assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?  

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

Grease the bearings before installation ...

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

You may want to print the 3S improved Y belt tensioner if you don't have eyes on a different one.

And if you have MR63ZZ bearings on hand, an extruder mod that uses the 3S design for improved belt access with the Mk3 filament sensor in "indirect" mode.

Neither is required, but could save you some fiddling down the road.

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

Is it worth printing the updated R3 extruder?

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

Is it worth printing the updated R3 extruder?

Absolutely a must IMHO.

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

But dont print and install the MK3s Prusa original parts as it bends the filament. Instead look on the forum for the altered design with the alligned filament path. I installed that version today and the filament now goes smooooooth 🙂

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

Link: https://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/user-mods-octoprint-enclosures-nozzles--f65/modified-c1-r4-mk3s-parts-better-filament-path-and-t28334.html#p133592

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

Hi,
I'm starting to assemble my MK3 kit which I got approximately a year ago. Is there anything I should swap out or update by printing replacements of before I get started?

If you parts are R1 or R2 vintage, I would print out the C1 parts and do the MK3 to MK3S upgrade.

Also swap out the flex wrap with Textile sleeves and don't install the filament for the bed heater wires.
Might as well end up with a 3S if you are just starting to build it.

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

And if you have MR63ZZ bearings on hand, an extruder mod that uses the 3S design for improved belt access with the Mk3 filament sensor in "indirect" mode.

I'm concerned about recommending this, not because of the design but because Prusa has now gone in a different direction and may remove this code from the firmware. They could also do what they did to the MK2 and just stop completely and move to another firmware revision and any new enhancements won't be pushed down to this one.

Just something to think about.

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

And if you have MR63ZZ bearings on hand, an extruder mod that uses the 3S design for improved belt access with the Mk3 filament sensor in "indirect" mode.

I'm concerned about recommending this, not because of the design but because Prusa has now gone in a different direction and may remove this code from the firmware. They could also do what they did to the MK2 and just stop completely and move to another firmware revision and any new enhancements won't be pushed down to this one.

Just something to think about.

They are keeping replacement laser sensors in stock for Mk3 support for at least two years so I would imagine firmware support for them is going to continue at least that long. My understanding was also that the 3s and 3 branches are going to be merged before long once the sensor differences are handled and auto-detected.

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

They are keeping replacement laser sensors in stock for Mk3 support for at least two years so I would imagine firmware support for them is going to continue at least that long. My understanding was also that the 3s and 3 branches are going to be merged before long once the sensor differences are handled and auto-detected.

Well, they also made promises about keeping the MK2 up to date but if you have one you'll notice the last firmware update for it was November 2017. The USB connection issues for OctoPrint and Repetier are still there, never fixed.

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

They are keeping replacement laser sensors in stock for Mk3 support for at least two years so I would imagine firmware support for them is going to continue at least that long. My understanding was also that the 3s and 3 branches are going to be merged before long once the sensor differences are handled and auto-detected.

Well, they also made promises about keeping the MK2 up to date but if you have one you'll notice the last firmware update for it was November 2017. The USB connection issues for OctoPrint and Repetier are still there, never fixed.

Well, at that point you're going to have to update sensors anyway regardless of whether you do this mod or leave it stock R3. So I think it's still a valid suggestion if you don't want to spend money on a 3S kit with new sensor at this time. If you want to buy an upgrade kit, by all means. Just offering options for those that do not want to spend at least half as much again on shipping for a $20 kit

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

Well, at that point you're going to have to update sensors anyway regardless of whether you do this mod or leave it stock R3. So I think it's still a valid suggestion if you don't want to spend money on a 3S kit with new sensor at this time. If you want to buy an upgrade kit, by all means. Just offering options for those that do not want to spend at least half as much again on shipping for a $20 kit

Fair enough. I actually went and bought some bearings to do this mod. They took so long to get here (USPS lost them) that when they did show up the 3S had been announced and I ordered the upgrade. Hopefully it will ship soon.

Re: assembling year old MK3 kit: anything to update?

Link: https://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/user-mods-octoprint-enclosures-nozzles--f65/modified-c1-r4-mk3s-parts-better-filament-path-and-t28334.html#p133592

Thanks for this suggestion OPK. I am building with this mod.