Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
I'm considering upgrading my MK3S+ but want to factor in the time it will take to do the upgrade vs buying a fully assembled MK4.
I haven't seen, and can't find, any mention of the time the MK3.9 or MK4 upgrade process takes – if anyone has spotted that info or someone from Prusa can chime in that'd be much appreciated!
I doubt anyone knows. The only people to have done it 'til now will have been experienced engineers who know the process inside out.
Writing the build manuals is not trivial and then testing them with non-engineers, refining, retesting ...
Assume it's as complex as a full build by the time you factor in the tear-down. There were first-time Mk3 builders who did it under three hours (but they may be the ones who then had endless problems) and others took two days. Anyone who built more than one got much quicker with experience.
So: About that long then,
Cheerio,
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
Thanks. I'll measure my piece of string.
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
I will try to estimate how long a conversion to MK4 might take - based on now 12 3D printer courses, with a total of over 60 Prusa printers built. We have had both fast and slow builders as participants.:
- 0:30 Electronics box - remove all wires.
- 0:10 Remove the electronics box.
- 0:20 Remove extruder.
- 0:10 Remove the old display and the supply cables.
- 0:30 Remove X-axis, replace motor.
- 0:20 Remove both Z-motors and guide rods
- 0:20 Install new Z-motors and guide rods.
- 0:10 Reinstall X-axis
- 0:15 Mount extruder
- 0:30 maybe remove parts from old extruder and reuse?
- 0:10 Install new board in the new electronics box.
- 0:10 Mount the box on the printer.
- 0:15 mount new display
- 0:20 Electronics box: reinsert / screw together / manage cables
That's more than 4h - ymmv.
If there are a lot of parts that you need from the old extruder - especially the square nuts - it can also take considerably longer to fumble them out again.
Of course, it's also possible that I completely underestimated assemblies here, or simply didn't mention them. Therefore, I would estimate the realistic time at least 8h.
If you really want or need to print again quickly 😉 you can disassemble just before delivery. The manual will hopefully be available soon.
RE:
I will not upgrade my MK3S. I purchased a new additional MK4. 😉
Why ? First, for the costs I had to invest, having two working printers is better than one plus a box of spare pieces.. 😎 , and moreover MK4 is not compatible now with the MMU2, and I want to continue to use my MMU2. MMU3 may be will be release in 4th quarter 2023 or later and I want to continue to use it in the meantime.
Ah, and by the way, I have not yet mounted the MK3S->MK3S+ since I will do at the next big cleaning maintenance.
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
The MK3x to MK4 upgrade instructions have posted. Short answer, if you include the printing time of the parts, the MK4 kit would be faster, it comes with printed parts. I estimate the MK3.9 or MK4 upgrade takes the same time it takes to build a MK4 from a kit. Plus you need to print out all the new MK4 printable parts first. It is a major update. I have the experience of building an MK3s+ and an MK4 from a kit.
It is a tear down of the MK3x to the frame leaving the 24V black power supply. Keep Y axis rods, X axis rods, Y carriage and Heat bed. If none are damaged, otherwise you will need to replace them. Change heat bed thermistor. Add 2 nuts and cable clamps to the frame. Then you are taken to the MK4 build instructions where you put on the Buddy board cabinet and proceed from there using the MK4 build instructions.
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
Have the Mk3S+ with the MMU and it works fine. Did look at the Mk4 but couldn't justify the price for a hobby machine.
The prints from my Mk3 are just fine and have been since I built the kit in 2020. The MMU can be a dog at times. Not worth the money IMHO
Jumped to the dark side and got an Ender-3 S1 Pro with Sonic pad for under £500. now just have to get Prusa Slicer working with it.
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
Just put together my Mk4. Maybe took me 8 hours while I watched TV too and had to back track once or twice, nothing major.
I’d say that the upgrade is worth it, to me. My Mk3s is a bit long in the tooth. Not much maintenance on it, if you don’t count F&_(*&#%_(*Y#$ with the MMU2. It was starting to get inconsistent prints. I’m hoping the Mk3.9 upgrade will rid me of those gremlins.
My Mk4 kit prints really well. I’m trying the input shaper and it rocks. Half the print time, and I really couldn’t see any quality difference. I think the upgrade is looking like a positive.
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
I hope my MK3S->MK4 upgrade goes as well. I'm 75/25 on Jettison of the MMU2S. If the ship date slips out towards when the MMU3 is available, maybe I'll keep one of the MMU enabled.
Just put together my Mk4. Maybe took me 8 hours while I watched TV too and had to back track once or twice, nothing major.
I’d say that the upgrade is worth it, to me. My Mk3s is a bit long in the tooth. Not much maintenance on it, if you don’t count F&_(*&#%_(*Y#$ with the MMU2. It was starting to get inconsistent prints. I’m hoping the Mk3.9 upgrade will rid me of those gremlins.
My Mk4 kit prints really well. I’m trying the input shaper and it rocks. Half the print time, and I really couldn’t see any quality difference. I think the upgrade is looking like a positive.
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
Any new info?
