Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!  

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

@charles-h13

So did I.

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

The new Trinamic 2209 drivers are capable of 1.7A RMS MAX output, the existing TMC 2130 divers are 1.2A RMS MAX output.

The existing Z motors were run in parallel anyway, so a splitter will work with the new board just as well and leads to a more compact board if both connectors are not fitted.

The new 2209 drivers have lower output impedance so will run cooler, but also lack dcStep so may be more susceptible to losing position if increased resistance is encountered to movement.

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

@chocki

Interesting.  I will be curious how they overcome this.  

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

@pixel

EINSY Rambo does have four motor drivers https://ultimachine.com/products/einsy-rambo-1-1  . Z-axis motors are connected in parallel. So MK3S and MINI could use similar control boards.

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

Posted by: @misan

@pixel

EINSY Rambo does have four motor drivers https://ultimachine.com/products/einsy-rambo-1-1  . Z-axis motors are connected in parallel. So MK3S and MINI could use similar control boards.

Thanks for the clarification.  

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

I wonder if they will make a more DIY kit form for very advanced users once production is ramped up. If that hits the 250 pricepoint... I don't know what I'd do but it'd be tempting as hell...

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

@vintagepc

Concur with that, but happy with 350.   I suspect it will not make it to 250 - maybe 275 or 280.  

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

Posted by: @charles-h13

@vintagepc

Concur with that, but happy with 350.   I suspect it will not make it to 250 - maybe 275 or 280.  

Oh, I agree the current price isn't bad, it'd just be even more tempting of an impulse buy 😛 I don't really need a second printer right now but I've considered that something smaller might be nice for tiny prints to avoid firing up the workhorse.

Of course, we all know how that's gonna go... broken 10 cent part on the Mk3 as an excuse to spend 350 and have a printer to print replacements XD

It feels like there's a sub-250 market they would probably do very well to break into, but you are probably right, judging by Mk3S kit vs assembled being 25% off, the mini would be around 260. But until we can get our hand on them or see a teardown it's hard to judge how labour intensive assembly is in order to determine what fraction of the cost it represents. 

I'm guessing a bit easier than the Mk3 in some areas (core frame, no extrusions to level/deskew) but a bit more challenging in others (cantilever rod alignment). 

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

I could see an option for second printer or farm, where you order just non-printable parts and print plastic components on printer you already have. This could lower purchase price as well as shipping costs.

I am just not quite sure whether one of the reasons they sell complete XZ part is the need for perfect geometry - like perfectly parallel rods perpendicular to Z axis etc. Hence building and calibrating it in factory. The reason against is that it’s still open source and according to blog post they are eagerly waiting what community comes up with.

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

I expect Prusa won't be able to keep up with demand at $350. No need to race to the bottom cost-wise. Keep profitable based on quality and continue to offer outstanding support. Cut profits to the bone and that's harder to do. 

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

@bobstro

You are probably right but if the quality is right, it will take a bite out of creality.  

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

Posted by: @charles-h13

You are probably right but if the quality is right, it will take a bite out of creality.  

I think Prusa's Mini will be very attractive to anybody looking at the Creality/Sovol "Pro" options that is not buying primarily on cost, but want to stay below $500. Read any of the Reddit support groups for those printers and they're full of "what mandatory day-1 upgrades are required?" posts. People are buying those printers at $200-300 expecting to have to do a lot of work just to get the thing to operate reliably. I think Prusa's entry is going to set the bar a lot higher for initial quality. It's really refreshing to see a non-Chinese company raise the bar at an affordable cost.

I really expect this release will be the nail in the coffin for MakerForge, Qidi and that whole class of legacy designs that are semi-enclosed with only 140x140 build space that have managed to hold on this long charging $400-650 with the promise of "out of the box quality". Presumably people have been willing to pay that kind of premium for a good "beginner" experience. Prusa's Mini cuts them off solidly at the knees.

I'm looking forward to getting some info on the hotend capabilities. Speeds are one concern I have. Perhaps Prusa has finally done Bowden right, using the lighter hotend and extruder to finally allow higher speed movement without ringing? Most of the low-end printers seem to use it mostly as cost-saving measure, providing piss-poor speeds and throughput.

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

https://blog.prusaprinters.org/original-prusa-mini-is-here-smart-and-compact-3d-printer/?utm_source=Prusa3D.com&utm_campaign=f429463633-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_10_13_11_43&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4199f6d18b-f429463633-123491593

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

Which was my point.  The Prusa XL or Core XY is not going to replace the MK3S.  Per the blog article: “possible that some of the best features of both new printers will find their way to the good ol’ MK3 in a form of an affordable upgrade.”.  But neither the mini nor the core XY will replace the MK3S.  

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

What is the idea for the filament roll? Is there any holder?

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

Posted by: @patrick-s49

What is the idea for the filament roll? Is there any holder?

I believe it will come with a table top spool holder.

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

Posted by: @patrick-s49

What is the idea for the filament roll? Is there any holder?

The two printers they had at ERRF were using a table top spool holder as @jorge-f7 says.

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

The images and videos all show a tabletop spool roller.  

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

Posted by: @charles-h13

The images and videos all show a tabletop spool roller.  

Yes they do but I don't think one was listed on the pre-order confirmation emails.

It doesn't mean its not included, it just doesn't say it is included.

RE: Announcing the Original Prusa MINI - a smart & compact 3D printing workhorse!

A video of interview with Mr. Prusa from 3DMN:

There are some more close-up shots, among other things.