Single color print on MMU3 - bypass ?
Most of the time I print is single color but loading the MMU is a pain in the rear as I feel it constantly fights me or I have to take extra time to load to the MMU or to the hot end. Where my non-MMU (MK4s) just put the spool on, and push the filament into the hot end - easy.
Is there a way to bypass the MMU3 for single color usage (like turning it off per say, or the software not using it for single prints)? Then I can put a spool on and go straight into the hot end like normal. If I try and choose the printer selection without MMU, then it busts me when trying to print, that the print I loaded does not match the printer (a good feature for sure, but sucks for MMU).
Here is what I tried with limiting success: Install about 6 inch of filament into the MMU slot 1, I do this in revers and load through MMU exit, then click load to hot end. It pulls that up into the tube (that is curled up top not connected to hot end), I have the spool holder on the far right as it fits next to the MMU, then feed the filament directly into the hot end. This does work, but after a couple of prints the 6" filament breaks or becomes worn down due to feeding back and forth so much, so gotta replace or mess with it - so not an absolute work around as it takes time away from actual printing and screwing with the MMU.
Thoughts that would help correct this issue:
1 - Prusa team, add a MMU bypass into the slicer. When choosing your printer (if its the MMU one) then it has another check box to say single print, if selected it tells the MMU to power or bypass, and it will more or less turn slicer into the normal printer selection (the one without the MMU).
2 - Do it yourself fix. I thought of installing a separate power switch (on or off switch) near the power supply unit, then plug the power from the MMU into that, then to the PSU. Then turn the MMU off (as I mostly print single color). Then in slicer, choose the standard printer (MK3.5s without the MMU). Ideally it should work as the MMU is off? Then when I need to print color, turn it on and use the MK3.5s/MMU printer selection.
Any thoughts on these approaches? I wish the Prusa team would work this into the slicer as that would simplify things greatly. Right now, I don't use my 3.5 as often given the load issues (pain in the rear), heaven forbid a spool runs out and you have to reload it as that then takes a lot of time messing with the MMU. I do recognize I can load a handful of low filament colors so it will move to the next one - nice feature but not what I'm going for in most prints.
FYI - I have two Prusa printers (MK4s and a MK3.5). I have the MMU3 on the MK3.5.
RE: Single color print on MMU3 - bypass ?
I also print mostly with one colour on my MK4S with MMU3. You can disable the MMU3 in the menu on the printer's display, it is under Settings/Hardware, I believe. After that you can remove the PTFE tube to the MMU3 and feed filament directly into the Nextruder. With the modified lever and sensor for the MMU3 you may have to push a bit harder for the sensor to detect the filament. It also helps to push on the idler lever from the left hand side with your thumb and gripping the Nextruder from the other side with your fingers so the filament can pass down. Check on the display if the sensor was triggered. After that the filament will go in. After trying a few times you will get the hang of it. I have my MK4S with MMU3 inside a Prusa Enclosure. I feed the filament through the opening in the middle of the top cover, where I have installed a mount for a PTFE fitting that I can connect to the Nextruder. Like that I can feed the filament from the top of the Enclosure.