Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair  

Re: Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair

I've tried using the Pi0W via the GPIO and it's massively underpowered to run octoprint smoothly. Everything went slow as hell and it responded very slowly if at all. In the end I removed it and went with a regular 3B+.
There's a pretty nice case on thingiverse that allows you to mount the Pi to the frame above the electronics. I'm running with 2 of those (MK3S and MK2.5S/MMU2S)

Btw, the regular Pi camera works on the 0 but you'll need to purchase a conversion piece, the 0 has a smaller connection.

Re: Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair

Connect your RPI 3B+ to the USB port of the printer and you will be set. No need to buy a RPI Zero W.

Since you have the hardware, I would install Octoprint and get the camera working while you are waiting for your printer to arrive.

Re: Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair

So if use USB to connect Pi 3b+ to the MK3S I am guessing you don't turn on the RPi thing on the printer?

Re: Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair

I would buy a raspberry pi and practive meditation. Your first day is a challenege and I recommend practicing relaxtion.

Re: Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair

Before going crazy with fixing things that aren't broken (like adding extra layers to the printing process that will drive you nuts). Build the printer. Use the SD card to confirm you are getting great prints the printer will do. Learn the tools, Slic3r PE, the firmware options, and the adjustment / calibration tricks.

Once you are comfortable using the printer, then expand your system for your other needs. Only then will you know whether the problem you are confronting is printer, or mod. It's sad to see people blaming Prusa when it's a user mod that broke the system.

Re: Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair

I would echo what tim.m30 has said - get used to running the machine via SD card and once happy, then introduce Octoprint. About 2 years ago, before I had my MK3, I had a Velleman Vertex K8400 - using an 8 bit CPU board and Marlin firmware. (Prusa use the same series 8 bit CPU as the K8400 and a fork of Marlin) and Octoprint was driving the K8400. I was getting zits and stuttering galore. Ended up chasing printer settings for weeks before I tried an SD card print of the same G_Code. It was night and day!

There is a fundamental bottleneck when using USB or direct UART connection between a Pi and most 8-bit printers, especially when there are hundreds of segments of g-code describing curved shapes. Put simply, the inbuilt SD card can handle a higher print speed than the USB connection. The Pi zero only makes matters worse, so most recommend a Pi3B.

That said, your mileage may vary, and Octoprint is improving all the time.

I happen to have a Pi3 mounted to the printer (mostly for camera streaming purposes) and found a handy short USB cable on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071YJ7LWB

It makes it a much neater arrangement.

Re: Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair

3B+ x 1000. Avoid the zero at all cost.

Re: Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair

My personal favorite idea for mounting a pi3 to the Prusa:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2989609

RE: Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair

Printer should be here tomorrow!

RE: Just purchased MK3S last night and want to prepair

I have had mine for a month and I've enjoyed it even more than I thought I would.  If you aren't familiar with 3D CAD take some time to learn it as that will unleash the real power of your creativity.  There are many great training videos on Youtube for 3D CAD.  and  just about everything 3D printing wise.  Some of my 3D printing favorites are Thomas Sanladerer, Makers Muse, and 3D Printing Nerd.  But since you have found PRUSA you probably already know about these guys.  If you use Fusion 360 I recommend Lars Christensen on youtube for excellent instruction videos.  Enjoy!