Prusa Mini+ Noise?
I just got my Mini+ on Friday, and it's been consistently printing some very good prints. I do have two issues, though. I've had a consistent amount of stringing on all my prints. But the more pressing issue is the noise. I purchased the Mini in part because it was reported to be a very quiet machine, but we can easily hear this in the other room with doors closed. Maybe that's normal (I'm a bit new to 3D printing, so I'm not sure), but I thought I'd raise my hand and see if anyone had suggestions. A few other points:
- I'm using a roll of Prusament Galaxy Black PLA that was delivered two days ago. I do live in Tennessee, with an average humidity of 82% during the last few days, but I didn't think PLA would absorb that much moisture that quickly to cause so much stringing.
- I'm using the preset settings for Prusament PLA.
- The printer is sitting on a fairly heavy table.
- I've included a link to a video of the printer running here.
Any help would be terrific. Thank you!
RE:
I've had my Mini about 3 weeks now. When I started printing my first 3D Benchy I had the same questions. I made a video and send it to tech support. They said there was nothing unusual.
Over the weeks, I've learned a few things. I was comparing sound level to my Creality E3V2 and yes it is louder. However, I was ignoring that I had turned all print speeds down a lot to get reliable prints (40 mm/s or lower). The Mini runs stock at up to 80 mm/s. Also, the nature of the print influences sound level. Prints with lots of short moves are louder. There are times I can barely hear the Mini and other times it is rather loud; just depends on the print or what portion of the print is running (infill is typically rather loud).
I suggest sending your video to tech support and let them assess if there's anything unusual. I didn't observe anything, but I'm a newbie too...
As for stringing (particularly PLA), you might consider some sort of drying system. We average around 40% humidity here and I find PLA can be problematic if I don't dry it after ever print session.
RE: Prusa Mini+ Noise?
Take a look at some of the noise reducing feet, or stand the printer on a paving slab. Both make quite a difference to the sound levels. Even a sturdy table can often resonate with the printer increasing the perceived sound levels.
RE: Prusa Mini+ Noise?
I was like "loud? Shouldn't be, we watch TV or play video games with the printer on a table in the same room."
I watched your video. Doesn't seem excessively loud. Sounds exactly like mine, so I'd say yes, that's normal sound. I would say it's fairly quite. But I suppose everyone has their opinion as to what very quiet is.
I see it's right up next to a wall. The wall is probably reflecting sound. Try getting some sound absorbing material and put it on the wall behind the printer? You could try holding a think blanket over the wall to see if that helps. You could also look at building or buying a box for the printer, which will also be useful if you want to print filaments that need an enclosure in the future.
And as other people said, something heavy like a paving slab. A quick search shows this is a common suggestion, but I haven't tried it myself yet. I may in the future once I bring the printer up from the basement and put it in the room next to our bedroom though.
RE: Prusa Mini+ Noise?
The table that you set it on makes a HUGE difference in how loud it runs.
Set the mini on a basement floor or similar surface to get an idea of it's native sound level.
RE: Prusa Mini+ Noise?
Print the squash ball feet and use the soft balls, the one's with the two dots on it. Reduces the printer noise quite a bit, but an enclosure will also help.
RE: Prusa Mini+ Noise?
I have mine on a wooden desk, two feet from my head. It's on a paving stone that is itself on some foam. I have fallen asleep in this chair, with the printer going. It's not silent, no. But I will absolutely not notice when it's finished a print.