Convert i3 MK3S+ to 2.85mm
I got a brand new pre-built i3 MK3S+ like in 2022 i think and i had to take a break from 3D projects due to my work. After i came back 3D printing speed and accuracy doubled, so i purchased 3x P1S and 4xA1 Mini.
Upgrading my i3 MK3S+ to 3.5 to get input shaping to make it faster is the same price as 2x A1 mini so its not worth it.
I instead upgraded the nozzle to 0.8mm which gave me the same print speed as my A1 mini/ P1S and the parts look great but the parts are heavier and run trough a lot of material which is okay for some heavy duty press moulds but not for all moulds and i don't remember how i did it but i had to upgrade some software/firmware stuff to be able to bed level with that new nozzle.
I mostly print PETG for moulds and functional parts and my i3 MK3S+ sits mostly disconnected in the corner because i need speed for fast design cycles.
Now i Finally got a great use case for my MK3S+ which is great because i spent like 970 EUR on it.
I found cheap copper filament in 2.85mm and i want to print BASF Ultrafuse 17-4 PH Filament in 2.85mm, those parts turn into metal parts after sintering.
Is it possible to turn my MK3S+ into a 2.85mm machine? If not i have to buy an used ultimaker for like 350-800 bucks which would suck because i have a MK3S+ laying around. Converting my MK3S+ to 2.85mm would give my prusa a new life and i would be printing with it 24/7 because i need a lot of metal parts.
Prusa if you are reading this, 2.85mm for special materials might make a comback and having a 2.85mm kit would put "old" i3 printers in the same category as ultimaker which is not a bad space to be for the old bed slinger design.