Will there ever be a Multi Material lite version?
Wondering...
I do like the idea of the Multi Material, but I find it a bit overkill, price wise its almost 50% of my printer's price and do I really need 5 different filaments....
I would be happy with a 2 filament version, so I could use PLA and HIPS for instance. Or ABS and a flexable filament. The lite version could also be a lot cheaper compared to the normal version.
I dont really know if Prusa is researching this option, but I am wondering if there are others with the same wish.
Dont think Prusa uses a voting system to figure out the wishes from its customers, I would certainly vote for this one 🙂
Cheers
Ido
Re: Will there ever be a Multi Material lite version?
I don't think it would save you much $$. You'd still have three stepper motors and the same control board (the big expense). You'd save some PLA, some screws, and 2-3 bearings. Call it <$10 worth of savings (maybe a bit more if you factor in print time). Given that limited savings, I don't think there would be much of a market for it.
Just get an MMU2 and use two filaments.
Re: Will there ever be a Multi Material lite version?
Couldn't you use 2 of the 5 filament slots? You don't have to keep 5 spools of filament behind your printer. The only difference in real estate at that point would be on the frame of your printer.
Re: Will there ever be a Multi Material lite version?
Dont think Prusa uses a voting system to figure out the wishes from its customers, I would certainly vote for this one 🙂
...
Hi Ido,
quite the opposite, we use feedback a lot. Scanning all social networks, forums or assembly manuals on a daily basis and improving our printers according to your wishes and experience. Several months ago we had an enormous survey with thousands of answers "Prusa Research - 2018 User Experience Survey". Your opinions matter to us and personally my assembly manuals are the way they are (e.g. the best 😎 ), because of all the great feedback I'm getting from you guys 😉
To answer the MMU2 for 2 filament question. The second generation of the MMU2 is cheaper than the first one and amount of the filaments won't play significant role on the final price, as even with two filaments you still have to keep the motors and electronics.
/ Knowledge Base
The guy behind Prusa assembly manuals...
Re: Will there ever be a Multi Material lite version?
@jakub.d
Thats good to hear. I did fill in the survey, indeed a good method. I know there companies that use like an issue tracker with a voting system. Atleast you keep all the wishes at one place instead of the various sources you have to check now.
I am curious what Prusa will create next..
@corey.d3 and @paul.m27
The MMU2 only uses 2 motors, making it less expensive ofcourse. There are a few methods achieving multi material printing, each with its own pro's and cons. If there is a need for only 2 materials, perhaps another methods can be used. I am trying to think outside of the box. I love it how Prusa tries something new. MMU2 also functions differently compared to the first version.
Would also be cool to be able to attach other things, like a pen and make it a plotter, or a cnc machine, haha