Load Cell Availability
I recently ordered some spare parts for my MK4 and the only way I could find the load cell was by buying a replacement heat sink. At $46.00 I decided to pass on it for now. But that begs the question if Prusa is going to sell replacements without having to buy the heat sink too. I didn't feel like sitting in the queue for hours when the time remaining starts at 7 minutes and does not use the same time as I do as it can get down to 1 minute and still take another 30 minutes (if you know what I mean).
RE: Load Cell Availability
The problem is the load cell works by monitoring the strain on the heatsink imparted by the nozzle, so needs to be attached to the sink correctly and as it needs to measure quite small loads I would presume that requires a high degree of accuracy which is unlikely to be achieved by a large proportion of users. That's why the load cell is covered in the white gunk.
You could argue that a better design would have separated the two functions into two parts, but that would have added complexity, cost and weight to the hot end just to make replacement of a part that should rarely need replacing possible.
RE: Load Cell Availability
I guess that makes sense after I viewed the load cell/heatsink installation in the assembly manual. I saw the white goop and realized exactly what you said. Thanks for clearing that up. I hope my heatsink/load cell lasts a long time. I assume there may be a way to still use the printer if it fails?? Otherwise down time could be an issue unless the parts become available in the US from PrintedSolid.
Thanks
RE: Load Cell Availability
If you are in the US, I heard from PrintedSolid (.com) that they would be carrying the heatsink+loadcell assembly by Fall of 2024. Not sure of their price, but if you live in the US, it might be a quicker way to get the replacement part. Will have to wait and see when and if they get the parts.
I just had to order a new heatsink/loadcell for my MK4 as it went bad after about 1 1/2 months of printing since my upgrade.
Eric Z.