Prusa Mini and complex geometries
Hello,
I had a look at the Prusa Mini, that seems a great printer for me, that I am starting to 3D print.
I have a a problem though, I am planning to 3D print complex geometries and I think I shall need the water solvable filament.
And that makes 2 filaments and the Mini is not compatible with the add on for multimaterial.
I don't need 5 materials, 2 materials suffice for me.
Unfortunately, I cannot afford the Mk3S.
Is there a solution for this problem?
Thank you.
Regards
RE: Prusa Mini and complex geometries
As a MK3 user on previous job and a private Anet, Geeetech and Prusa MINI user I would recomend saving some more money and getting MK3S+MMU for that purposes. If you dont need multi material I recommend MINI or MK3S.
BUT I also own a Geeetech A10m (two extruders), which I got on black friday (new) for 210€. It is a great printer if you make some minor upgrades (some new printed parts and bed leveling sensor - everything is prepared for it). But again, it is a lot more time consuming, doesn't have magnetic build plate (removing prints can be a pain in the a**) and prints are not as good as on Prusa. Also, tech support is superior with Prusa. And also, there is some minor problems with two extruders and one nozzle in CURA, sometimes you have to manually edit temperatures in G code.
So, if you need a printer right now for that needs and you have some knowledge of 3D printing and are a technical type, go for Geetech A10m for now. If you can wait and save some more money, definitely go for Prusa.
RE: Prusa Mini and complex geometries
@timotejm
Thank you for your reply.
RE: Prusa Mini and complex geometries
There is another problem, I got my Geeetech from Germany, now you can only get it from China (or can't get it because of the virus). Prusa still shipps.
RE: Prusa Mini and complex geometries
There also is the possibility of buying the mini, and then purchasing a Mosaic Palette as well. (They sell re certified/ refurbished models) for cheaper, as well as you can check eBay for any older models. (I do get that the Palette is relatively expensive)
Nice thing about buying a Palette instead of the MMU2 is that the Palette is compatible with most printers if you choose to switch printers one day, while the MMU2 is only compatible with the MK3s line. (without extensive mods) I also heard that the MMU2 is very labour intensive on maintenance compared to the Palette so maybe that's worth checking out as well.
RE: Prusa Mini and complex geometries
I would also recommend the palette. But if you say budget is an issue i don't see how you can have such a setup. Maybe palette and a cheaper printer.
Original Prusa Mini + Smooth PEI
Prusa Slicer 2.6.0
RE: Prusa Mini and complex geometries
I don't know about printing PVA to be honest, from watching forums and FB people had various degrees of success with it on Prusa printers with multi-material add-ons and they are more on the "nope, does not work" side. OTOH Palette 2's printing PETG as support for easier removal looks like better approach at this moment. HIPS may also work instead of PVA, it dissolves in different solvent though. Or any printer with 2 hotends instead of one - which are usually completely different price categories, like Ultimaker 3.
RE: Prusa Mini and complex geometries
You should also take in account that water solvable Filament is stupidly expensive.