Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
There is a huge array of things in this world now that contain 'diagnostics', even more that can be observed and operated remotely, even cars.
I can control the lights in my house, the TV and other things from my phone, I can look through the cameras on our CCTV and all from the smartphone / tablet or hey even a PC, for cars these days you can't diagnose without some sort of external diagnostic tool. You really think that huge and complex industrial CNC machines don't have a network connection or computer interface.
So adding some other device isn't clever ... guess you don't have a PC or Tablet or Smartphone ... and yet have a 3D printer - that's impressive.
It's my wish - whether you deem it clever or not, whether you don't like the idea or not is up to you, it's a wish list not a criticism list.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
It's my wish - whether you deem it clever or not, whether you don't like the idea or not is up to you, it's a wish list not a criticism list.
😆 Don't take it so personally dude. It is a wish list and also an informal poll as well. You have expressed your view and I have expressed mine.
Peace out.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
No worries ... I'm a 1st class grump in a morning ... 😀
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
How much of both worlds (concerning on-board versus touch/remote GUI) could be satisfied using the on-board RPi as a co-processor rather than focusing it on Octoprint? I think the RPi Zero has sufficient horsepower to drive a slow-moving touch display without issues. It can initiate prints etc. Touch interface could be the user's device (phone, tablet, computer) connecting to web server on the RPi. Meanwhile, existing rotary knob interface remains. The ability to interface to the printer using Linux directly would be very powerful:
I keep hoping the RPi foundation will release a more powerful Zero to allow it to simultaneously handle the video portion.
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
I think some sort of 'slave' or board change is needed as the current platform is right at the limits - 98% of code memory is used.
I'd love to do more video 'on board', Octopi is OK but it is limited to one camera, I'd specifically like a small camera that can watch the nozzle only and alert to any excessive build up before a blob breaks off and destroys a print I did explore this and to some extent it is possible using a full blown Pi but you can only see one side of the nozzle.
I think even a nice pretty touch screen will require a board of its own - i.e. it won't be dumb any more so it will simply access and present information that exists already. Not saying a touch screen wouldn't be nice but I think that they could make it an 'optional' item so you could have 'standard', 'enhanced' or none at all ... I'd be quite happy accessing via my PC or iPpad only. I actually have the LCD detached and on the desk next to me but I mostly use the Simplify3D interface.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
Detachable hotends would be awesome, it'd be great to be able to have optimised hotends for certain filaments/applications rather than one generalist printhead, or even just to keep maintenance simple and prevent wear and tear.
I'd really like a geared solution for filament handling to prevent heat transfer from the stepper motor to the filament, and some way to get more reliable setup rather than "tighten this screw/nut, but not too much" type instructions.
32 bit controller is a must at this point, I'm impressed with what they've managed to get out of a 8bit controller, but it's time now to move to something more modern.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
I agree - all the "spring tension" screws should have captive springs so you don't lose them, and a solid back on the receiver so the screws can't be over-tightened.
If someone NEEDS more tension than stock (RARELY the problem) they can add washers or use a shorter screw. For that matter, something like https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3152199
As to the display - I'm a little take it or leave it. It's not the display itself, but what options (VERY highlighted by the MMU) are available on it.
Lastly, being able to command/interact with the printer over a serial port MIGHT help there.
Still, integrating a Pi seems like a reasonable request. I wouldn't MIND a touchscreen, not at all.
I maintain an informal list of San Diego, CA 3D printing enthusiasts. PM me for details. If you include a contact email and I can add you to the informal mailing list.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
Detachable hotends would be awesome, it'd be great to be able to have optimised hotends for certain filaments/applications rather than one generalist printhead, or even just to keep maintenance simple and prevent wear and tear.
I'd really like a geared solution for filament handling to prevent heat transfer from the stepper motor to the filament, and some way to get more reliable setup rather than "tighten this screw/nut, but not too much" type instructions.
32 bit controller is a must at this point, I'm impressed with what they've managed to get out of a 8bit controller, but it's time now to move to something more modern.
A strong yes to all of these for a future MK4
and a large wish for some way to get more reliable setup rather than "tighten this screw/nut, but not too much" type instructions. to be fast tracked as an upgrade perhaps for a MK3S. Adjusting those 2 spring screws for the extruder so it neither slips nor sticks and grinds a hollow in the filament .... well it would be a godsend... almost every print failure I have had since settling the first layer Z adjustment has been due to these features of extruders in general... A fail safe way of setting this adjustment would be a godsend... I know high end industrial filament deposition printers depend on things like monitoring extrusion rates against filament feed volumes so that a nozzle blockage can be overcome automatically perhaps a simplified approach along those lines might be investigated.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
We won't do enclosure, as noone would buy it. It would be much more expensive than the IKEA LACK thing. We developed one but with reasonable BOM and margin it would be $250+ 😯
Graphic LCD and better MCU sounds reasonable. But we will never get rid of control encoder and buttons. Small touchscreens are clumsy 🙂
I've mentioned it elsewhere - but without a confirmation step, the current knob set up makes it too easy to accidentally change the selection AS you press the button, unbeknownst to you.
I have returned to find the entirely wrong object sitting on the printbed many hours later - as well as coming in to see PLA cooking at 260 degrees.
