Re: Questions: No. of Extruders, MMU, Einsy upgrades
But I'm also convinced that with multi extruder there's lots of cool stuff to do (of which I have idea yet, since I usually only know it once I've handled it).
If what you really want is to experiment with multi-extruders (and not just MMU), why not just buy a Flashforge Creator Pro? It's a mature design, and $900 from Amazon fully assembled.
Until now I never even considered that - I couldn't say why.
Something is keeping me from looking at these printers - is it the boxy design? The idea that they're all closed source (no idea if they are, and even if - I'm not really likely to tinker around, though I like having the option...).
Anyhow, I'm going to take a closer look, thanks.
Re: Questions: No. of Extruders, MMU, Einsy upgrades
But I'm also convinced that with multi extruder there's lots of cool stuff to do (of which I have idea yet, since I usually only know it once I've handled it).
If what you really want is to experiment with multi-extruders (and not just MMU), why not just buy a Flashforge Creator Pro? It's a mature design, and $900 from Amazon fully assembled.
It's not IDEX is it? Just the usual twin head printer. That's not a solution, even though you could upgrade it via Duet wifi and get a decent system, going further to a proper IDEX system would still be a lot work.
Re: Questions: No. of Extruders, MMU, Einsy upgrades
If what you really want is to experiment with multi-extruders (and not just MMU), why not just buy a Flashforge Creator Pro? It's a mature design, and $900 from Amazon fully assembled.
It's not IDEX is it? Just the usual twin head printer. That's not a solution, even though you could upgrade it via Duet wifi and get a decent system, going further to a proper IDEX system would still be a lot work.
You may be waiting a few more years if you want a mature, inexpensive IDEX printer. It's my impression that IDEX is still in the realm of pro-level printers, not hobbyist stuff.
Re: Questions: No. of Extruders, MMU, Einsy upgrades
You may be waiting a few more years if you want a mature, inexpensive IDEX printer. It's my impression that IDEX is still in the realm of pro-level printers, not hobbyist stuff.
I guess 'mature and inexpensive' are somewhat subjective terms, but the Formbot T-Rex 2+ is IDEX, and it starts at $1599. (Not much more than the MK3 plus the MMU.) Although I think you have to add a couple hundred to get a heated bed. No personal experience with it though (or any other printers of gMax origins).
Re: Questions: No. of Extruders, MMU, Einsy upgrades
I guess 'mature and inexpensive' are somewhat subjective terms, but the Formbot T-Rex 2+ is IDEX, and it starts at $1599. (Not much more than the MK3 plus the MMU.) Although I think you have to add a couple hundred to get a heated bed. No personal experience with it though (or any other printers of gMax origins).
https://www.3dprintersbay.com/formbot-trex-3d-printer
Hadn't seen the Formbot before. Curious to know how well it works.
Re: Questions: No. of Extruders, MMU, Einsy upgrades
Hadn't seen the Formbot before. Curious to know how well it works.
I'm curious as well. Seems to get some good reviews. One thing that gives me pause is the bed. After experiencing the convenience of the MK3's detachable coated bed plate, going to a non-coated non-detachable bed seems like a huge downgrade.
Re: Questions: No. of Extruders, MMU, Einsy upgrades
Hadn't seen the Formbot before. Curious to know how well it works.
I'm curious as well. Seems to get some good reviews. One thing that gives me pause is the bed. After experiencing the convenience of the MK3's detachable coated bed plate, going to a non-coated non-detachable bed seems like a huge downgrade.
If need a detachable bed plate on another printer (other than the MK3), BuildTak has one. I have been using it on my Hictop Mk2 clone for almost 2 years. I even put a PEI sheet on top of their sheet to get that "smooth" bottom finish. Here's a link:
https://www.buildtak.com/product/buildtak-flexplate-system/
Re: Questions: No. of Extruders, MMU, Einsy upgrades
You may be waiting a few more years if you want a mature, inexpensive IDEX printer. It's my impression that IDEX is still in the realm of pro-level printers, not hobbyist stuff.
I guess 'mature and inexpensive' are somewhat subjective terms, but the Formbot T-Rex 2+ is IDEX, and it starts at $1599. (Not much more than the MK3 plus the MMU.) Although I think you have to add a couple hundred to get a heated bed. No personal experience with it though (or any other printers of gMax origins).
https://www.3dprintersbay.com/formbot-trex-3d-printer
Yes, I've seen that. The closed facebook group is decidedly mixed - there are a lot of issues. TBF, Formbot do try and address some of them, but there a few unhappy users who have ended trying to sell theirs.
Yes, sadly I think decent, open-source and inexpensive IDEX printing is some way, even if you build your own.
Re: Questions: No. of Extruders, MMU, Einsy upgrades
I thought I would post one point which hasn't been mentioned here as of yet. I recently received a MMU for the MK2S . Literally 2 weeks ago, and it has been working well. I have prints that have run for 24 hours or more successfully. Perhaps they have gotten many of the kinks worked out already. I am using the latest MK2+MMU firmware with linear advance enabled (v3.1.0). I have not printed from Octoprint with it at this point as I know to expect issues currently, but sd card is fine for now. The new point I wanted to make is that the design of the Prusa MMU should not cause any more overhead than a single extruder MK2/3. It literally just switches tools and is only controlling one extruder at a time through the superswitch. This is based on my observation, and review of the gcode which I have created. Perhaps I am missing something, but I think the logic is sound.
I am optimistic that the team will resolve the performance issues when using RPI and all the features enabled (MK3). My MK2S +MMU has been actually more reliable than my MK3 to date, but I think I have the issues worked out with it and again simply print from sdcard and have downgraded to the firmware using linear advance. Just thought I would say that it is not all miserable when talking about the MMU . I have many wonderful prints which argue otherwise.
One more thing to mention is that as long as your materials allow for the same temperature range (hotend and build plate), you should not have issues using them. I have PLA, ABS,PETG, and TPU etc that could all be intermingled if the build is considered thoughtfully. Each material's speed can be controlled via max volumetric speed available in the latest slic3r in the drivers package.
Sorry for the rant, however I did want to convey that it is not all doom and gloom. Some of us are happy with our MMU units. I suspect they will withhold the MK3 MMU upgrade until they work our the MK3 issues.