Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
So I'd heard nothing but good things about the Prusa MKS3+, how it was the best consumer grade 3d printer on the market and how everything 'just worked'.
I'd been doing some prints using an Anycubic Mega Pro. I thought it did a pretty great job for the price (about 1/10 of what it costs me for the Prusa) it had some issues with bed warping and adhesion, not to mention some build issues around wire straining etc.
So I made the jump to the MKS3+, and got a factory assembled, and was excited to do a first print with the model I'd been attempting to print on my Anycubic, which was a large case.
When the print finished, I was shocked to see how bad the print quality came out compared to the Anycubic. Adhesion and first layer looked fine, but there were so many artefacts in the print. (Examples here https://imgur.com/a/QqB3g02).
Initially I thought it was a problem with my machine, and spent a lot of time with Prusa support and the reseller who I got it from in my country (who have been very good) to help diagnose it but nothing helped.
Eventually I came across the infamous issue 602 - https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware/issues/602 . Which describes it as 'inconsistent extrusion'.
This described the exact problem I was having. But that was back in 2018 and seems like it still hasn't really been resolved. Seems something to do with the dual gear extrusion but was never fully resolved by Prusa.
I love everything about this printer, except for the print quality of this aspect, but it's such a significant one that I really don't like looking at the prints it produces.
So TLDR; I've discovered the print quality of the MKS3+ is not good. Is it worth somehow trying to persist with this printer and finding ways to make the print quality better ? Or am I wasting my time and should I return it and find a better solution for what I'm wanting to do ?
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
Hello and welcome,
there is a youtube video by MihaiDesigns where he explains his findings which might give you some insights.
I could not open your example on imgur so I can not see the extent of the artifacts you observed.
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
I have multiple MK3S and Mini printers and have had none of the issues you describe. I cannot see your images. I would recommend asking for assistance on the forum one problem at a time and letting us work with you or contacting support via Chat. You paid for it. I own both Anycubic and Prusa Printers and the Prusa is by far superior, but they are different so you have to get past the learning curve.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
I could not open your example on imgur so I can not see the extent of the artifacts you observed.
My apologies, looks like the link included in the original post included some of the punctuation.
The pictures are here:
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
To answer your question: definitely yes!
What you show in your images is way below par for a Prusa printer.
It looks like you have to main issues: stringing and some degree of wobbly layer shifting or inconsistent extrusions.
From what you wrote it seems that you've already done a lot of "fixing", so it is near impossible to give you a few quick fix suggestions. The only suggestion I can make at this point is that you do a chronological write up of what you tried and what you hoped to fix with it and what actually happened.
There have been quite a few debates lately with people who showed up here having done all the latest mods and fixes for things that never were a problem and are now unhappy with the results. Have you ever heard the german term "Verschlimmbessern"? It literally means worse-bettering and describes the well meaning attempt to improve a system that actually never needed improvement and ends up in a mess that is almost impossible to fix 😉
But don't despair, your printer can do amazing things, just have a look around the Hall of Fame.
Cheers
Hansjoerg
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
Remember, you never asked for help with fixing the problem. You asked if you should send it back. That was your question. If you can't be arsed to fix the problem, then get rid of it. I will guarantee you EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US HERE has had to work out a frustrating problem with a printer at one time or another. Or like me, many little frustrations along the way. They always got fixed with help here and patience. In most of my cases I didn't even need to ask a question here, the answer was already on the forum.
So just evaluate your answer based on your desire and patience because surely the printer will produce stellar prints if you decide to set it up right. There are so many easy ways to nail down a problem. But I think if you want help, you're going to need to ask for it. I will give you a hint if I may, you seem to have bed adhesion problems. If you look at your second picture down, the cal cube, you can clearly see the lifting on the bottom in the corners with raised rounded corners (the top corners are pristine and sharp). Some of the other pics seem to show this too. This is more pronounced on the left-hand side than the right, but the right has it too. Before you send the printer back you might want to take a peek at that since even small lifting can affect finish quality dramatically. I know, that wasn't what you asked, so yeah go ahead and send it back.
