How to make use of Mosquito Magnum  

RE: How to make use of Mosquito Magnum

Maybe too late but

did you increase the maximum volumetric speed for your filament?

RE: How to make use of Mosquito Magnum

Posted by: @ron

[...] did you increase the maximum volumetric speed for your filament?

That'll definitely be a limiting factor if using stock PrusaSlicer filament profiles. Also be sure there isn't a MVS setting holding you back under print settings. In my testing, PETG is capable at flowing at much higher rates than the ~8mm^3/s in the PrusaSlicer PETG profiles. My understanding is that those are set for optimal infill quality. If you're after large, functional prints, you can definitely push PETG at much higher rates through the stock E3D V6 hotend, especially with a 0.6mm or larger nozzle.

When switching nozzle types and sizes or working with a new hotend, I like to do some quick maximum volumetric rate testing. I've got notes on the process I use here. This is sufficient to identify a maximum to be used, not necessarily one that will give an optimal finish.

In my testing, PETG is capable at flowing at much higher rates than the ~8mm^3/s in the PrusaSlicer PETG profiles. My understanding is that those are set for optimal infill quality. If you're after large, functional prints, you can definitely push PETG at much higher rates through the stock E3D V6 hotend, especially with a 0.6mm or larger nozzle.

RE: How to make use of Mosquito Magnum

I am in the same boat as you. Interested in hearing any updates! Any findings? 

Posted by: @dustinjay

Hey all,

So I've been using the MK3S (and its predecessors) for years, have four of them running nearly around the clock (all stock). But I recently picked one up locally secondhand. The unit is in great shape, barely any printing time on it. But a new thing for me is the mods that are installed on this MK3S. They include:

• Bondtech BMG-M (for MK3S & Mosquito, plus the SLS X-Carriage kit)
• Mosquito Magnum hotend
• Slice High Temp Thermistor
• 50W Heater Cartridge

All of it seems assembled very well, boron nitride paste in all the right places (and he gave me the extra). Right now, as is, it really is printing quite well, and I am happy with the quality. So this is not a 'how do I fix it' question. But rather, how do make use of the high flow Mosquito Magnum? I have read all through my searches here (including a 20-page topic), all through Reddit, even contacted Slice. I would like to see what the potential is here to print with larger nozzles, higher speeds, and use this machine for all the prints that are bigger/bulkier. Slice said just to increase the speeds. So I went to print settings/speed, and started cranking up the speeds, but my print time did not seem to improve much at all; maybe a 4 minute decrease of a 3 hour print. I've ordered a 0.6 and 0.8 nozzle, but switching that setting doesn't seem to bring print time down too much either. In my searches, I've also come across a magnum profile from Chris Warkocki for PLA with a .8 nozzle, and plan to try that out when the nozzle gets here.

So what do you think, what settings do I tweak to get the most out of this guy, and what are some good profiles that I could use as a starting point? For reference, 90%+ of my prints are PETG, so that is what I am using in most of my tests. Really appreciate the feedback!

RE: How to make use of Mosquito Magnum

As I've just got one of these to change from the E3D V6 hotend, I will watch with interest. I am having difficulty with PETG with a very fine detail print (0.2 nozzle) both with the original V6 and the Mosquito Magnum hotends, so @dustinjay and @bobstro info and site are welcome. Some of the lines are about 0.4mm wide on the plate and will print using PLA, but PETG just won't play. I'm convinced it is something to do with the flow rate as I get a build up around the nozzle which then drops and messes up the already printed bits on the plate.

Thanks. Tony

N.B. Just for info, I attach the last gcode file of the item that is bugging me!

RE: How to make use of Mosquito Magnum

I think we might be making it a little bit complicated regarding setting the print values and adjustments.

I found out that Bondtech firmware is based on Prusa's. The only thing they had to accommodate/change was the 3:1 gear ratio.

Maybe using the PrusaSlicer print's values is the way to go. Then you change and adjust on the go!  

P.S. make sure you follow Bondtech firmware installation instructions. In the last step, you must set the Prusa printer to the factory reset (Chose reset for All Data).

RE: How to make use of Mosquito Magnum

Posted by: @samr

...

I found out that Bondtech firmware is based on Prusa's. The only thing they had to accommodate/change was the 3:1 gear ratio.

..

I can't say for Bondtech Mosquito Magnum hotend, but for Bondtech standard E3D V6 hotend, there are more changes in custom firmware (not only for E-steps). And I'm quite sure that's the case for Mosquito too.
Here are changes that I've found for Bondtech E3D V6 extruder:

PRUSA original settings				BONDTECH settings

// Printer name
#define CUSTOM_MENDEL_NAME "Prusa i3 MK3S"	#define CUSTOM_MENDEL_NAME "Bondtech MK3S"

// Steps per unit {X,Y,Z,E}
#define DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT		#define DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT
	{100,100,3200/8,280}				{100,100,3200/8,415}

// TMC2130 default settings
#define TMC2130_USTEPS_E    32			#define TMC2130_USTEPS_E    16

// Extruder cooling fans
#define EXTRUDER_ALTFAN_SPEED_SILENT 128	#define EXTRUDER_ALTFAN_SPEED_SILENT 255

// Load filament commands
#define LOAD_FILAMENT_1 "G1 E70 F400"		#define LOAD_FILAMENT_1 "G1 E80 F400"

// Unload filament commands
#define UNLOAD_FILAMENT_1 "G1 E-80 F7000"	#define UNLOAD_FILAMENT_1 "G1 E-95 F7000"

// Filament change configuration
#define FILAMENTCHANGE_FINALRETRACT -80		#define FILAMENTCHANGE_FINALRETRACT -95
#define FILAMENTCHANGE_FIRSTFEED 70		#define FILAMENTCHANGE_FIRSTFEED 80

RE: How to make use of Mosquito Magnum

Unfortunately, no, or at least not the kind of updates that are helpful. I have quite a few other MK3S printers running, and for me, I only tinker with the machines when necessary. So the bad news: I reverted it back to stock. Stock just runs like a champ, and I don't have to worry about a different firmware. 

RE: How to make use of Mosquito Magnum

Posted by: @samr

I found out that Bondtech firmware is based on Prusa's. The only thing they had to accommodate/change was the 3:1 gear ratio.

Thanks for the input but perhaps I should have mentioned that I am using the Prusa supplied Mk3S+ extruder stepper and Bondtech gears in conjunction with  a printed PETG 'body' from Thingiverse. I am not using a complete Bondtech extruder mechanism. Thus I do not have to use a different firmware. I have tried the Prusa Slicer defaults for Ultradetail 0.05, Extrudr and Generic PETG filament and Mk3S+ 0.25 nozzle. I have tinkered with these settings (e.g. reducing the nozzle size to 0.2) but I can't quite get it right! I have adjusted the Z level a bit higher than for PLA as suggested by others. I guess I will just have to either a) keep tinkering with settings, or b) give up and join a monastary! 🙂

Ta muchly anyway, Tony