Prusa I3 Steel XL upgrade
Hi guys !
I built a Prusa I3 Steel XL 2 years ago.
It's an all steel big frame very closed to the last original Prusa I3 MK3. Printing dimensions 300X300X300 !
I used genuine Nema 17 but Arduino Mega + Ramps 1.4 chinese clone and an extruder self printed in a local FabLab.
I installed a 220V heated bed, giving high temperature for difficult materials like ABS and heating very fast.
I can print ABS directly on a glass plate without warping !
Now I'm very interested in new options of the last Prusa I3 MK3 : intelligent drivers, filament sensor, PINDA 2 probe, Bondtech extruder...
As I have a strong frame and Nema motors, do you think I could upgrade my printer just changing electronic and extruder parts ?
Thanks for your help.
Re: Prusa I3 Steel XL upgrade
Hi Vincent,
the simple answer is NO...
your printer hardware is similar but different to the Prusa Mk3 setup, so if everything went well, your print area would be reduced to the Mk3 print area.
because that information is coded in the firmware... (this can be modified, but you need to be comfortable doing so, yourself)
the trinamic drivers are configured for the version of nema motors that Prusa use. this may not match yours, you may need to revise the configuration yourself
it is unlikely that your mains powered heatbed will work with the Pinda probe, especially if you have glass on it.
people have made prusa derivatives but they have had to make changes to the stock firmware to accommodate the differences between the prusa original hardware and their home brew / re purposed hardware.
if you look through this forum, you will find various notes where people have had varying success with modifications. which may help you with your quest, however this forum is primarily focussed on using the original prusa equipment.
I wish you well with your proposed modifications
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK