Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?
 
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Metinoheat
(@metinoheat)
Member
Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

Are these the complete list of supported materials for the MMU3? I went to add ABS and could not find it in the wizard list. Is it not supported?

 

PLA
PETG
EDGE
NGEN
CPE
PLA Tough
PET

 

These are the only ones displayed. Any clarification would be appreciated. Thank you.

Napsal : 04/06/2024 11:41 pm
Brandonforgie se líbí
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

MMU3 has been tested with PETG and PLA,  
ABS Should work, but has not been tested enough to create a profile for distribution.

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Napsal : 05/06/2024 5:56 am
ReneX
(@renex)
Active Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

Hi Joan, hope you are having a great day.

Do you happen to know why the MMU3 may not work with filament types other than PETG and PLA? The reason I ask is because I am looking at my MMU3 and all it does is push filaments in and out the extruder (its just a plain filament push / puller). Why does it matter if the filament is ABS, PTU or anything else. It seems to me they are all pushed and pull the same way so why would it matter?

Just curious.

Thank you.

Napsal : 15/06/2024 4:55 pm
Brandonforgie se líbí
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

Hi Rene. 

You are correct that the MMU just pushes the filaments towards the extruder and retracts the filaments from the extruder. the difficulty is between filament on the purge block
Using the PLA Settings with PETG Temperatures PETG is not reliable on the purge block. 

I anticipate if you play with the settings and temperatures you can get ABS or ASA to play nicely with the MMU3 setup. 
TPU Is similar, but the soft filament doesn't push to the extruder filament sensor,, too reliably 
Once it's in the extruder and the inter filament purge is complete printing should be ok. 
to the best of my knowledge Prusa have not said ABS ASA TPU Etc, will not work...   

So have a play, see how it goes for you...

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Napsal : 15/06/2024 7:16 pm
bryn51
(@bryn51)
Estimable Member
RE:

Hey Joan,

My use-case for the MMU2/3 was always along the lines of being able to make prints with supports of dissimilar material, including solubles.  The reason being this would make the supports easier to remove without damage to the model.  The supports can be made closer to the model (less gap) and thus better to help keep thre shape oof the model.

The holy grail would be TPU with HIPS supports, but this looks to be beyond hope.

But today's challenge for me is to make some small objects ideally from ASA, but possibly using HIPS supports.
The objects are PINS for purpose of window furnishings (shutters).
Do you think this is within or without the realms of possibility ?

 

This post was modified před 4 months by bryn51
Napsal : 05/09/2024 6:00 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

to be absolutely honest I have not tried ASA on the MMU3, or for that matter hips... 

I have used PLA as support for PETG, and that worked well

Good luck and report back please

Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Napsal : 05/09/2024 9:52 pm
PrintingFun001
(@printingfun001)
Active Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

Hello Joan,

Well, here we are, seven months post your last comment. The current version of PrusaSlicer still has no ABS and, indeed, nothing other than PLA and PETG. Have you heard anything more on additional filament support? Thank you so much.

Napsal : 19/12/2024 6:14 pm
Brian
(@brian-12)
Reputable Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

 

Posted by: @printingfun001

Hello Joan,

Well, here we are, seven months post your last comment. The current version of PrusaSlicer still has no ABS and, indeed, nothing other than PLA and PETG. Have you heard anything more on additional filament support? Thank you so much.

Why can't you just take the profile for PETG and just modify it using the ABS settings from a non MMU profile? 

My suspect for there not being a profile for this is the problems associated with purging.  If you run a high temp filament like ASA, ABS etc. and then try to run a low temp filament like PLA you can have purging issues due to the much lower nozzle temp for PLA.  Aka it doesn't get hot enough to properly purge the ABS. 

What I normally do when making this switch it to purge the PLA at the ABS temp, then lower the temp and purge again as the PLA usually comes out discolored from the high temp. 

That being said if you properly account for it with the correct purging I don't see why you couldn't run ABS. 

Typically you don't need to use ABS along with other materials.  Can you just skip the MMU and feed the ABS directly?

Napsal : 19/12/2024 7:57 pm
bryn51
(@bryn51)
Estimable Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

I'm not Joan, But when I look at Prusa Slicer 2.8.1 I see 21 different ABS filaments available for installation via configuration wizard, and many other than PLA and PETG besides. For you to say what you said, you must not understand how PS works.  It filters out those materials it considers incompatible with the current selected printer profile.
It may be that Prusa have set those filament profiles to be incompatible with MMU3.  If you should have a different opinion as to compatibility or just want to try it out then the thing to do is to install a stock standard printer profile, select it, and a layer height of 0.2 mm, and all the various filaments you configured via the wizard should be available.  You can alter their "compatibility" by clicking on "dependencies" and there you find the "compatible printers" and "compatible print profiles" items, with "all" selected.  This does not work like you might expect, and what yu need to do is go into "compatible printers" item and expressly turn on the MMU3 printer profiles. This will allow you then to set up some prints using that material and of course its at your own risk. 

Posted by: @printingfun001

Hello Joan,

Well, here we are, seven months post your last comment. The current version of PrusaSlicer still has no ABS and, indeed, nothing other than PLA and PETG. Have you heard anything more on additional filament support? Thank you so much.

 

Napsal : 19/12/2024 8:20 pm
PrintingFun001
(@printingfun001)
Active Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

Yes, I see the ABS options in the standard nozzle profiles, but not the MMU3 profile. And I suspect you are correct they are designated as "incompatible" as you suggested. I guess what I am looking for is something from Prusa to the effect that it is attempting to make ABS and the many other filaments (other than PLA and PETG) compatible with the MMU3 or that they are not expected to ever work reliably. In the latter case, I would be disappointed, but at least I can stop asking and deal with it as best as I can. Thanks for the reply.

Napsal : 19/12/2024 8:38 pm
PrintingFun001
(@printingfun001)
Active Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

 

Posted by: @brian-12

 

Posted by: @printingfun001

Hello Joan,

Well, here we are, seven months post your last comment. The current version of PrusaSlicer still has no ABS and, indeed, nothing other than PLA and PETG. Have you heard anything more on additional filament support? Thank you so much.

Why can't you just take the profile for PETG and just modify it using the ABS settings from a non MMU profile? 

My suspect for there not being a profile for this is the problems associated with purging.  If you run a high temp filament like ASA, ABS etc. and then try to run a low temp filament like PLA you can have purging issues due to the much lower nozzle temp for PLA.  Aka it doesn't get hot enough to properly purge the ABS. 

What I normally do when making this switch it to purge the PLA at the ABS temp, then lower the temp and purge again as the PLA usually comes out discolored from the high temp. 

That being said if you properly account for it with the correct purging I don't see why you couldn't run ABS. 

Typically you don't need to use ABS along with other materials.  Can you just skip the MMU and feed the ABS directly?

Thanks for your response. As to your first question, I could do that, but I was hoping Prusa had come up with a solution. Perhaps this is not the right place to express that hope. And in that no one has seen an official solution (likely for all the reasons you point out), maybe there isn't one and I am not skilled enough to implement your purging suggestions.  As for your second question, that is what I do now. Thanks again.

Napsal : 19/12/2024 8:44 pm
Brian se líbí
bryn51
(@bryn51)
Estimable Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

Prusa adopt a rather conservative approach when deciding upon compatibility with mmu3. But many folks say they can make “incompatible” materials work with it.

Prusa do not wish to be “blamed” for saying something works when their testing says otherwise. And they will err on the side of conservatively, as many folks lack the acumen to work things out fir themselves.

But you have the capacity to test it for yourself. This requires a risk acceptance approach. 

The mmu3 is what it is, having a certain mechanical capability thats essentially fixed by its design. Thats not going to change. The XL printer has a different design allowing multi material printing with less limitations.

Many folks push the limits driven by their needs and wishes. And say they have found ways to make mmu3 go well beyond its design limits.

Posted by: @printingfun001

Yes, I see the ABS options in the standard nozzle profiles, but not the MMU3 profile. And I suspect you are correct they are designated as "incompatible" as you suggested. I guess what I am looking for is something from Prusa to the effect that it is attempting to make ABS and the many other filaments (other than PLA and PETG) compatible with the MMU3 or that they are not expected to ever work reliably. In the latter case, I would be disappointed, but at least I can stop asking and deal with it as best as I can. Thanks for the reply.

 

Napsal : 19/12/2024 8:47 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

waiting is frustrating...   

Can you wait a little longer. 

Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Napsal : 19/12/2024 9:57 pm
PrintingFun001 se líbí
JLTX
 JLTX
(@jltx)
Reputable Member
RE:

I primarily use MMU3 as a material switcher between prints, not multi-material in a print.  There is NO reason all of the standard filament types are not included.  This is really annoying to have to go create your own profiles.  I will file a ticket.

That said, I was curious about the multi-material behavior with ABS.  I tried it and it worked just fine for my small print.  Having been a victim of MMU2 I know what to look for as far as failure modes.   The ramming is the main key after they addressed the hw side with MMU3.  Ramming looks good with the ABS I have (8 years old).   You will want to bump up your wipe tower brim.  This is also fixable if Prusa would change the wipe pattern to remove stresses.  I will file another ticket.

This post was modified před 1 week by JLTX
Napsal : 08/01/2025 12:06 am
bryn51
(@bryn51)
Estimable Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

In the first line you define a particular use case that is out of the ordinary, I guess its an example of folks stretching the envelope. But, since the standard use case of MMUx is to facilitate multi material printing by switching filaments during printing, your case it currently out of scope. But who is to say it might be accommodated, your "ticket" should be of the "enhancement " variety as its not a bug.

The general deal with ABS (and ASA) is to warp unless conditions are carefully controlled, and yes the Infill pattern likely a key ingredient. Addition of stress relief measures right at the modelling stage is the way I know can help.  So, its not just the wipe tower. Again, its an enhancement to help users deal with warping more easily and effectively and if you can make a contribution (towards a specific solution you know of) I am sure they would welcome it. Good luck with it, one never knows the reception enhancement requests will get when they arrive at the developers in tray, but I am sure it will get more attention if the request contains a specific methodology whereby the required functionality can be achieved, rather than just a request for some vague improvement.

For example :
Requirement: Improve Seams.  The seam lines are horrible and disfigure the appearance of a print.
Approach A: "Please improve the seams"
Approach B: "Please improve seams by adding the "Scarfe Seams" feature recently added to Orca Slicer"

Approach B gets the attention, approach A gets put to one side..

Posted by: @jltx

I primarily use MMU3 as a material switcher between prints, not multi-material in a print.  There is NO reason all of the standard filament types are not included.  This is really annoying to have to go create your own profiles.  I will file a ticket.

That said, I was curious about the multi-material behavior with ABS.  I tried it and it worked just fine for my small print.  Having been a victim of MMU2 I know what to look for as far as failure modes.   The ramming is the main key after they addressed the hw side with MMU3.  Ramming looks good with the ABS I have (8 years old).   You will want to bump up your wipe tower brim.  This is also fixable if Prusa would change the wipe pattern to remove stresses.  I will file another ticket.

 

Napsal : 08/01/2025 12:33 am
JLTX
 JLTX
(@jltx)
Reputable Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

Multi single material is a standard use case that was promoted by Prusa for the original MMU.  Same for AMS on Bambu.  This is not stretching the envelope.  

I found there is already a ticket open on this. #13260  Many people unhappy.  For my use case there is workaround in slicer I can use but I have to set up multiple printer profiles.   I still expect Prusa to address this because why would people buy Prusa Core One, to print engineering materials, and MMU which blocks it?

As far as ABS/ASA, yes I know how to print it.  The model is your (the user's) problem.  The wipe tower is Prusa's problem because the user does not control it.  My point there is the current method can lead to failures with highly shrinking material but it easy to mitigate.  I printed some simulated wipe towers in ABS with default style, rotated, and alternate infill.  The standard indeed failed quite soon, even with brim.  The rotated survived much longer but showing strains on brim.  Alternate showed zero stress.

BTW, people are forging ahead with ABS MMU prints.   So don't hold back. link: MK4 ABS MMU

Napsal : 08/01/2025 3:16 pm
bryn51
(@bryn51)
Estimable Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

“I primarily use MMU3 as a material switcher between prints, not multi-material in a print.  ”

I what I responded to as an unusual use case.

Of course its possible to perform a filament change (using the black buttons or using firmware menu functions) already.

I suggest some clarity of your proposal is needed.

Napsal : 08/01/2025 4:02 pm
JLTX
 JLTX
(@jltx)
Reputable Member
RE: Supported Filament Types on the MMU3 - Where is ABS in PrusaSlicer?

I think we are talking past each other so I'll drop it.   I was just trying to encourage trying it out and not waiting for official support.

For others following I filed #13934

In meantime the best option is to use wipe tower width to make sure lines are the short edge and use large brim.  You can rotate wipe tower object on bed as needed which will honor your direction choice.  

Napsal : 08/01/2025 6:39 pm
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