Observations from my first few days with the XL
Got the single head version a few days ago. I'll upgrade to 5 heads later but was tired of waiting and my old printer was on its last leg. Happy to answer any questions. Here are some initial observations.
1) There doesn't seem to be a USB port that you can use for OctoPrint. This blows my mind. I don't think you can use the front panel usb port that's intended for a USB key and I don't see any other USB ports on the printer. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see any way to get OctoPrint working.
2) The printer constantly locks up inbetween sessions and needs to be reset. Most typical lockup is after uploading a file to it via PrusaLink or PrusaConnect. As soon as the upload is done the printer shows offline. Also happens when you try to start a print from Link/Connect. Usually the screen is sitting at the "Print now" screen. The dial on the controller moves the selection between Print and Back, but pushing the dial doesn't select either option. This has become so tiresome that I installed a smart switch so I can remotely reset the printer.
3) Uploading gcode from PrusaSlicer to PrusaConnect is very fast. 40MB files get uploaded in less than a minute. Then when you hit Print from Connect, it needs to send the file to the printer. This takes literally hours for a 40MB file. It makes no sense at all. The only realistic way to use Connect is to export the gcode from Slicer to your hard drive, then upload it to the printer via Link, then go to Connect and start the print. It's frustrating.
4) The printer itself prints WONDERFULLY. Quality is great, speed is good. The z-leveling is awesome. It's smart and only levels/heats the part of the bed being used for the print. Filament sensor and print recovery all work perfectly. Very, very happy with the printer itself.
5) It's big 🙂 Set aside some space for it on your shelf. That build plate size means you can print LOTS of models at the same time and save yourself from repeated trips to the printer to remove a print and start the next one. This also means that you REALLY need to think about your spool capacity. This thing churns through filament! When a print fails, you're likely to lose a lot more than a single model because it's so tempting to print 12+ things at once. Thankfully, Slicer shows the weight of the filament needed (including the spool for known manufacturers) so a quick weighing of the spool before the print if you're doubtful works well.
6) Assembly was really easy. Just make sure you follow the step-by-step. You can't figure it out yourself without instructions. Took about 30 minutes. You'll need to spin the machine around a couple of times so it's best to do the assembly on a counter or something and then move the assembled printer to where it will live.
Let me know any questions ya'll might have. And PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong about Octoprint!
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
Couple of more things:
7) Even when uploading gcode directly to Link, I mostly get "Upload unsuccessful" and then the printer goes offline. I reset the printer and the file shows up in storage. Not very confidence inspiring but a few times I've redownloaded the file from the printer (which takes longer than it should) and done a comparison of the files to make sure they were identical. They always are.
8) I've had two hard errors when resetting the printer. First was an error that the printer couldn't communicate with the WiFi controller. Not the network, but the internal controller board. Reset fixed it. I also got a Puppy Address error saying the printer couldn't connect to an internal board. Reset fixed it. I've also had a couple of instances where a reset doesn't connect back to the WiFi network. Reset fixes that, too. I worry the reset button is getting worn out though 🙂
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
Pretty much in line with my own experience. Octoprint is a no go for now but PrusaConnect isn't too bad and has IMHO a nicer UI. But yes, the whole network stack is a total mess. WiFi and Ethernet speeds from Prusaslicer to the printer are horrific. And as you discovered, for some reason you constantly have to restart, or the printer will sooner or later show as Offline and can't be reached even though on the printer the network settings look okay.
I agree, print quality is very good. I bought it for the multi tool head capabilities and will upgrade once they become available as an upgrade kit. Didn't think I had much need for the large print volume but it turns out that one of the things I sell I can now print four at a time instead of one diagonally on the Mk3s, so that's nice.
Still, hard to justify as a one tool head unit.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
One more thing - This printer is big as it is and I'm guessing most people will put it against a wall. It comes with a straight power cord so you can save a few inches by getting a 90 degree power cord for the back!
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
Is there a way to safely reduce the height of the unit by tucking the bowden / cable assembly in a bit? Space is scarce in my workshop, and saving a few inches vertically would be good.
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
I would not do that without talking to support via chat.
Is there a way to safely reduce the height of the unit by tucking the bowden / cable assembly in a bit? Space is scarce in my workshop, and saving a few inches vertically would be good.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
Just wanted to confirm that I got OctoPrint working!
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
How did you get it to work if you don't mind my asking?
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
I imagine he used the USB-C port on the Back of the XL, on the Buddy board. I believe that's the serial connection port.
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
I resliced a file that I used to print perfectly on my mK3. On the XL, the first layer came out slightly squished which means my print doesn’t fit together well. Any suggestions?
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
Got the single head version a few days ago. I'll upgrade to 5 heads later but was tired of waiting and my old printer was on its last leg. Happy to answer any questions. Here are some initial observations.
1) There doesn't seem to be a USB port that you can use for OctoPrint. This blows my mind. I don't think you can use the front panel usb port that's intended for a USB key and I don't see any other USB ports on the printer. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see any way to get OctoPrint working.
Octoprint is very resource hungry. While the buddy board is certainly a lot more capable than the previous ones I would assume it can't handle octoprint on its own. Is there any major desktop 3D printer where the stock board can stem Octoprint on its own, without a Raspberry Pi?
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
Not enough information. Maybe a photo?
I resliced a file that I used to print perfectly on my mK3. On the XL, the first layer came out slightly squished which means my print doesn’t fit together well. Any suggestions?
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
circled in red is the XL print. The first layer seems to be squished more. Not making it a perfect right angle corner. The non circled is the same item on the mk3. With perfect corners.
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
^^ That looks very off. No way this could be the intended level of first layer quality on a properly working XL.
Have you tried to re-calibrate the loadcell?
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
I have! But maybe I’m missing a step. I tapped it when asked. What else is there to do to calibrate?
RE:
I would recalibrate it, repeat the procedure and make sure that you do as written in the Prusa guide. There is not really much more to do there than tapping the nozzle at the right time, yes. But who knows, it looks very off and maybe first level support like repeating calibration can fix it. If it doesn't I would contact Prusa live chat, preferably with images of that terrible first layer.
As a last resort if all of that can't lead to a resolving of that issue, you can always save a manual z-adjust, if your XL is consistently too low with the first layer.
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
Is this maybe an extrusion problem? Nozzle ok? Filament profile ok? Looks like extreme elephants foot, unless I’m misunderstanding the picture?
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
I think you are understanding it. All the calibrations passed. I’ll try again. I will also look at slicer settings.
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
One last idea: does the nozzle match the printer profile? I’ve never tried this, but I would imagine that running a 0.6 nozzle with .8 gcode might lead to weird first layer, but maybe everything on top would look … ok? Just guessing. Good luck!
RE: Observations from my first few days with the XL
It does! But I’m going to double check in the slicer.
One last idea: does the nozzle match the printer profile? I’ve never tried this, but I would imagine that running a 0.6 nozzle with .8 gcode might lead to weird first layer, but maybe everything on top would look … ok? Just guessing. Good luck!