Has PRUSA bit off more than they can chew with MK3, MMU2, Powder Coated bed and SL1?  

Re: Has PRUSA bit off more than they can chew with MK3, MMU2, Powder Coated bed and SL1?

Yes, I think they have, but probably not in the way you mean. Anybody trying to run an open source-based company in the face of aggressive clone manufacturing and race-to-the-bottom pricing is automatically biting off more than they can chew. To continue to innovate and grow their product lines while maintaining standards of quality and openness is madness. Waking up every day to so many people openly hoping they fail, I'd personally have a hard time continuing to give a damn. Add in expectations way above anything that was ever promised -- Prusa did not promise toaster-like simplicity -- and you wake up every morning facing a deluge constant whining and bitching no matter how hard you try.

The fundamental truth is that, for all JP's lofty open-source aspirations, he's still running a for-profit corporation. One that requires continual growth in new customers to continue operating. If we're not paying for annual support or continual software upgrades, they have to fund production, development and support somehow. That requires either growing the product line to attract new buyers, or moving to some sort of subscription plan. Without income, Prusa goes away.

I'm just glad JP is that particular sort of crazy.

Re: Has PRUSA bit off more than they can chew with MK3, MMU2, Powder Coated bed and SL1?

Yes, I think they have, but probably not in the way you mean. Anybody trying to run an open source-based company in the face of aggressive clone manufacturing and race-to-the-bottom pricing is automatically biting off more than they can chew. To continue to innovate and grow their product lines while maintaining standards of quality and openness is madness. Waking up every day to so many people openly hoping they fail, I'd personally have a hard time continuing to give a damn. Add in expectations way above anything that was ever promised -- Prusa did not promise toaster-like simplicity -- and you wake up every morning facing a deluge constant whining and bitching no matter how hard you try.

The fundamental truth is that, for all JP's lofty open-source aspirations, he's still running a for-profit corporation. One that requires continual growth in new customers to continue operating. If we're not paying for annual support or continual software upgrades, they have to fund production, development and support somehow. That requires either growing the product line to attract new buyers, or moving to some sort of subscription plan. Without income, Prusa goes away.

I'm just glad JP is that particular sort of crazy.

I agree with you nearly 100%, however I ordered early, Dec 2017, and have not received a voucher towards a powder coated sheet or a sheet. Nearly a year now. I have only one complaint and that is it. I agree with you though had they not released it I would not have a great printer at the moment. Thanks for thorough answer.

Re: Has PRUSA bit off more than they can chew with MK3, MMU2, Powder Coated bed and SL1?

bobstro

You are incorrect in your assumption of the way I mean. I for one do not wish PR to fail. There is nothing wrong with innovation and growth I like how PR has gathered many of the open sourced ideas and packaged them into one salable product. Part of that is maintaining standards and quality as well as pricing some just do it better than others. If you cannot maintain a certain standard your business will go to a competitor. All 3d printers sold fundamentally work I for one never expected toaster like simplicity its a 3d printer for gods sake. Yet certain hardware and firmware functions should work as designed there are still issues with the MK3 which may take a back seat due to the MMU. I own several 3d printers made by different manufactures all of their features perform as the manufacturer intended. Its one thing to hold back production of the powder coated sheets due to quality of the silk screened grid lines not sticking (get rid of the lines their not needed) verses the MMU which is sold as a quality working product. There is alot going on with the MMU you have hardware, firmware and software that all has to work in harmony the fact that the filament sensor is not being used as designed is a little concerning.

I am sure PR has put a lot of time into the MMU and hope they get things figured out before someone else comes out with a better toaster.

The Vouchers will be sent out when the powder coated spring steel sheets are in the store. As of 10/27/2018 the powder coated spring steel sheets will be delayed. Possible November

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Re: Has PRUSA bit off more than they can chew with MK3, MMU2, Powder Coated bed and SL1?

You are incorrect in your assumption of the way I mean.
Sorry, didn't mean to imply that was your wish, only that my interpretation of how they've bitten off more might be a different take. Not so much that they're trying to do too much as doomed by having tried at all.

Re: Has PRUSA bit off more than they can chew with MK3, MMU2, Powder Coated bed and SL1?

Interesting question.

First off, I doubt anyone here wishes anything but the greatest success for PR.

I think it will largely depend on how far the SL1 was in development before PR acquired the company. If it was almost ready to go (with a proper prototyping/testing regime almost completed) then all should be good. If PR has rushed it to market then there will be issues. Whether or not the SL1 is a big seller is a different question though. I don't know of many people who see this as a viable printing technology for the home consumer at the moment.

As for the rest, a pattern does seem to have developed regarding the under-testing of some of their products. In a rush to be first (or almost) with bringing new ideas and innovations to market PR has perhaps skimped a bit in this area. There is certainly some evidence to suggest this has occurred. It is of course always a trade-off though. Gone are the days when you could spend an extended period of time in the testing phase.

Re: Has PRUSA bit off more than they can chew with MK3, MMU2, Powder Coated bed and SL1?

I just wish they improved the quality of the electronic parts this is where I believe 99% of the problems are. It appears the PINDA, filament sensor and motors are not consistent in quality (the tolerances are not tight enough) . We see this when a FW is released and the FW needs to be dialed back or adjusted to make a compromise. The PINDA sensor each one acts differently. When using the automation in the software to calibrate you will find it is not remotely accurate. It appears this part of the MK3 functionality was scraped and the work around is each user has to manually calibrate first layers at 35,40,45,50,55 and 60c. The LDO motors / stepper motor driver tuning are another area where there can be improvement. This has been proven by replacing the extruder stepper motor with a moon motor (the moire pattern disappears).

My other concern is issues or function improvements may not be fixed or are broken in FW due to the lack of memory space in the Einsy Rambo after the merger of the MK2.5 into the MK3 code.