Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
I received my Mk3 kit last week and built over about 4 days. I thought the lit was excellently thought out, not very hard to build and a lot of fun to put together, I have put together a lot of kits in my time, with almost 45 years of building electronics form kits to scratch builds. In this time I have seen some very good manuals and some very poor manuals. I must say that the manual for the Mk3 ranks up there with the very best,, near Heathlkit quality!
I suggest to every builder that you read each step before doing anything and when done read it again, then check your work before going on. If you follow the instruction and make sure your tighten all the screws properly you printer will check out as being perpendicular. The only problem I had during the build is that my filament sensor was damaged in shipment, so I built it without the sensor. Prusa has a new on on the way. I am happy that nothing more was damaged since UPS was not that kind to the box.
I am starting to get some good prints, but a it took a bit of tweaking. Take your time getting the Live Z and PINDA probe set correctly. These two things will go a long way to getting great prints. Also make sure the two screws with springs are not to tight. Mine were and I was getting clicking from the extruder at first.
I have tried a couple of slicers and seem to get the best results from Slic3r PE. I tried Simplfy3d, but didn't get as good a print I will need to look at the setting,
One last thing this printer is quiet, and I mean quiet. On more than one occasion I ran into the room thinking that the printer stopped, but it was still printing away just to quiet to hear from the other room.
Good job Prusa, I am very impressed with the printer. I am excited to see how this platform evolves
Debra
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
Thanks for sharing your experience Debra.
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
I've finished my printer and already printed a bit. However the stock Slic3rPE profile seems a bit suboptimal to me.
I've changed the following:
The modified start gcode is:
M115 U3.1.1-RC5 ; tell printer latest fw version
M201 X1000 Y1000 Z200 E5000 ; sets maximum accelerations, mm/sec^2
M203 X200 Y200 Z12 E120 ; sets maximum feedrates, mm/sec
M204 S1250 T1250 ; sets acceleration (S) and retract acceleration (T)
M205 X10 Y10 Z0.4 E2.5 ; sets the jerk limits, mm/sec
M205 S0 T0 ; sets the minimum extruding and travel feed rate, mm/sec
M83 ; extruder relative mode
M104 S140 ; preheat extruder
M140 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; set bed temp
M190 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; wait for bed temp
G28 W ; home all without mesh bed level
G80 ; mesh bed leveling
M104 S[first_layer_temperature] ; set extruder temp
M109 S[first_layer_temperature] ; wait for extruder temp
G1 Y-3.0 F1000.0 ; go outside print area
G92 E0.0
G1 X60.0 E9.0 F1000.0 ; intro line
G1 X100.0 E12.5 F1000.0 ; intro line
G92 E0.0
M221 S{if layer_height==0.05}100{else}95{endif}
The modified end gcode is:
G4 ; wait
M221 S100
M104 S0 ; turn off temperature
M140 S0 ; turn off heatbed
M107 ; turn off fan
G1 X125 Y200 Z210; go to end position
M84 ; disable motors
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
thanks for the start and stop gcodes. I like the idea of moving the head out of the way at the end of the print
Thanks
Debra
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
...near Heathlkit quality!
That is high praise indeed! 😀
Thanks for the post.
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
I've finished my printer and already printed a bit. However the stock Slic3rPE profile seems a bit suboptimal to me.
