What do I have??
OK, I picked up an MK3 something at a second-hand store but am having trouble figuring out exactly how it is configured or upgraded. It currently has firmware version 3.5.1-1778 installed and the print cooling fan is installed at an angle, so I think that makes it an MK3S but I am not sure. When booted up, the LCD screen says "Prusa i3 MK3 ready." There is also a MMU of unknown version attached and wired up, but it looks like it was never used. A short piece of filament is pushed into the MMU output fitting (to fool the filament sensor?) but this fitting is not hooked up to the extruder, so it looks like the machine was being used in a single-filament mode. And it DOES work in that mode. Stats include filament usage of 8347m and print time of 345d:18h:17m.
To further muddy the water, a "parts" box included the five original flimsy plastic spool trays (and roller bearing rods), five long PTFE tubes, the short PTFE tube to connect to the extruder, AND an opened, but unbuilt or installed "MMU2 to MMU2S" upgrade kit.
I'd like to get this all going and finish building and installing the MMU(?) in whatever best configuration I can with the parts available. I tried to find the online manual for the "MMU2 to MMU2S" upgrade kit but do not find one with that specific title and am not sure what IS (partially) installed, is an MMU2 anyway. Do I need to start by installing a new F/W, and if so, what version, since I'm not sure if 3.5.1-1778 comports to MK3 or MK3S?
HELP!
Pictures?
Cheerio,
RE: What do I have??
I would not touch the firmware (yet). You do not need a different printer firmware with or without MMU2 or with MMU2 or MMU2s - all the same. If the MMU2(s) is connected and powered on with the printer, it will be detected and used by the printer.
I'd start by trying to get the MMU that is attached and the printer working properly (at least in MMU single mode, meaning loading of filament via the MMU not bypassing it). When this is running I'd follow the MMU2s upgrade guide and consider installing a higher voltage power supply to the MMU2s (see MMU2 design flaw thread) or getting the new additional MMU3 PCB which basically does the same.
Finally you can think about upgrading the firmware of printer and MMU, but be aware that there can be problems with the new firmware published alongside MK4 and MMU3 with older machines...
For specific help, pictures might be helpful (as Diem said)
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RE: What do I have??
Thanks for your response. One thing I will need are the instructions to assemble the thin sheets that are part of the filament management system.
The booklet that was inside the upgrade kit did not address this assembly and none of the QR codes have lead me to a proper instruction. If the attached photo is not helpful, please describe what would be.
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That's your filament buffer - look for the buffer assembly. Quite a high proportion of users never used it and made other arrangements to manage the loose filament.
Cheerio,
RE: What do I have??
Which version(s) of the MMU would those have been used with?
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MMU2 and also, I think, MMMU3.
Check on: https://help.prusa3d.com/category/assembly-manuals_272
Cheerio,
RE: What do I have??
Link throws a 404 error.
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RE: What do I have??
Here are the buffer assembly instructions:
https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/7-spool-holder-and-buffer-assembly_46160
As diem said, some people don’t like the buffer and came up with different solutions. As far as I am concerned, I am happy with a slightly modified buffer and higher inner diameter PTFE tubing.
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RE: What do I have??
Thanks for fixing the link.
I attempted to load one filament in slot #1 but was not successful. Inserting the filament until it goes no further, the (local) extruder/idler will not grab it and move it any further. I did notice that while it is trying, the extruder motor is not actually turning, however, the Pulley motor IS turning. This suggested that the connectors for these two motors were swapped on the back of the MMU. But looking further in the manual, I confirmed that the extruder motor, with a band marked "E" around it's wires is indeed inserted into the socket closest to it, i.e., far right looking from the rear. Should I try swapping them anyway?
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RE: What do I have??
Difficult to follow. What failed, the filament load to MMU? Or the load to nozzle? Did you follow this instructions (skip the firmware update, there might be no MMU activation in your LCD menu depending on how old it is, in this case the MMU will be active when connected ):
https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/8-preflight-check-calibration_219068#511417
Then continue:
https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/9-first-flight_220026
if you get stuck, post a short video of your problem
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RE: What do I have??
There is no extruder motor on the MMU, you are talking about the idler motor, and your‘s looks like it‘s connected correctly. See pictures:
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RE: What do I have??
Ok, we can call it the "Idler" motor if you prefer. I have a 114mB video of the MMU at turn-on (smaller than the stated 128mB max size) but it refuses to attach here. Not sure what else to do. Is the Pulley motor responsible for pulling the filament into the MMU, because, if so, that's not happening. Where do I find the latest F/W for the MMU itself? Is there a way to read what F/W is loaded on it now?
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RE:
Well, as far as I am concerned, we can call the motor Walter, it‘s just that most components have a unique name already, calling a thing differently might get things more confusing…
Without video or a description what exactly happens when you try to do what exactly it‘s not possible to help. The MMU is a bit tricky to get running.
First thing you need to do is successfully loading filament to the MMU (that means having the MMU and the filament set up to feed the filament to the extruder next).
For this to work, the MMU should be completely empty and should have completed it‘s power up and idler homing.
Next you insert filament into your buffer (or whatever system) until just short of the backside of the MMU (not into the MMU yet). Now you select „load filament“ from the printer LCD and choose the slot you have just prepared the filament for loading in. Now the MMU should do the selector homing sequence and move the selector to your slot, then the idler should move to the position corresponding to this slot and the pulley motor should start moving. At this moment you start pushing the filament into MMU until you feel the MMU starting to continuously pull the filament in. Very shortly after that happens FINDA will detect the filament (you can hear the ball clicking) and the MMU will retract the filament a bit again to the loading position. Now your filament is loaded and the slot ready to be used. Does that work with your MMU?
“loading to nozzle“ would be the next step…
You can find the installed firmware version in the printer LCD menu support->firmware.
If you upgrade the MMU to the newest version you will need to upgrade the printer as well, it will not work otherwise. You have a firmware combo that works now, I would not change that until you get the mechanical issues solved and the basic operation running, you will just add another layer of possible problems when messing with the firmware….
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RE: What do I have??
Thanks for being patient and thorough with me. I THINK I have managed to compress the video to a size that will attach. It shows the movements of the (empty) MMU upon applying power to the printer. I am making no adjustments or button pushes while this is going on (about 35 seconds.) It initially stops at position #3, bit then continues to position #1 and all LEDs are green with NO filaments loaded. After a few minutes, the Selector motor and the Idlel motor are both warm to the touch, indicating they are under constant power. At this point, if I select "Load filament-Load filament 1", the Pulley motor begins to turn but a filament inserted into the first PTFE tube goes only so far and is not "grabbed" or loaded further by whatever is supposed to.
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RE: What do I have??
It said it was attaching but I don't see it.
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RE: What do I have??
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RE: What do I have??
Does this attach?
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RE: What do I have??
Does it have to be zipped (it's an MP4)? If so, why does it indicate it's being inserted into the post (in that format? Do I use the "Add media" button or the video icon button (under the smiley face above)?
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RE: What do I have??
Here is a video of my MMU2S powering up:
(I exported this form my iPhone as 480p mov, pressed "AddMedia" above the edit window, "Upload file", dropped it there, selected "insert into post" and it appeared as the link above, it's clickabele and plays in my browser)
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