[Closed] 2-way MMU more reliable?  

Re: 2-way MMU more reliable?

The design flaws in the MUX are the main problem with the MMU, though there are other people that seem to experience some PTFE tube problems, I'm finding the majority of it goes away when you replace the MUX.

In my opinion, the unreliability isn't because of using 4 colors, it has to do with tolerances and defects in printed parts. Although what you are saying is technically true, with less components there is less to fail, I also find that when the components are working the way they are supposed to, they just don't fail (unless there is some really funky filament running through them or your slic3r settings are off).

Look into my thread on the redesigned MUX if you want more info for why a good majority of people are having problems.

https://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk2-multi-material-f26/monoplexer-and-multiplexer-redesigns-no-metal-part-t12801-s40.html

If you haven't bought the MMU yet, read that thread first. There are a ton of people having jams and blockage problems due to the MUX, but it's not the end of the world, and you can still get full 4-color usage out of your printer if you are willing to do a little leg work. It would be relatively easy to make a 2 path MUX like you suggest, but if you are relying on the MMU to get those feed paths, you may as well use all 4 extruders, you paid for them after all.

Re: 2-way MMU more reliable?

Thanks, Seth.

So there is a certain risk that I will encounter these issues with the dual-MMU as well, right?
(or is the MUX the same when you order the dual-version of the MMU-kit?)

Even if I like tinkering quite a bit I wonder whether I want to spend ~1,4k€ for a printer when I have to
print/install/finetune enhancements myself before it does what I paid for...

In that case I'd rather start with a DIY-kit from the far east and tinker even more;-)

Re: 2-way MMU more reliable?

I can't speak to the reliability of the dual version. However, it probably relies on the same design principles as the 4 way, so I would expect at least some of the same problems to arise if you experience any problems.

The price point is about the lowest you'll find for what you get with this printer.

Browsing these forums is probably a catch-22 in the sense that you probably won't hear from the people that didn't have problems.

As far as fine tuning, the printer itself takes care of almost all of that for you, which is why so many people flock to the Prusa.

Hope that helps!

Re: 2-way MMU more reliable?

Hi matthias.s8,

I have two MK2Ss one of which has the MM upgrade. I've had it since early Sept and I've had few problems with it after I worked out how to load the filaments correctly and increased the retraction settings a bit.

I'm not suggesting that people on the forums don't have problem units, I'm just saying that it isn't 100% unhappy customers. Both my printers are working daily and for PLA and ABS use I will happily use either machine. Obviously, if I want something multi-colour then I use the MMU version and if I want to print in TPU then I use the single material version. Otherwise, I see no difference between the two machines' output. The MMU is just as reliable and prints as well as the plain MK2S.

The only reason I reckon the 2-colour version would be more reliable than the 4-colour is loading two filaments is less likely to mess up than with four.

Regards

Carl

Re: 2-way MMU more reliable?

Hi Matthias,

I am having the 4-way MMU - though I did plan to buy the 2-way unit in the beginning. Only after finding out that the 2-way unit is not being sold any more, I took the 4-way unit.
Working with it since 2 weeks now (though I got my printer in March 2017 already and this is my second printer). You should expect to run into issues with the MMU kit - whether it is 2-way or 4-way.
And from what I read, I understand that this is going to be your first printer? If so, I'd rather recommend to not go for the MMU kit until you have had enough time to get into the 3D printing and get to know your printer. Otherwise I fear that at this point in time, the frustration will be too high.

BR, Harald