I've changed the following:
The modified start gcode is:
M115 U3.1.1-RC5 ; tell printer latest fw version
M201 X1000 Y1000 Z200 E5000 ; sets maximum accelerations, mm/sec^2
M203 X200 Y200 Z12 E120 ; sets maximum feedrates, mm/sec
M204 S1250 T1250 ; sets acceleration (S) and retract acceleration (T)
M205 X10 Y10 Z0.4 E2.5 ; sets the jerk limits, mm/sec
M205 S0 T0 ; sets the minimum extruding and travel feed rate, mm/sec
M83 ; extruder relative mode
M104 S140 ; preheat extruder
M140 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; set bed temp
M190 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; wait for bed temp
G28 W ; home all without mesh bed level
G80 ; mesh bed leveling
M104 S[first_layer_temperature] ; set extruder temp
M109 S[first_layer_temperature] ; wait for extruder temp
G1 Y-3.0 F1000.0 ; go outside print area
G92 E0.0
G1 X60.0 E9.0 F1000.0 ; intro line
G1 X100.0 E12.5 F1000.0 ; intro line
G92 E0.0
M221 S{if layer_height==0.05}100{else}95{endif}
The modified end gcode is:
G4 ; wait
M221 S100
M104 S0 ; turn off temperature
M140 S0 ; turn off heatbed
M107 ; turn off fan
G1 X125 Y200 Z210; go to end position
M84 ; disable motors
Thanks frieser, your custom codes are awesome! Especially now that I don't have filament boogers all over my bed from the auto level sequence. Only thing I did was change the end position to X0 Y200 Z200 as a couple loops of filament would come off of the spool after a print finishes using your values...
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
The modified start gcode is:
M115 U3.1.1-RC5 ; tell printer latest fw version
M201 X1000 Y1000 Z200 E5000 ; sets maximum accelerations, mm/sec^2
M203 X200 Y200 Z12 E120 ; sets maximum feedrates, mm/sec
M204 S1250 T1250 ; sets acceleration (S) and retract acceleration (T)
M205 X10 Y10 Z0.4 E2.5 ; sets the jerk limits, mm/sec
M205 S0 T0 ; sets the minimum extruding and travel feed rate, mm/sec
M83 ; extruder relative mode
M104 S140 ; preheat extruder
M140 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; set bed temp
M190 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; wait for bed temp
G28 W ; home all without mesh bed level
G80 ; mesh bed leveling
M104 S[first_layer_temperature] ; set extruder temp
M109 S[first_layer_temperature] ; wait for extruder temp
G1 Y-3.0 F1000.0 ; go outside print area
G92 E0.0
G1 X60.0 E9.0 F1000.0 ; intro line
G1 X100.0 E12.5 F1000.0 ; intro line
G92 E0.0
M221 S{if layer_height==0.05}100{else}95{endif}
This start Gcode is fairly safe for PLA, however with HTPLA, PETG, ABS, PC, Nylon, etc. This start Gcode can ruin your day.
I tried with it at 150c, and a cold-blob that was already on the nozzle, actually "pressed" into the heat bed, causing VERY inaccurate first layer.
M115 U3.1.1-RC5 ; tell printer latest fw version
M201 X1000 Y1000 Z200 E5000 ; sets maximum accelerations, mm/sec^2
M203 X200 Y200 Z12 E120 ; sets maximum feedrates, mm/sec
M204 S1250 T1250 ; sets acceleration (S) and retract acceleration (T)
M205 X10 Y10 Z0.4 E2.5 ; sets the jerk limits, mm/sec
M205 S0 T0 ; sets the minimum extruding and travel feed rate, mm/sec
M83 ; extruder relative mode
M104 S{first_layer_temperature[0] - 40} ; Set nozzle temp 40c below first layer temp.
M140 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; set bed temp
M190 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; wait for bed temp
{if first_layer_temperature[0] < 241}M106 S255{endif} ; wait extruder temp
M109 S[first_layer_temperature] ; wait for extruder temp
G28 W ; home all without mesh bed level
G80 ; mesh bed leveling
G1 Y-3.0 F1000.0 ; go outside print area
M106 S0 ; Turn cooling fan off before printing anything
G92 E0.0
G1 X60.0 E9.0 F1000.0 ; intro line
G1 X100.0 E12.5 F1000.0 ; intro line
G92 E0.0
M221 S{if layer_height<0.075}100{else}95{endif}
My Gcode does 2-3 things yours does not.
1. Nozzle pre-heat temp, is calculated with math. So it's whatever your print temp is, -40c. If you are getting relevan toozing at that temp... you are most likely printing WAY too hot.
2. When printing below 240c. I turn the part cooling fan on. This cools the "Shell" of the blob on the nozzle, preventing it from sticking to anything. Blob on the nozzle, never hurt anything, as long as it's not sticking to things.
