QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?  

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

I paid for extra fast shipping, but here it is 10 days later and Wham Bam still hasn't even shipped it yet.  Nothing on their website said or says "backordered" or "out of stock."

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@dimprov

I just received another kit today.  How weird is that?

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

Posted by: @bill-marcy

@dimprov

I just received another kit today.  How weird is that?

Was yours shipped from China or the US?  For some reason mine is supposed to ship from China.  Argh.....

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@dimprov

I wonder if that is where it is manufactured?  

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

The good news is that the US operation is fairly responsive, but the bad news is that the US operation appears to have no direct insight or control over what happens in the Chinese operation, which is the entity that has my money.  When asked,  the US operation says it has no power to cancel the order or refund me--they say they can only make inquiries or requests, which so far hasn't yielded much.  At this point I'm not sure who owns whom or even whether they might be separate companies sharing the veneer of the same website.  Therefore, caveat emptor to anyone considering this.  Such a bummer!

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@dimprov

That is a bummer.  Buyer beware!

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@dimprov

Look carefully below.  They are planning a Prusa i3MK3 adapter.  Comment there was "requires a printed part".  I am intregued.  For production stuff this could be a game changer.  Less machines and less downtime.

RAH

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@rah1

What's below?  Did you forget a link?

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

Wham Bam refunded me and has changed their website to say "shipping by the end of January."  Regardless, no matter what I select for purchase, their website insists on shipping it from China.  How was Bill Marcy was able to get his multiple orders so fast?

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@dimprov

Got me.  PM me your address and I will get one of my extras out to you.  

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

Here is a review (By Thomas Sanlander, great reviewer), of the Mutant that took a close look at adapting it to Prusa and wasn't a fan boy.  See 10:15 and onward about other than Ender type printers.

Just my 2 cents.  I love the idea, as I want to go into serious production with few printers and based on Prusa's design.  I did like that there was some detail, (though not a lot), in the Chris' Basement video on Marlin GCODE changes for different tool heads and also some other mods to handle lasers etc.

RAH

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

All,

Sorry.  I should have put in the details.  It was supposed to be a reply for another post.  I am still reading through all of the great posts.  I didn't realize there were 4 pages.  🙁  That's what I get for being busy and forgetting to get on here for several months.

In the video by Talking Tech/Michael Laws mentions there will be a Prusa version of the XChange at about 3:05.

I was referring to the KickStarter text in supported printers section.  I have copied it here:

XChange was designed to be compatible with the most popular styles of 3D printers. It's natively compatible with any 3D printer using MGN12H linear rail on the X axis, and 2020 extrusion-based systems like Creality 3D printers using an optional V-slot rail adapter plate.

• Works with factory 8-bit and 32-bit motherboards.
• Natively compatible with MGN12H linear rail systems.
• Compatible with V-slot wheels and 2020 extrusion using V-slot add-on.
• Planned compatibility with Prusa i3 style machines (will require a printed adapter).
• Compatible with popular ABL using up to 5-wire probes (such as BL Touch).
• XChange is currently intended only for 24V 3D printers.
• Capable of printing high temperature filaments in enclosures.
•  Marlin 2.0.X Bugfix compatible - more firmware compatibility coming soon.

Other motion geometries can be supported with printed adapters, which are expected to be designed and released in early Q2 2021 (sooner if the community would like to contribute to this end).

The only downsides that I see for BOTH the XChange and the Mutant are patents.

RAH

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@rah1

I think it's good that there are at least two solutions vying to be the leader, as we all know that competition is healthy.  The two knocks against the xchange are 1. you can't get it delivered today and 2. the initial version presumes you have linear rails.  If all goes according to their plan, those knocks may disappear in the coming months.  I favored the mutant mainly because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.  Regarding #1, mutant's website now says that they are "sold out," so it remains to be seen now whether #1 is a real difference or whether mutant and xchange may end up shipping around the same time anyway.

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

Update:  I've noticed an emerging trend where some 3D printer manufacturers are putting all their printhead wiring in one convenient plug-in cable.  One example of that is BIQU, which appears to be using USB-C for that purpose.  USB-C can carry up to 100w (5a at 20v).  So, if you have a printer that uses an all-in-one plug-in cable like that,  it would be easy to configure a quickchange printhead using just that and a simple mechanical latch, like this one:

https://properprinting.pro/product/quick-tool-change-for-creality-cr-10/

which was designed by the youtuber whose video I referenced earlier.  It works much like a quick release camera mount, and you can print as many as you need or want after buying his file for 3 euros.  Or, not sure, maybe there's something similar on thingiverse already.

So, that would work for switching printheads on the same printer or between multiple printers from the same manufacturer, if that manufacturer has adopted a simplified cable to the printhead.

On the other hand, if you want to exchange printheads between different types of printers, then there's still a need for mutant or an xchange or something similar to serve as an interface between the different wiring schemes.  Mutant's website now says they won't be shipping their next batch until sometime in April.

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@dimprov

I have a BIQU BX on the way.  

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

Posted by: @cwbullet

@dimprov

I have a BIQU BX on the way.  

How are you liking it?  At least on paper it seems very well conceived:  not just another me-too printer but actually a nice integration of desirable upgrades.

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@dimprov

It is currently in shipment.  I think I am really going to like it.  

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

Well, somebody went there to the darkest depths of current Voron FOTM fad* ... does this count? This toolhead assembly has some potential for quickchange. It may not be as snappy and streamlined as with PitStop or other quick changing platforms, but definitely faster than default assembly.

https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/54545-afterbearner-the-prusa-bear-afterburner  

I guess FW modifications are needed, since (S)PINDA will not be on the on the right from the nozzle but rather at the back and at different offset.

This video shows how it works.

*Nothing wrong with Vorons of course, it's very cleverly designed printer. Given how popular it is right now, I am surprised we are not flooded with Switchwire conversion mods 😀 Though MK3(S+) is good as is, it would give no additional value in print quality, more for some QoL stuff.

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@crawlerin

I think you are right.  I am always concerned about custom firmware.  

RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?

@dimprov

Hi I came to this tread a little late.

"I've noticed an emerging trend where some 3D printer manufacturers are putting all their printhead wiring in one convenient plug-in cable." Wouldn't it be more convenient to split hotend and extruder etc. into two connectors? Thus making hotend only swap easy without needing to swap (and buy) a extruder for each alternate hotend.