QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
Anyone know if there exists a quickchange mod, similar to what the lulzbot, voron, or E3D automatic tool changer has, that would allow for a quick change/swap of a Prusa i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
Possible uses:
1. say your printhead gets jammed/clogged (or maybe even engulfed by blob of death). No Problem: swap in another printhead and keep printing. You can sort out the clog in parallel without losing time.
Or, 2. Quickly swap out an entire print head instead of switching nozzles when you want to go from a supervolcano high flow to, say, 0.1mm nozzle high precision printing. There's no such small nozzle for a volcano, let alone a super volcano.
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
try searching Pit Stop, this is a hot end assembly held together by Magnets
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
PitStop makes it easy. It's also an easy print.
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
@joantabb
Awesome find. I am building one now.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
@joantabb
Awesome find. I am building one now.
What is the key link for PitStop? I've found scattered references for it, but I haven't yet found the motherload, and so I still don't know exactly what it is.
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
Aha. Maybe this is it? https://mihaidesigns.com/pitstop
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
@dimprov
It is!
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
OK, I looked through the PitStop material, and while it does take an interesting approach, it's objective seems to be quickly opening up the printhead to do servicing rather than quickly swapping out the printhead for a different printhead.
For instance, consider this video starting at timestamp 15:23:
or else possibly something like this:
which is perhaps even better.
Just as you can have a tripod mount screwed into your camera that let's you quickly connect/disconnect your camera from a tripod, the idea is to have something similar with a printhead, including a plug or something to quickly connect/disconnect the wiring.
Anything like that exist for the Prusa i3 MK3?
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
@dimprov
Not that I have seen!...
E3D offer heaters and thermistors with plug and socket leads, but they tend to get in the way on a prusa... because they try to exist in the same space as the X carriage...
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
It looks as though this kid did manage to do it:
although it's a very minimalist solution and, I presume , only works for the MK3, since it pre-dates the MK3S/+. The good news is that, compared to the PitStop, it looks like a much easier mod.
That said, there's nothing to keep one from somehow combiniing this type of solution with a PitStop, and then maybe you'd have the best of both worlds.
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
that was an odd printer the kid was using. it appeared to have a pressure roller in the extruder like the Mk2 but also a 3mm hotend like the mk1
but that originally had a Wade extruder (Geared Extruder (First time round) lol)
I expect that the idea could be used for the Mk3, Mk3S andMk3S Printers.
Personally I would not put a joint in the Flexing part of the cable bundle.
Clustering the connections into three groups is probably the secret to easy removal, but I would probable put the sockets on the back of the Einsy case with three separate sheaths. for the three cable bundles, and a cable strain relief between the plugs on the Einsy and the section of cable that flexes when the extruder moves.
and I would use different connectors, so the cable bundles cannot be incorrectly installed.
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
@joantabb
It is interesting. I thought about it prior to doing this to my ender. I used a Titan Aero instead of V6.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
Though far from perfect, Artillery has done a nice job of cable management with the Sidewinder printer. The ribbon cables have been a source of problems for some, and they definitely should use something of heavier gauge, but I have to say it is a pleasure to work on. Remove 3 screws and a single ribbon cable and the entire extruder and hotend assembly pops off. I'd be very interested to see what a properly engineered equivalent would look like for the Mk3. I'd expect heavier cables and more robust connectors, but the basic approach is worth considering.
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
New Kickstarter, looks interesting.
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
@bill-marcy
That is interesting but a slight premium price. It is a niche market.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
@bill-marcy
That is interesting but a slight premium price. It is a niche market.
Might be expensive, but it exactly fills what @dimprov was asking for.
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
New Kickstarter, looks interesting.
Thanks for posting that. Both topical and timely! It captures the essence of what I want, but it strikes me as only a partial solution because it says:
"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."
i.e., it does not appear to be plug-and-play for Prusa printers. Would maybe modding a Prusa to use an MGN12H linear rail for its X-axis be sufficient? Is there a mod kit which offers that? I do wonder if it might also need a custom adapter to mount the remainder of the Prusa printhead to it. Maybe just a drilling template would suffice to bolt the Prusa printhead to the front adapter plate?
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
How much money have you guys got (and can I have some). Would anybody spend considerably more on a quick change than on the printer?
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
As an aside, 3d printing is the least expensive hobby I have had for a very long time. @dimprov did not ask for the cheapest solution, he asked for a solution. Some have been proffered.
It's all good.
RE: QuickChange mod for i3 MK3/S/+ printhead?
Would anybody spend considerably more on a quick change than on the printer?
Huh? Where did that come from? From my speed-read: they're asking $150 for a quickchange that can support 3 different printheads (1 base plate plus 3 adapter plates). My prusa cost $750.