Buddy board/firmware vs. standard board/firmware
Hi,
I just received a Prusa Mini+ printer.
I expected to find a 5.* firmware with the intent of upgrading to 6.0.0, but then I found out that the printer comes with a "Buddy" board, and a Buddy FW version 4.1.4.
Can someone explain to me what is the Buddy board/FW, and what it does different or better than the normal board/FW !?
Sorry if this is a FAQ, but a quick search on Google did not bring any answer, except for some people selling original or clone buddy boards...
Have a nice day
Best Answer by Neophyl:
Buddy is the name of the hardware/electronics board that controls the printer. Named after Joe's dog I believe. The Buddy series of boards was designed in house specifically for Prusa. It is a completely different platform (more modern and capable) than the old board fitted to the Mk3 series of printers.
There are at least 2, and possibly more types of Buddy board. The one fitted to the mini printers is the original type. The XL has a different one and I'm not sure about the Mk4.
The latest firmware for the Mini printer is at version 6.0.0 (at time of writing) https://help.prusa3d.com/downloads?_gl=1*4s6c2t*_ga*MTg2Mzg0NTA0Ni4xNjQ4NjM3NTk1*_ga_3HK7B7RT5V*MTcxNTk0MjM4MC4xNzM2LjEuMTcxNTk0MjcwNC40Ny4wLjA.
So you should be capable of installing the 6.0.0 version onto the printer as long as you get the one for the Mini.
RE: Buddy board/firmware vs. standard board/firmware
Buddy is the name of the hardware/electronics board that controls the printer. Named after Joe's dog I believe. The Buddy series of boards was designed in house specifically for Prusa. It is a completely different platform (more modern and capable) than the old board fitted to the Mk3 series of printers.
There are at least 2, and possibly more types of Buddy board. The one fitted to the mini printers is the original type. The XL has a different one and I'm not sure about the Mk4.
The latest firmware for the Mini printer is at version 6.0.0 (at time of writing) https://help.prusa3d.com/downloads?_gl=1*4s6c2t*_ga*MTg2Mzg0NTA0Ni4xNjQ4NjM3NTk1*_ga_3HK7B7RT5V*MTcxNTk0MjM4MC4xNzM2LjEuMTcxNTk0MjcwNC40Ny4wLjA.
So you should be capable of installing the 6.0.0 version onto the printer as long as you get the one for the Mini.
RE: Buddy board/firmware vs. standard board/firmware
Thank you Neophyl for the help.
I was actually able to upgrade to 6.0.0 (starting from 4.4.1, I just had to go through 5.1.0 as it would not do it direct to 6.0.0).
The version difference and the special name made it confusing for me, I thought I had a different sort of printer board, possibly a counterfeit one 😮 😆 But all is fine now.