Is the MMU2S still troublesome even when paired with the i3MK3S+
 
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Is the MMU2S still troublesome even when paired with the i3MK3S+  

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prusanewuser
(@prusanewuser)
Prominent Member
Is the MMU2S still troublesome even when paired with the i3MK3S+

What are some of the common issues? How much time is expected for troubleshooting before being able to get it working on the i3MK3S+?

Posted : 23/04/2021 12:46 pm
cybor462
(@cybor462)
Active Member
RE: Is the MMU2S still troublesome even when paired with the i3MK3S+

I have been 3d printing for 6+ years. I have a number of printers. I just got my first Prusa a few months ago. I then ordered the mmu2s right after. I only had it running for a week now. I had a few issues getting it going. My big issue was the buffer. I dont have a ton of room so that was not looking good. It was also a chore to load if you are old with dexterity and nerve issues in your hands as I have.
I hunted for something better and after making a few of the auto rewind spool holders I found the gravity type. I printed up 5 of those and tested with a couple colors. I had a few problems mainly because there are a few places that are tight that are real touchy and will cause jams.
The loading tubes are real fussy at the bearing end of the unit and if they get the least little string in it can cause issues.
All the obvious reasons like being sure the sensors are adjusted correctly, and your ptfe tubes in the rear feed area are not pinched. Then you have to be sure there are no other restrictions in the miles of ptfe tubes to your holders.
I am in Florida and the humidity will kill PLA. My next chore is to build a dry box as the filament will be exposed for many hours if not days as you print. If your filament is the least bit wet (brittle) it will surely break in one of the many bends and twists in the system.
I am actually printing a 3 color object now run time of 29 hrs. I have been drying my spools between use until I get a box made.
I am on the fence right now with it because its a tinkerers playground and if you need it to deliver, wasting time tinkering is not good. It has been running for 14 hours now with only minimal color changes and so far it has not had an issue. No error or load problems. I tried a 5 color print first and it was error city. Some of that caused by me not being familiar with it and some caused by filament issues and some caused by an overly complicated accessory that maybe needs more work and testing.
I do love the idea and I have my fingers crossed in hopes it will be consistent. I hope to try another 5 color print after I get a successful 3 color. If things go as they have been I may have that this time.
I am sure everybodys skill set is different and the ability to work thru issues is a plus. 
Just as the printer the parts are top notch and it was a breeze to build. I guess I have built too many Chinese 3d printers so the quality that Prusa employs was a shock to my system.
I will never be able to go back to a Chinese printer again if I need to add another printer.
I hope this helps.

Posted : 23/04/2021 3:33 pm
prusanewuser
(@prusanewuser)
Prominent Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Is the MMU2S still troublesome even when paired with the i3MK3S+

@cybor462

Thanks for your experience. Are you using i3MK3S+? 

29 hours sounds is a lot to me. I cannot run the printer in my small bedroom for over 15 hours. 

Another concern is that my printer is inside an enclosure. I need to feed filaments to the printer through the enclosure. Am I correct that this could be another trouble? It seems that regardless of MMU2S or Palette, the ideal setting is for the  filaments to be able to move freely and have the spool holders leveled with the printer.

Posted : 23/04/2021 3:44 pm
ssill2
(@ssill2)
Noble Member
RE: Is the MMU2S still troublesome even when paired with the i3MK3S+

You will still have issues without mods to the MMU itself and possibly the tubing.   Even when you do get it "working" it's sometimes hit or miss.  It comes with learning how the thing behaves.

I think with the design it's never going to be as reliable as a stock MK3S+   Most all of the issues I've seen are on tool changes.  The firmware is buggy.  Thankfully I have a second MK3S+ for single material prints.  And if you print at all with TPU,  for get using the MMU for it lol  at least as a multi-material print.  If you watch how the MMU works(when it does) you'd see that flexible filament would be a disaster in the MMU.  Flexible is finicky enough(speed, idler screw tension, etc) on a stock MK3* printer, adding long lengths of bowden tubes and then yanking the filament out of the extruder repeatedly seems unreliable at the very best.

Both of my printers are in an enclosure and yes, that makes the MMU a bit of a hassle.   In my case filaments 1,3,5 are up top and 2,4 are below.  This means the stock buffer won't really work for me.

 

Posted : 25/04/2021 3:02 pm
prusanewuser
(@prusanewuser)
Prominent Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Is the MMU2S still troublesome even when paired with the i3MK3S+

So just getting a MK3S to MK3S+ upgrade kit does not automatically make all the issues other users have been complaining about the MMU2S gone?

 

Posted : 27/04/2021 10:02 pm
ssill2
(@ssill2)
Noble Member
RE: Is the MMU2S still troublesome even when paired with the i3MK3S+

not at all.

Posted : 27/04/2021 10:06 pm
Thejiral
(@thejiral)
Noble Member
RE: Is the MMU2S still troublesome even when paired with the i3MK3S+

The Mk3S+ won't resolve all the issues. No.

Yet, if you dial it in well, the MMU2S works perfectly fine. There are filaments and brands which are a bit more challenging to print and I would not recommend any wood or metal infill filaments but otherwise its fine. I have not unmounted the MMU or shut it off since I have installed it. IMHO it is not its central feature but I feel like the MMU2s is very handy for single colour prints. You wipe the build plate (optional at your own risk), choose the print file, choose the filament (any of the 5) and done. You come back when its finished. No manual filament loading or unloading. As close to click and print as it gets with 3d printing.

 

 

Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4

Posted : 03/05/2021 7:19 pm
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