Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4  

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

You should only call it i3 MK4 if there is a clean upgrade path from MK3.

Otherwise, it would be a completely new machine and should not be allowed to inherit the name.

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

I think it would be interesting to make it so that you could use the XL heads on the new i3.  Maybe have it be able to use two heads at least, or really just one, but make it so that it is swappable between prints.  That way you get all the new extruder and hot end tech.  A major issue I have with the MK3 is that anytime you want to do work on the hot-end/extruder, there is a lot of work to do.  Being able to take it off and do maintenance and repairs while using another ‘head’ would be great.

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

@lichtjaeger How much change is needed and permitted to call it a MK4 ?
Change too little (eg only going 32bit) is nice but not enough insentive to upgrade.
Changing the dimensions also maybe too much and results in a completely new machine.
I would love a bigger size xy core machine, but without the cost of the XL, 2000+ is just too much for a hobby machine.
Could one water down the XL even more without changing the dimensions (eg just 1 heated bed with no heatzones) ?
It would make it more affordable and still have an upgrade path to the XL...

https://blog.prusa3d.com/the-future-of-manufacturing-by-prusa-research_55993/

Cheerio,

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

I agree that if there's no upgrade path then it won't be a MK4, maybe just the heat bed and Nextruder? Core XY and linear rails would entail changing almost the whole printer. Having the Nextruder with no need for first layer calibration would be great

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

I think any upgrade would have to leave the basic structure in place.  Maybe swap the shafts for linear rails, but only as an option.  Using the new head and electronics and segmented bed would be interesting.   An MMU3 would be appreciated also.  If the electronics are more powerful, a motor and drive for each filament would really be a way to simplify and make the filament changes more robust.

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

I'd be happy if the Mk4 eventually came out with an upgraded version of the Mini's 32-bit board (and screen) as well as the Nextruder. I'd expect all the Mk3's and the Mini's features to be included, as well as Prusa Link embedded in the firmware. That'd be good enough for me.

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

Thank you MileHigh3Der!

I agree with you!

<< ... Using the new head [so you can easily change the nose]
and electronics [but the previous one is not so bad...]
And segmented bed [with a bigger bed than the mk3s].

An MMU3 [new !] would also be appreciated. ... a motor and drive for each filament would really make filament changes simpler and more robust.>>

I also ask for a housing [for asa, abs and others].

F. from french (with deepl help)

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

Who'd want to pay $2-3k for a slightly smaller XL? 

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

I would. I don't need that much space for printing, the MK3S+ is enough for me. But I really want a multiple toolhead option. This and the CoreXY build are the only things that make me want an XL. A smaller slightly less expensive version would be a dream come true.

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

Wouldn’t i4 MK1 be a more appropriate name?

RE:

The problem with adding an extra head to the Mk3 upgrade is that you will lose print width.  That is unless they add a tool changer.  

Posted by: @milehigh3der

I think it would be interesting to make it so that you could use the XL heads on the new i3.  Maybe have it be able to use two heads at least, or really just one, but make it so that it is swappable between prints.  That way you get all the new extruder and hot end tech.  A major issue I have with the MK3 is that anytime you want to do work on the hot-end/extruder, there is a lot of work to do.  Being able to take it off and do maintenance and repairs while using another ‘head’ would be great.

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

Exactly, I was looking for this very link. @SG Newb Rider -- I believe the AFS printer is the MK3 successor. 9 heat beds (3x3) would mean a 270x270x270 build volume which is a nice upgrade from the MK3. Corexy, upgraded extruder, 32 bit, and add the input shaping/pressure advance to give me speeds approaching the Bambu Lab printers and we have a winner as long as the price it comparably to the competitors. 

In hindsight I'm wondering if Prusa wished they would have released the MK3 successor first to give themselves more time for the XL.

Posted by: @diem

https://blog.prusa3d.com/the-future-of-manufacturing-by-prusa-research_55993/

Cheerio,

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

Yes. I think that would have been extremely popular. I would not have canceled my MK4 order.

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

hello important that

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

For me it's very obvious Prusa will come with smaller Core XY printers in the near future. They will share most parts with the XL like the board, Nextruder and the same bed segments but in a 3x3 and 2x2 configuration  (27x27 and 18x18cm)

I think those will be released when the XL is fully up and running and bug free.

The XL is obvious the beginning of this new line of printers.

It makes sense to release the bigger most expensive version first and test in the wild before releasing the smaller versions.

The MK4 is the successor of the MK3 and has his own place. 

RE:

Posted by: @sg-newb-rider

Given the R&D sunk into the XL for the feature set, it would make sense to keep almost all the electronics and move them to a smaller form factor and have that be the MK4. Just have 9 pieces of the heated bed instead of 16 and reduce the rail length/enclosure. It could even feature the tool changer with 3/4 tools instead of 5. It would keep inventory simple as they share all of the electronics and some of the hardware.

Already have a MK4 and it's not a CoreXY.  You would have to call it the MK4X or the XL mini...   lol

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

The XL is too large for me! I do not have the real estate available, neither width nor length.

My dream: 3x3 bed, not too slow core-xy with linear rails, compact housing for printing e.g. nylon ootb, tool-changer for 2 or maybe even 3 heads for different materials, silent, open source, moddable, nextruder with accelerometer, not denting my steel sheets. Something like the AFS-machine

...and I would just call it "M". Period.

RE: Shrink the XL 25% and call it the MK4

I think any upgrade would have to leave the basic structure in place.  Maybe swap the shafts for linear rails, but only as an option.  Using the new head and electronics and segmented bed would be interesting.   An MMU3 would be appreciated also.  If the electronics are more powerful, a motor and drive for each filament would really be a way to simplify and make the filament changes more robust.....