What about an MMU3 if I print >mostly< in Single Mode?
As I consider the purchase of an MMU3 (for my MK4), I have a question I haven't really been able to find an answer for -- if I intend to print primarily with a single filament (Single Mode), and forsee printing with multi-color or multi-material options only infrequently, might the MMU3 end up being more bother than benefit, in day-to-day use?
I'm less concerned about the expense than the disruption of the ease of use I've become accustomed to with the MK4. I don't keep filament loaded, for example, so with the MMU, I would have to go through what appears to be a somewhat more complicated process just to load (and unload) filament. My sense is that MMU3 works well once some adjustments are made -- is Single Mode more or less as reliable as it would be in the stock MK4 (or any other model)?
I do sort of feel as though I'm talking myself out of the idea as I work it through(!), though I am curious as to the experience others have had with the MMU3.
RE: What about an MMU3 if I print >mostly< in Single Mode?
I have MMU3 with Mk3.9 (Which is almost functionally identical to Mk4 (With the exception of higher definition X and Y Motors))
In my experience the MMU3 adds value to single filament prints with the slight overhead of having to remember to allocate the particular filament that you want to use, during slicing
With a single filament Mk4, the filament is loaded to the extruder before mesh bed levelling and may spot on the build plate whilst probing for MESH BED LEVELLING.
with the MMU, there can be 5 filaments ready and waiting (Which may reduce the number of times you haveto re load the printer) the filament you have nominated for the print, is kept in the MMU until after MESH BED LEVELLING, so there is less chance of spotting the build plate. once mesh bed levelling is complete the chosen filament is advanced to the extruder, ready for use. At the end of a print the MMU unloads the filament back to the MMU before cooling, so if you want to remove that filament for the next print, it is already unloaded, which saves time as there is no need to reheat the extruder, before removing the filament.
also there is no chance of heat creep, if you turn the MMU Printer off before the nozzle has fully cooled, where as there is a chance of heat creep if you turn the single filament printer off, before cooling is complete
I have both MMU1 and MMU3 at the moment, I have previously had MMU2 and Palette2...
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
RE: What about an MMU3 if I print >mostly< in Single Mode?
As I consider the purchase of an MMU3 (for my MK4), I have a question I haven't really been able to find an answer for -- if I intend to print primarily with a single filament (Single Mode), and forsee printing with multi-color or multi-material options only infrequently, might the MMU3 end up being more bother than benefit, in day-to-day use?
I'm less concerned about the expense than the disruption of the ease of use I've become accustomed to with the MK4. I don't keep filament loaded, for example, so with the MMU, I would have to go through what appears to be a somewhat more complicated process just to load (and unload) filament. My sense is that MMU3 works well once some adjustments are made -- is Single Mode more or less as reliable as it would be in the stock MK4 (or any other model)?
I do sort of feel as though I'm talking myself out of the idea as I work it through(!), though I am curious as to the experience others have had with the MMU3.
I haven't quite got my MMU3 running yet, but to actually load filament seems like it would be a minor bother, since you have to route it through the buffer. It seems like the MMU3 would be a benefit for single filament printing if you have "go-to" colors, and now you can keep 5 go-to colors "loaded" at all times. When you start a single filament print on the MK4, it will ask you which of the 5 MMU filaments to use. Select which one you want and go.
If you really don't want to keep any filaments loaded into the MMU, then it may be a bit of a hassle. However, you could pick one slot and disconnect the PTFE tube from the buffer. Then just load your filament for single-filament into the tube, bypassing the buffer. Will work fine, since the buffer is just to hold filament that's unloaded when nobody is there to manage it and make sure it doesn't get tangled after unloading.
If you got, or printed, a "Y" fitting, you could insert a Y into the PTFE tube between the buffer and the MMU3, with the "top" of the Y facing the MMU3. Now one leg of the Y goes to the buffer, and one is where you insert a tube that goes to a spoolholder with no buffer. This would let you load and unload filament from either the buffer or bypassing the buffer, without the hassle of actually routing the filament through the buffer every time you want to do a single filament print.
My personal plan is to print 5x of these dryboxes, and keep 5 filaments loaded at all times. When doing a single filament print, chances are high that one of the 5 loaded filaments will be the color I want.