MK4S: Removable fan mod?  

RE: MK4S: Removable fan mod?

The difficultly wouldn't be removing the fan, its the cable that it's attached to that goes up the left side channel to the extruder board, which doesn't have a huge amount of slack.

While I agree that the front fan is annoying (I just like to have easy viewing of the actual nozzle when printing), I don't really see any other reason to move the shroud very often since Prusa provided a nozzle replacement tool......

https://www.printables.com/model/980297-mk4s-nozzle-replacement-tool

RE: MK4S: Removable fan mod?

That's correct, thank you. From my experience with the MK4, the primary reason to access the nozzle is to check if it’s dirty and clean it with a brush when needed. However, this has become more difficult with the MK4S since my printer is in the Prusa Enclosure, making it harder to see if the nozzle requires cleaning. While I've already printed the nozzle replacement tool, I don't change nozzles often and mostly stick to the 0.4 mm nozzle, as I don’t have any other HF nozzles.

My main goal is to improve convenience by having quicker and more visible access to the nozzle, that's it. That being said, you're right that the cable is the main problem and I don't mind leaving it as is for now.

RE: MK4S: Removable fan mod?

Posted by: @samuel-t

... the primary reason to access the nozzle is to check if it’s dirty and clean it with a brush when needed. However, this has become more difficult with the MK4S since my printer is in the Prusa Enclosure, making it harder to see if the nozzle requires cleaning.

For your situation, it might be a good solution to get an inexpensive inspection mirror. That way you can inspect more angles of the nozzle without having to remove the printer from the enclosure.

Come to think of it, I think I might need to get one, myself.

RE: MK4S: Removable fan mod?

This is actually a great idea! 😅 After cleaning the nozzle, I usually placed my phone on the heatbed with the camera facing the nozzle, took a picture and checked if it’s properly clean. But with girls in the household, I’ll just borrow a small makeup mirror from time to time now.

That said, I’m still not sure why Prusa took a step backwards here.

RE:

Engineering is all about balancing compromises. In this case it seems they compromised being able to easily view the nozzle in order to get better airflow at the nozzle.

RE: MK4S: Removable fan mod?

But it's also about exploring the solution space to find one that optimizes your design objectives. I can't help but look at the current solution as one rushed out of the door in response to perceived market pressures. 

RE:

I'm currently considering getting the mk4->mk4s upgrade and this is the only thing complicating the decision... I love how in the mk4 we can just "move the fan to the side" to have better access to the nozzle and also how it is normally located, not blocking the view...

Aside from the factor mentioned here, that the fan cable lacks slack (which is not a factor for prusa themselves) I don't see a reason not to use the same hinge system to get the fan to the side when changing nozzles...

And it can't be a matter of weight, because they made it a point to encase the whole fan in a case that I see no point in..

RE: MK4S: Removable fan mod?

Posted by: @samuel-t

Hi everyone,

I did the MK4S upgrade two days ago and have done a few prints since. The quality and speed are both excellent. The only downside I've noticed is that accessing the hotend isn't as easy as it was with the MK4. Is there already a mod that makes it easier to remove and re-add the new fan and it's cover? I haven't been able to find anything on printables.com yet.

That's why I reinstalled the MK4 fan.

RE: MK4S: Removable fan mod?

Now if only there was an easier way to remove the silicone sock as well.......!

RE: MK4S: Removable fan mod?

You might want to look at this:

https://www.printables.com/model/1032797-nextruder-silicone-sock-puller-for-mk4s-and-mk39s