit supporting 4 filament lanes. Built as an evolution of the 3-lane version, this design adds an extra lane while maintaining the compact form factor and reliable operation.
Specifications
- Lanes: 4 independent filament paths
- Controller: Raspberry Pi Pico
- Filament Sensors: Per-lane optical sensors
- Compatibility: Works with most common 3D printers
What I Learned
Scaling from 3 to 4 lanes introduced new challenges with filament path routing and timing. The firmware had to be reworked to handle the additional lane without slowing down tool changes.
Results
The 4-lane version proved to be reliable and capable, making multi-color prints accessible without expensive commercial solutions.