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
From what you wrote it seems that you've already done a lot of "fixing", so it is near impossible to give you a few quick fix suggestions. The only suggestion I can make at this point is that you do a chronological write up of what you tried and what you hoped to fix with it and what actually happened.
So the printer was a Prusa factory assembled printer. Most of what I've done has been more 'diagnostics' than 'fixes' when talking to Prusa support. Though ultimately Prusa support said the print was of 'adequate quality'
The main change I made was looking at this video and doing the extruded idle adjustment check. Though didnt make any impact to quality.
Remember, you never asked for help with fixing the problem. You asked if you should send it back.
I was asking if I was going to be able to achieve the quality I was after basically. No point in trying to chase an issue that can't be resolved. I would have assumed it could be fixed, but after seeing the GitHub issue page and the blog post by Joseph I wasn't sure if that issue 602 was a good as it got for now. Of course the filament I'm wanting using (matte) might be amplifying things there.
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
But don't despair, your printer can do amazing things, just have a look around the Hall of Fame.
That's the thing I guess, I see the same issue exhibited in a number of prints in there too.
Some people say their Prusa's dont have the 602 issue, but there also tends to never be any photos proving it.
I guess all I'd love to see is a test box (I've been testing with a 75x25x40mm box) or a xyz calibration cube that shows fairly consistent extrusion , especially when lit from the top.
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
Nail down the first layer, using a 0.4 mm nozzle the printed square should not demonstrate any ridges.
Use 7 x 7 bed leveling
Get your filament dialed in temperature as well as flow.
Reduce vibrations.
Check belt tension.
Just my thoughts, good luck!
Stay safe and healthy, Phil
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
Yes, they're all reasonable things to try , and I've gone through them. My issue is there seems to be some collective denial about this 602 issue in parts of the community. The suggestion is just with a bit of tweaking and effort that you'll achieve 'perfect prints' but I've yet to see evidence of this.
Obviously there are some builds that aren't setup properly and will exhibit issues, but on the flip side I've yet to see any photos of a print from a MK3S+ with consistent layer lines. Yes you can minimise the effect with different filaments and lighting angles, but no where for instance have I seen a print of a solid wall in say white PLA matte come out as nicely as what the mini+ might produce (which doesn't have this problem).
Even the printed parts on the MK3S+ show this issue, so unless Prusa themselves aren't calibrating printers correctly then to imply it's a user error I think is a bit disingenuous.
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
I've never had the effects described as the '602 issue' ever.
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
Sorry but that's quite a blurry photo with very little detail showing mostly the top layers.
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
Well excuuuuuuuse me!
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
Ok I give up..
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
Too bad. Looks like it works for everyone else. I would ask to return it or sell it on ebay.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE:
Too bad. Looks like it works for everyone else. I would ask to return it or sell it on ebay.
Yeah, that's fair, I do think I have a different view on the definition of 'works' compared to a few others in here. I've taken your advice and have now returned it. Fingers crossed for the XL version and that it finally solves / avoids this issue.
RE:
I´m sure the INFAMOUS ISSUE 602 (from the dark ages of 2018), having been hidden from apparently anyone else for years by evil forces denying us wisdom will come back to haunt all of our printers for all time to come. Harr! Harr! 😉
Just kidding. Hope you find a printer that suits your needs.
I try to give answers to the best of my ability, but I am not a 3D printing pro by any means, and anything you do you do at your own risk. BTW: I have no food for…
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
That is funny. I am not sure of the 602 issues but none of my printers have this issue.
I´m sure the INFAMOUS ISSUE 602 (from the dark ages of 2018), having been hidden from apparently anyone else for years by evil forces denying us wisdom will come back to haunt all of our printers for all time to come. Harr! Harr! 😉
Just kidding. Hope you find a printer that suits your needs.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Should I persist with the MKS3+ ?
Amusing as this thread is, I find it a great study of several sociological phenomena 😊 Almost a textbook example to learn about forming of conspiracy theories, confirmation bias, etc. from. Complete with the guy angrily dismissing any and all proofs that there, in fact, isn't any "602Gate", throwing his toys out of the pram and leaving. Fascinating.
Someone remind me please how we do our secret handshake here... So glad to be around here despite my print layers being so f-ed-up and wobbly.