3. If printing above 241c or above, the part cooling fan does not turn on. I find when printing with "hot" filaments, it's a serious pain in the rear end, trying to get the nozzle up to 270, with the fan on. (it takes ~5 minutes) So I don't turn the fan on, with "high temp" filaments. (They are also the filaments that don't wanna stick to anything, anyway, so it's less of a concern)
Another trick, that I've read about, is to retract 1mm of filament on the "end" script. and before printing the "primeing line" push the filament 1mm forward. I have not worked that into my script yet. I kinda don't think it's that great of an idea, but I'm just throwing that out here. 🙂
Hi, I'm Sean. I used to work on CNC machines.
I try to not make mistakes, but the decision is YOURS.
Please feel free to donate to my filament/maintance fund.
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
This start Gcode is fairly safe for PLA, however with HTPLA, PETG, ABS, PC, Nylon, etc. This start Gcode can ruin your day.
I tried with it at 150c, and a cold-blob that was already on the nozzle, actually "pressed" into the heat bed, causing VERY inaccurate first layer.
I always take care there is no blob on the nozzle. Otherwise it will ruin your print. Preferably long running ones 😀
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
I always take care there is no blob on the nozzle. Otherwise it will ruin your print. Preferably long running ones 😀
So much effort though. I seroiusly started a 26 hour print, 20 hours ago. I haven't even "looked" at my nozzle in ~60 hours of printing.
I have been changing filament every ~24 hours of printing though.
The only interaction I have with the printer is pulling the 'string" off the nozzle after a print, and after loading new filament.
Well, that and cleaning the print bed. Gotta take care of that!
I haven't lost a print in ~100 hours of printing, and I haven't watched the "startup" or "first layer" the whole time. (I am printing nearly full bed, prints, going through about 300grams of filament a day lately, and the first layer takes about 30 minutes)
I do wanna get a Microswiss nozzle, supposedly, filament sticks to it less than brass.
Hi, I'm Sean. I used to work on CNC machines.
I try to not make mistakes, but the decision is YOURS.
Please feel free to donate to my filament/maintance fund.
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
Would these start and stop codes also work with S3D? My gut instinct says yes, but I figured I would ask.
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
You would have to change the variables to S3D syntax.
Re: Finished my Mk3 kit some observations
I've discovered that the usual G28 W command for homing is causing step losses on the x-axis in combination with the IKEA LACK enclosure (the filament gets pulled sideways). My modified start and end gcodes are:
start-gcode:
M115 U3.1.3-RC1 ; tell printer latest fw version
M201 X1000 Y1000 Z200 E5000 ; sets maximum accelerations, mm/sec^2
M203 X200 Y200 Z12 E120 ; sets maximum feedrates, mm/sec
M204 S1250 T1250 ; sets acceleration (S) and retract acceleration (T)
M205 X10 Y10 Z0.4 E2.5 ; sets the jerk limits, mm/sec
M205 S0 T0 ; sets the minimum extruding and travel feed rate, mm/sec
M83 ; extruder relative mode
M104 S{first_layer_temperature[0] - 40} ; preheat extruder
M140 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; set bed temp
M190 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; wait for bed temp
G28 Z W ; home z-axis without mesh bed level
G28 X Y W ; home x and y-axis without mesh bed level
;G28 W ; home all without mesh bed level
G80 ; mesh bed leveling
M104 S[first_layer_temperature] ; set extruder temp
M109 S[first_layer_temperature] ; wait for extruder temp
G1 Y-3.0 F1000.0 ; go outside print area
G92 E0.0
;G1 X60.0 E9.0 F1000.0 ; intro line
;G1 X100.0 E12.5 F1000.0 ; intro line
G92 E0.0
M221 S{if layer_height<0.075}100{else}95{endif}
end-gcode:
G4 ; wait
M221 S100
M104 S0 ; turn off temperature
M140 S0 ; turn off heatbed
M107 ; turn off fan
G1 X145 Y200 Z210; go to end position
M84 ; disable motors
I've disabled the intro-line, because its really hard to pop off the build platform and the skirt has the same function and respects the extrusion multiplier, too.