Replacing The controller of 3D printer  

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

Posted by: @akkhan3639

Hello all i want to replace the 8 bit controller of Prusa 3d printer to 32 bit.I have heard that it increases the speed .can anyone tell me how could i change my controller.Which one is the best .And how to configure the new one?

I suggest whoever you heard it from might be a better place to ask how it is done.  

All the discussions here say it doesn't work or requires an in-depth knowledge of software such that you can modify and recompile the firmware source to convert all the data structures and such.

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

also, you can't print gcode any faster than your printer can move. So it won't magically make your prints faster, even if the processor in the board itself is.

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

@vintagepc

Thanks so you think that there is no advantage of Replacing the 8 bit controller with 32 bit.

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

on it's own, a 32 bit processor will not make a massive difference in normal printing, however if you want to do really detailed models with a tiny nozzle and a set of geared motors to give better control of small movements and small movements of filament, then a 32 bit controller may help. however if your 32 bit controller has less capable stepper motor controllers than the TMC2130 then you may worsen the printing quality...

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

Posted by: @akkhan3639

@vintagepc

Thanks so you think that there is no advantage of Replacing the 8 bit controller with 32 bit.

Not really on a stock Mk3/S. As Joan points out, it would require significant changes elsewhere to take real advantage of it. And at that point you're probably better off finding a printer that has already been engineered around those changes and core controller.  🙂

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

I agree that a simple controller swap won't help much on its own.

@akkhan3639 If you want to experiment on a low budget take a look at Klipper.

@vintagepc

I disagree. Changes required are not significant and quite doable. A stepper motor swap should be possible for anyone who assembled a kit. A nozzle, extruder and hotend swap also. Neither our motors, nor the moved mass are currently the most limiting factor. First limit you usually hit is volumetric speed - your extruder and hotend won't keep up so you cannot even reach the point where your motors become the limiting factor (speedwise).

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

Posted by: @christoph-e5

I agree that a simple controller swap won't help much on its own.

@akkhan3639 If you want to experiment on a low budget take a look at Klipper.

@vintagepc

I disagree. Changes required are not significant and quite doable. A stepper motor swap should be possible for anyone who assembled a kit. A nozzle, extruder and hotend swap also. Neither our motors, nor the moved mass are currently the most limiting factor. First limit you usually hit is volumetric speed - your extruder and hotend won't keep up so you cannot even reach the point where your motors become the limiting factor (speedwise).

If one is willing to invest in the additional changes, by all means, go for it, but you then no longer meet the qualifier of "stock mk3/s" in my post. And really, it also boils down to what you consider acceptable print quality. The i3 design of the printer has inherent speed limitations if one wants to minimize ringing and other speed-related print quality artifacts, and to get around those you will need to alter the core printer design to gain any more print speed.

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

Also bear in mind with the Y axis moving faster, the taller your print is, the more it's going to get flung about.

I've just got this vision of something printed in Ninjaflex, 20cm tall moving backwards and forwards at over 200mm/s

It would look like this (Except for the end bit):

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

Posted by: @chocki

Also bear in mind with the Y axis moving faster, the taller your print is, the more it's going to get flung about.

I've just got this vision of something printed in Ninjaflex, 20cm tall moving backwards and forwards at over 200mm/s

It would look like this (Except for the end bit):

Yes, that's one of the things I meant (and why I wouldn't want a 400x400 in the current i3 design). Just think of the engineering in terms of Y axis mass, stepper torque/power...

You'd need to go to something with a movable Z platform or rising X-Y rail system instead, since it doesn't matter if that can only move Z relatively slowly and any ringing/inertia effects are going to be inconsequential if the design is reasonable (i.e. not a shoddy cantilever).

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

Posted by: @christoph-e5

@vintagepc

I disagree. Changes required are not significant and quite doable. A stepper motor swap should be possible for anyone who assembled a kit. A nozzle, extruder and hotend swap also. Neither our motors, nor the moved mass are currently the most limiting factor. First limit you usually hit is volumetric speed - your extruder and hotend won't keep up so you cannot even reach the point where your motors become the limiting factor (speedwise).

Let's see: the major components of a MK3 are:

1: Controller: swap needed

2: stepper motors: swap needed

3. hot end: swap needed

4: frame and rails (for increased speed and stability): swap needed

5: power supply (for increased power demands of new motors and controller): swap needed

... what else am I forgetting?

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

I think you forgot some printed parts to round it up 

RE: Replacing The controller of 3D printer

I'm pretty sure the metallic frame can stay the same ...

@akkhan3639

Back to topic. Change from 8bit to 32bit is most likely unavoidable in the future. Right now you will get no significant improvements if you just change your board on the MK3