I maintain an informal list of San Diego, CA 3D printing enthusiasts. PM me for details. If you include a contact email and I can add you to the informal mailing list.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
No worries ... I'm a 1st class grump in a morning ... 😀
You've met my wife then.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
I keep hoping the RPi foundation will release a more powerful Zero to allow it to simultaneously handle the video portion.
Don't hold your breath. I have a few zero's (not W) running cams and doing basic video processing as well. They just manage it. I think the wifi version requires a fair bit of additional head room.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
I'm hoping for something like the OrangePi or NanoPi with a multi-core CPU upgrade in the same form factor. I know it's not particularly likely, but it would be nice to be able to tuck something in the Prusa housing.
[...] Don't hold your breath. I have a few zero's (not W) running cams and doing basic video processing as well. They just manage it. I think the wifi version requires a fair bit of additional head room.
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
Indirect extruder pls.
Something like the skelestruder will increase torque and fine speed control as well as decreasing weight and adding height.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
Quick idea.. it could be interesting to look at an "inchworm drive" for the Extruder.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inchworm_motor
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
I keep hoping the RPi foundation will release a more powerful Zero to allow it to simultaneously handle the video portion.
Don't hold your breath. I have a few zero's (not W) running cams and doing basic video processing as well. They just manage it. I think the wifi version requires a fair bit of additional head room.
Hi.
Personally. Pi Zero is cool and all for many things, but it's primary "benefit" is small size and ease of access.
If you really need more performance. All you need is a SODIMM slot and an even smaller and stronger Pi
https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/compute-module-3/
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
I keep hoping the RPi foundation will release a more powerful Zero to allow it to simultaneously handle the video portion.
Don't hold your breath. I have a few zero's (not W) running cams and doing basic video processing as well. They just manage it. I think the wifi version requires a fair bit of additional head room.
Hi.
Personally. Pi Zero is cool and all for many things, but it's primary "benefit" is small size and ease of access.
If you really need more performance. All you need is a SODIMM slot and an even smaller and stronger Pi
https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/compute-module-3/
The problem with the compute module is no WiFi or Ethernet. Prusa would probably have to add a USB connector and the SODIMM so you could add a compute module AND give it a WiFi or Ethernet dongle. I would be totally down for that but it would create a support nightmare for Prusa.
When someone asks you if you're a god, you say, "YES!"
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
Automated perfect first layer, I know the Pinda is supposed to do this but a lot of us are putting in a lot of effort to get this across the entire print surface. I think this got a little worse going from mk2 to Mk3. Not sure why maybe not as flat or magnetic interference between build plate Pinda. But it would be awesome if just like a 2D printer a perfectly calibrated first layer even if you had to make some minor selection between maybe test print 1 and 2 test ... don’t know how to do it but it would be awesome.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
I would like to see a bigger build frame. maybe 300mm by 300mm like the CR10.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
Graphic LCD and better MCU sounds reasonable. But we will never get rid of control encoder and buttons. Small touchscreens are clumsy 🙂
Who says "small touchscreens"? 🙂
I'd want something like you will have on your new SL1!
In a perfect universe the two printer lines would converge at some point in the way their UI works.
Re: MK3S / MK4 Wishlist
been rethinking , id like to cancel my vote on touchscreen
what i would like to see
-* graphics matrix lcd. with same knob input. and loads of info being displayed (there is no such thing as info overload when you know what to look for at a glance)
-* detachable, or easier to service extruder for the ability to change out and service an assembly while still printing with a spare, or special rated setup for different materials or snap in dual extruder.
-* a revisit on that bond tech gear for better reliability with high speed torque changes. i have had several issues with the m3x2mm nut working its way out on the bondtech gear (and the replacement nut in the spare parts bag being poor quality) this month that i would love to have an option for external feeding at times.
- redundant mechanical switch for filament sensor (idea in modded section). or a part of the code with this as an &&/|| check to easily mod in without rebuilding firmware.
- power supply with USB out (min 2 to 3A for a raspberry pi3) and ATX type standby for powering off unit remotely via SW or piGPIO. (this may already exist, but im looking for the schematics for the PSU and haven't found it yet. )
-* something other than the rubber feet that dont stay on if moving unit more than 3mm
extension upgrade kit for higher prints (dont think i will ever go over 200 on my own prints, but some people tout that as why they get other printers)
- lets step up to a 32 bit ARM Cortex-M4 type proc at least, with min of 100Mhz clock. we dont need the computing power in the Ghz, lets leave that for external options like a Raspberry pi/beaglebone/lap-desktop.
- some firmware modifications for servicing overrides, like extruder gear rotation without heating up the hotend (made my gear fixes a pain in the bum when i just wanted to do fractional alignment steps to tighten the tiny extruder nut with no filament. ) and less menu hops for everything.
- make the extruder lighter somehow. yeah, dont know how this would work myself.
- delta?
for starters 😛
as i love my first 3d printer, this is a wishlist of improvements. if i want to, i can try this all by myself with everything i have learned or already know. but wont be doing it on a stock unit, it works, so i put it to work.
*=higher priority
and weâll be saying a big hello to all intelligent life forms everywhere ⦠and to everyone else out there, the secret is to bang the rocks together, guys.