I order my 3.9 upgrade 5 months ago! Absolutely ridiculous I'm not printing with it yet, when the f*ck does this mythical mirage come into focus and show up at my front door???????????
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
Check the shipping schedule:
https://help.prusa3d.com/article/shipping-information_2297
Any new info?
I order my 3.9 upgrade 5 months ago! Absolutely ridiculous I'm not printing with it yet, when the f*ck does this mythical mirage come into focus and show up at my front door???????????
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
so i now am waiting 4 to 5 months for the upgraded 3.9 kit lol
Check the shipping schedule:
https://help.prusa3d.com/article/shipping-information_2297
Any new info?
I order my 3.9 upgrade 5 months ago! Absolutely ridiculous I'm not printing with it yet, when the f*ck does this mythical mirage come into focus and show up at my front door???????????
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
Thanks for trying to help, but it has ZERO news on a time frame for me. (MK3S+ to 3.9) 🙄 😠
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
You would think that Prusa communicating delays in shipping would be a core competency for them by now since they do it so much.
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
Thanks for trying to help, but it has ZERO news on a time frame for me. (MK3S+ to 3.9) 🙄 😠
You are not going to get a time frame. You will likely get an update and linkly an improved timeline when they get an idea of how many of the upgrades need the new parts.
so i now am waiting 4 to 5 months for the upgraded 3.9 kit lol
Check the shipping schedule:
https://help.prusa3d.com/article/shipping-information_2297
Any new info?
I order my 3.9 upgrade 5 months ago! Absolutely ridiculous I'm not printing with it yet, when the f*ck does this mythical mirage come into focus and show up at my front door???????????
That is not what the table says. It says that the 3.5 has been delayed by 4-5 months because they realized that there are too many variants beign produced right now. I also suspect this is the more complicated version out there and they needed to test more.
The whole communication by Prusa has stunk for years. I not sure it will ever improve.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
well said lol. I was disappointed when I contacted support a couple days ago and they said that my two MK3S->MK4 kits ordered 04/01 would now ship the second week of sept vs. the week of august 7th. And even more disappointed that my fully assembled 5 extruder XL ordered 0n 11/18/2021 would also ship the second week of sept vs. the week of july 24th. This is even with prusa saying they have been ramping up production.
I'm super anxious to get my hands on something new. it looks like the upgrade kits and the xl will ship around the same time. I'll have to live vicariously through those who have already got their stuff.
You would think that Prusa communicating delays in shipping would be a core competency for them by now since they do it so much.
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
It is disappointing, but no reason to get bent out of shape. We cannot change anything. I have to have faith that Prusa is doing everything it can to fix the situation, and why would I want a printer that does not work?
Keep an eye on my XL build thread. I did have three hours of frustration during the build. Three hours on support as we were trying to work through an issue.
well said lol. I was disappointed when I contacted support a couple days ago and they said that my two MK3S->MK4 kits ordered 04/01 would now ship the second week of sept vs. the week of august 7th. And even more disappointed that my fully assembled 5 extruder XL ordered 0n 11/18/2021 would also ship the second week of sept vs. the week of july 24th. This is even with prusa saying they have been ramping up production.
I'm super anxious to get my hands on something new. it looks like the upgrade kits and the xl will ship around the same time. I'll have to live vicariously through those who have already got their stuff.
You would think that Prusa communicating delays in shipping would be a core competency for them by now since they do it so much.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
I started another thread about it, but has anyone else gotten an email about ugrading to the 3.9 from the Mk3. IT asks about the power supply and heated bed connection. Sounds like these aren't going out anytime soon....
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
Yeah I did, I filled out the form and sent it back as soon as I got it. It sounded like both my MK3S printers were of the new variety and didn't need the additional stuff
I started another thread about it, but has anyone else gotten an email about ugrading to the 3.9 from the Mk3. IT asks about the power supply and heated bed connection. Sounds like these aren't going out anytime soon....
RE: Time to upgrade MK3S+ to MK3.9 / MK4
Yeah, it's not going to have me switch to some other vendor. And 100% I'd rather them iron things out before I get the upgrade and the xl. I'll definitely checkout your thread. It's a big reason when I buy the new printers from prusa that I buy the fully assembled ones when possible. Looking forward to using the MK4 parts I printed MONTHS ago now lol
It is disappointing, but no reason to get bent out of shape. We cannot change anything. I have to have faith that Prusa is doing everything it can to fix the situation, and why would I want a printer that does not work?
Keep an eye on my XL build thread. I did have three hours of frustration during the build. Three hours on support as we were trying to work through an issue.
well said lol. I was disappointed when I contacted support a couple days ago and they said that my two MK3S->MK4 kits ordered 04/01 would now ship the second week of sept vs. the week of august 7th. And even more disappointed that my fully assembled 5 extruder XL ordered 0n 11/18/2021 would also ship the second week of sept vs. the week of july 24th. This is even with prusa saying they have been ramping up production.
I'm super anxious to get my hands on something new. it looks like the upgrade kits and the xl will ship around the same time. I'll have to live vicariously through those who have already got their stuff.
You would think that Prusa communicating delays in shipping would be a core competency for them by now since they do it so much.