Print Settings & Brand Guide

Amalgam Print Settings

Recommended settings for printing Amalgam parts. These are suggestions — the parts work in any color and without texture. But following the brand palette gives your build a distinctive, intentional look.

The Palette

Amalgam uses a three-color system from cheap, universally available filaments:

Role Color Hex Used For
Body Dark Grey

#4A4A4A

 All printed parts
Accent White

#FFFFFF

 Logo pads (filament swap)
Base Near-Black

#1A1A1A

 MDF base (painted), aluminum extrusions

Visual hierarchy: Black base and frame → Dark grey printed parts with white logos → Silver hardware (bolts, rods, bearings).

Why These Colors?

  • Grey is the tractor color. Cast iron, concrete, industrial machinery — all grey. It’s the one color no other printer project owns.
  • White logos pop against dark grey without being flashy. Same contrast as the website and logo.
  • Black base disappears, letting the grey structural parts stand out.
  • All three filament colors are the cheapest available. No specialty colors needed.

Logo Pads

Note

Logo pads are currently true in your config. Pad size: 18mm, raised 0.5mm.

Each structural part has a small raised pad with the Amalgam octagon+A mark. The pad is 0.5mm above the surface — just 2-3 print layers at standard settings.

Single-Swap Color Change

No multi-material unit (MMU) required. Just one filament swap:

  1. Slice the part in your grey filament as normal.
  2. Add a pause at the logo pad layer height (the layer where the raised pad starts).
  3. Swap to white filament when the printer pauses.
  4. Resume printing. The logo pad prints in white.
  5. Swap back to grey after the pad completes (2-3 layers later), or leave white for the remaining top layers if the logo is the highest feature.

Slicer-Specific Instructions

PrusaSlicer / OrcaSlicer:

  1. Slice the part and open the layer preview.
  2. Find the layer where the logo pad starts (look for the small octagon appearing).
  3. Right-click the layer slider → “Add custom G-code” → type M600 (filament change).
  4. Optionally add another M600 2-3 layers later to swap back.

Cura:

  1. Install the “Filament Change” post-processing script (Extensions → Post Processing → Modify G-Code).
  2. Set the layer number where the logo pad begins.
  3. The printer will pause for filament change at that layer.

Bambu Studio:

  1. Right-click on the layer bar at the logo pad layer.
  2. Select “Add filament change.”

Disabling Logo Pads

Set LOGO_PAD_ENABLED = False in cad/config.py to generate parts without logo pads. The parts are structurally identical either way.

Fuzzy Skin (Texture)

TipThe “Cast Iron” Look

Fuzzy skin on cosmetic surfaces gives printed parts an industrial textured finish that:

  • Hides layer lines (forgiving on a scavenger-built printer)
  • Adds grip (textured corners hold rods better during assembly)
  • Looks intentional (distinguishes from generic smooth prints)

Where to Apply

  • Yes: Outer faces of corners, visible bracket surfaces, cosmetic covers.
  • No: Rod channels, bolt holes, bearing seats, any surface that mates with hardware.

Most slicers let you enable fuzzy skin per-model or paint it onto specific surfaces. Apply it only to the “show” faces.

Slicer Settings

PrusaSlicer / OrcaSlicer: Print Settings → Others → Fuzzy Skin → Type: “Outside Walls”

Cura: Search “Fuzzy Skin” in settings → Enable → Fuzzy Skin Outside Only

MDF Base

Paint the MDF base matte black before assembly:

  1. Sand the MDF lightly (220 grit).
  2. Apply a coat of PVA wood sealer (prevents MDF from absorbing too much paint).
  3. Apply 2 coats of matte black spray paint or roller paint.
  4. Allow to dry fully before mounting hardware.

The black base visually recedes, making the grey structural parts the focal point. It also seals the MDF against moisture.

Filament Recommendations

Any brand works. These are common, cheap options:

Color Examples
Dark Grey eSun PLA+ Dark Grey, Hatchbox Dark Grey, Polymaker PolyLite Grey
White Any white PLA/PLA+ (you only need a small amount for logo swaps)

PLA+ is recommended for structural parts (better layer adhesion and impact resistance than standard PLA). PETG is also fine if you prefer it.