Are the printable parts of the MMU2S assembly available to us?
Hello,
I am printing parts for the upgrade to MMU2S. It has crossed my mind to look up the STL files for printing a whole entire MMU2S assembly that I could use if I wanted to also build the printer from scratch. I was thinking if I could use my first printer to build a second printer exactly like it.
I believe I could use 2 printers to achieve 10 colors instead of only 5. I could print the first half on printer one, and then get another copy going on printer 1. As the second copy of the first piece is going, I could place the first part on a custom built raft in printer 2. Then the second printer has 5 different colors going that will finish off the final part that is ultimately built with 10 different filaments... as long as my process does not create a layer shift. The G-code for the second printer will need to begin exactly where it would have started if it was on the first printer without interruption. I will also need a second printer process to test how to add encapsulated weights, like metal washers, into the print.
That is a very long bow to draw, but I am not finding STL for how the MMU2S would be printed from scratch. Is that available for us? Or is that exclusively an item only for purchase from Prusa?
Thank you.
RE: Are the printable parts of the MMU2S assembly available to us?
Yes the STLs are available both from the main Prusa website and in their GitHub repo.
As far your idea, if I understand what you want to do, it would be far easier to insert a pause in the gcode where you want to change your color set, swap the filaments, and restart the print.
RE: Are the printable parts of the MMU2S assembly available to us?
Okay. I'll keep looking for the MMU2 printable parts files. For some reason I am not finding them but I can find lots of other parts to print. I'll just keep looking.
The trick I'm trying to achieve is to also encapsulate foreign objects into the print and I believe it would be likely that the first base portion of the part would pop off the heat bed plate because it would be disturbed when I touch it, trying to fit a metal piece into it.
But on a second printer I could print a base plate to hold the unfinished part. I think the base plate would hold the zero down true during multiple part changes if I place neodymium magnets around the outside skirting brim of the part holding base plate.
RE: Are the printable parts of the MMU2S assembly available to us?
In the upgrades section here: https://www.prusa3d.com/prusa-i3-printable-parts/
Or here: https://github.com/prusa3d/Original-Prusa-i3/tree/MMU2/STL
I suppose it depends what/how you are inserting, but inserting a pause mid print to insert something (nuts, magnets, rods, bearings, etc..) isn't uncommon.
While I expect it could be done, moving a part from one plate to another mid print is going to be ripe for problems.
RE: Are the printable parts of the MMU2S assembly available to us?
I am just not used to how Github works yet. I don't know yet why I couldn't find it. Thanks.
It is going to take some thought, that is for sure. I'll probably need to talk to a machinist friend who would be more practiced at it.
I am also considering to design a new base for the second process and the base would be mounted onto the y carriage as I wouldn't be using the heat bed.
I am liking the two printer process because I find the less time a part is on the printer, then less bad things can happen. Also, my end product design needs to have some effort to discourage counterfeiting. I think a manufacturing process that requires deliberate multiple printer operations can help with that. I'd like to design a piece that could never be made by pausing the print and switching out filaments because people could tell it was fake.
I would never be able to tell the difference between a fake and a real Pokemon card, but my kid sure can! And it is funny when you hear another child complain about how Santa gave him a whole bunch of fakes for Christmas.
Thank you for your help. I am having fun with this project. Thanks for listening to me rant.