System and method for on-demand colorization for extrusion-based additive construction

An extrusion-based 3D printer, for constructing objects out of a completely colored filament, the 3D printer comprising:

• a tank system having a plurality of puncture mechanisms, a plurality of of subchambers and a plurality of pumps, each pump being in fluid communication with one subchamber,
• wherein the number of subchambers and the number of pumps corresponds to the number of puncture mechanisms,
• wherein the plurality of subchambers are refillable,
• wherein each subchamber has an interior chamber equipped with a single opening, the opening being sealed by a penetrable membrane,
• wherein one of the plurality of subchambers is filled with a solvent,
• wherein at least one of the subchambers contains a dye within the interior chamber,
• wherein each solvent is capable of solubilizing each corresponding dye
• wherein each dye corresponds to one color in a color chart;
• a mixing chamber having an interior volume, a filament input, a filament output, and a waste outlet,
• wherein the mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the plurality of pumps,
• wherein the plurality of pumps are configured to independently pump fluid from the corresponding subchamber;
• a material dispenser configured to dispense uncolored filament to the filament input;
• a waste management system comprising a drain in fluid connection with a collection vessel, and a heater capable of heating the collection vessel to the boiling point of each solvent, the waste management system being in fluid communication with the waste outlet;
• and
• a print head having an extruder configured to receive filament through the filament output.