Dual Extruder instead of MMU2S?
Hi there,
I am owning a Prusa i3MK3S since about 6 month and it works really good! if needed, I would buy again!
later on I installed the MMU2S upgrade, but with this product I am quite disappointed!
reasons:
- really hard to find good adjustments in order to have reliable material exchange
- wasting of time when printing in multicolor mode (long lasting changing of material nearby at each printed layer)
- wasting of material because of the wipe tower
- material exchange not 100% reliable
- MMU intended for multi colour print, not multi material print
I spent really a lot of time to make the material exchange more reliable. But when printing for several hours with multi material, MMU failure will happen a few times and needs manual operation. Seriously, I cannot sit the whole night nearby my printer to solve MMU failures!
My prints are mostly technical, so actually I do not need different colours. But I would want to print multi materials, either soluble or flexible filament as second material.
In my opinion, a dual extruder would be the better choice for this requirement!
So my final question is:
Is it planned to offer a dual extruder extension for the i3MK3S instead of MMU?
Hopefully yes! I do not want to sell my printer in order to buy dual extruder from other manufacturer
RE: Dual Extruder instead of MMU2S?
Simple answer: No.
RE: Dual Extruder instead of MMU2S?
In my opinion, a dual extruder would be the better choice for this requirement!
Owning/using MMU2, I agree. Multi material does work with MMU2 but it's by far not easy way to go.
Good dual extruder printer are expensive. So the only question is, do you have a budget for that? If yes then go for BCN3D or UM3. I remember seeing solutions where the second extruder lifts if not used which is also pretty nice. Check also the disadvantages of dual extruder before going that route. Not everything is green on the other side.
Edit: Tool changer solutions are also coming 2020. Maybe that route?
Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram
RE: Dual Extruder instead of MMU2S?
Owning/using MMU2, I agree. Multi material does work with MMU2 but it's by far not easy way to go.
Good dual extruder printer are expensive. So the only question is, do you have a budget for that? If yes then go for BCN3D or UM3. I remember seeing solutions where the second extruder lifts if not used which is also pretty nice. Check also the disadvantages of dual extruder before going that route. Not everything is green on the other side.
Edit: Tool changer solutions are also coming 2020. Maybe that route?
many thanks for your answer! BCN3D looks really nice. yes, I would have the budget. even Prusa was not really cheap, compared to china printers! Could you explain please the "Tool changer-solution"? maybe it's interesting for me!
What I know already in general: because I am planning to print with flexible filament as well ( TPE), I should use a "direct drive" printer.
It's not urgent for me, but somewhen next year I would be a new one....or, I will develop my own dual extruder extension for my PRUSA. 😀
RE: Dual Extruder instead of MMU2S?
Could you explain please the "Tool changer-solution"? maybe it's interesting for me!
RE: Dual Extruder instead of MMU2S?
oh...this is cool! much faster than MMU! I am afraid a bit about precision! after each tool change the tool must fit very exactly!