Help printing new parts for the Prusa Mini+
Hello all,
I would like to recolor my Prusa mini, and I am looking for help with a couple questions in doing so. I was remarkably unable to find answers to most of these questions anywhere on the internet. If you have any info you can add, or if you can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate the help. Let me list all the questions briefly.
- What materials are recommended? I believe the original is PETG. Is PETG-CF also acceptable or better/worse?
- What print settings are critical? So far the only thing I have found is 20-25% infill.
- Are there any supports needed or is it sufficient to print without them and tolerate the partial drooping?
- Can these parts be printed with other nozzle sizes, like 0.8mm, or is the degradation in resolution too much?
- Is there any guide to checking dimensional accuracy of the finished parts? How do I know if it was a success?
I can, and have, used my own judgment on all of this. However, it would be nice to hear from a Prusa engineer their educated opinion on a few of these points. Especially the acceptable dimensional tolerances of the new parts. Were the parts designed with some slop in mind, or do they function best when printed most accurately to the 3D model? I do not know.
In a perfect world, a short document in the Prusa knowledge base giving some pointers and suggestions on how to re-print parts for all the printer models would be a nice thing to have. If it could include a checklist of critical dimensions to check, that would also be ideal.
If anyone has anything they can add, please let me know.
Thank you and happy printing!
RE: Help printing new parts for the Prusa Mini+
https://www.printables.com/model/57214-mini-printable-parts states:
Print instructions
PrusaSlicer's default PETG 0.2mm presets.
Also in download section there is a PDF file named 'HowToPrintParts.pdf'
https://www.printables.com/model/57214-mini-printable-parts/files
See my GitHub and printables.com for some 3d stuff that you may like.
RE:
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I believe you are overthinking it 🙂
Nowadays I would suggest using models and reslicing it with 0.2mm structural profle.
Some other recommendations - PETG is a default, but ASA/ABS/PC is needed if you want your target printer parts to withstand higher temperatures especially if you intend to print in heated enclosure over 50C.
Default is 4 perimeters, use 4 perimeters for extra sturdiness (having more perimeters is more important than infill type/percentage). Use supports. Brim optional for smaller parts. Skirt not needed.
I would also switch to rectilinear infill (actually grid is a bit problematic by itself).
Dimensional precision is not that important, I would rather check if the holes are in proper diameters and clean them from excess with a drill.
Using other nozzles - you could do it but I would stick to the default, otherwise you may need to do more postprocessing.
If the parts like rods slide in without noticeable force, screws have a grip where they should screw into part then this is okay.
See my GitHub and printables.com for some 3d stuff that you may like.
RE: Help printing new parts for the Prusa Mini+
I would like to recolor my Prusa mini
Which is what I have done for all my printers, from Mini to XL.
it would be nice to hear from a Prusa engineer
Yeah, that's not going to happen on this forum. You have to settle for advice from low-lifes like us 🙂
What materials are recommended? I believe the original is PETG. Is PETG-CF also acceptable or better/worse?
I've used PETG, ASA and PCCF. I'm sure PETG-CF is fine. See Kazpir's comments about use in enclosures at high temperature.
What print settings are critical? So far the only thing I have found is 20-25% infill.
- Are there any supports needed or is it sufficient to print without them and tolerate the partial drooping?
Just go with 0.2mm layer height, 2 or 3 perimeters (more don't hurt, just take more time), and 20% or so infill. Most parts are designed to print without supports but it's been so long that I printed the Mini parts that I don't know if that's true for them as well. Some of the holes may droop a bit but to no harm. I know I used gyroid infill for the Mini parts, but lately I'm more likely to use Cubic. Just do yourself a favor and don't use Grid, which is sheer evil.
- Can these parts be printed with other nozzle sizes, like 0.8mm, or is the degradation in resolution too much?
I'd say that's a "no". I once printed parts with a 0.6 nozzle. Remember the time when "oh, 0.4 nozzles are so out, all you ever need is a 0.6 nozzle and Arachne" was all the rage? Yeah, that didn't last long, and my 0.6mm parts were—bad. I certainly wouldn't use a 0.8 mm nozzle.
- Is there any guide to checking dimensional accuracy of the finished parts? How do I know if it was a success?
You know it was a success when it all fits together nicely 🙂! Again, it's been years since I color-coded my Minis but I can't recall I had any issues with it at all.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...