Decision time getting close, a few questions
Hope this is the right place but I have some questions about the multi head XL. We currently run two MK3S+ printers and love them. Dependable workhorses. But we are getting ready to launch a new product (an above elbow loss prosthetic arm with functioning joints) and need size and potentially multimaterial capability. The size is barely big enough but we can work with that. Prusa isn't answering questions sent so I thought I'd ask here. We print prosthetics in an unusual setting. On the water, in a boat and now also a floating workshop, in the edge of the jungle. The MK3S+ printers have some climate control but if we go with a multi tool XL will it take working in our shop without the climate control. Midsummer here it will be 105F with very high humidity.
What is the power draw for a 120 volt system when running. I have to setup a pure sine inverter system for this. Our power here is very unpredictable so we run on inverter and batteries and charge from mains and possibly solar in the future. But need to know capacities!
Is anyone being successful with polycarbonate and nylon? In that heat here we are thinking of a well ventilated enclosure or draft shields. Ideas?
Nozzles, we run a fair amount of PETG CF and some PC CF. We have a good assortment of Slice Engineering Gamma Masters on hand, does the nozzle adapter work well?
One dream of an engineer working with us is to design our functioning hands with built in TPU springs. Has anyone been successful printing flexibles with PETG?
This is a big layout for a tiny nonprofit and we've been messed over by another non Prusa product and honestly can't afford another. Our supply line is very long and expensive so returns are impossible. Does it seem most are doing well with this printer now? We don't want something that needs fussing and constant tweaking, we need a tool that goes to work successfully. This is past hobby level here and about changing lives so we try to equip accordingly. We are looking at another machine designed to print in harsh environments but the price tag is pretty steep.
Sorry for all the questions but hope to get some solid info!
RE: Decision time getting close, a few questions
I do not own an XL but here are my two cents anyway. Unless you are printing PLA, which you are not, if I understood you correctly, high ambient temperature should not be a problem. The issue is of course high humidity, that is especially the case for PETG and PCCF. Other than humidity I do not think that a floating workshop is any issue.
I'll leave the question regarding general reliability and printability of flexible filaments mixed with non-flex filaments like PETG or PCCF to others with experience but I would strongly recommend getting some sort of full enclosure solution (currently only third party solutions or DIY available) for the XL and a dry box solution for all your filament spools in use. That will help a lot against stringing which from what I have heard is something to watch out for especially on the XL.
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: Decision time getting close, a few questions
I have not had much joy with the nozzle adaptor using tungsten carbide nozzles. Leaking, probably due to different expansion with the aluminum heater blocks. I bought some plated copper heater blocks from Levendigs, which are supposed to address this issue, but haven't had an opportunity to install and test them yet.
Enclosure/climate control. I'm in the middle of building the EnXLosure, which seems—fine. I would probably hold out for the official Prusa enclosure, which is coming.
Wish I could help with any of your other questions—you guys do great work down there! But I'm not printing any TPU on my XL. I sell one model that is a TPU/PLA combo but I print the TPU component separately on a Mk4 and just slide it in.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: Decision time getting close, a few questions
We live by filament drying here! each printer feeds from one plus one for drying when straight out of the bag new.
RE: Decision time getting close, a few questions
I can't tell you directly if the XL will be the right tool for you. But I can give you some information about abrasive materials on the XL as well as TPU.
I printed about 3kg of GlowInTheDark Filament ( https://colorfabb.com/de/glowfill) with a 0.6mm Prusa ObXidian nozzle and it doesn't show any wear at all. Thomas Sanlanderer made a great video about the ObXidian:
From my perspective there is no need to use the adapter and a thungsten nozzle. I'd use the ObXidian. This also solves the issue with leaking as @fuchsr mentioned.
Due to the long path of the filament through the tubes, TPU is problematic on the XL. But the solution from Bernd over at Printables solved that issue for me: https://www.printables.com/de/model/718498-prusa-xl-soft-tpu-cable-clip-to-extruder-prusa-xl
Until now I've only used Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95-HF. Sure it isn't as flexible as a 70A but printing with it is easy and quite fast for a TPU. Have a look here: https://polymaker.com/product/polyflex-tpu95-hf/
As far as I can tell there are no AC powered components in the XL, it should be possible to bypass the power supplies and use DC direct although this will probably void the warranties. Perhaps @tojik could link you to someone who can supply the parameters; as a guide the 5 head XL has three 24V 10A units.
Speaking of bypassing: It's a good idea to hang a TPU spoolholder above the printer, disconnect one of the PTFE tubes and feed direct to the toolhead.
As long as you are not trying to print at sea or being bashed against a harbour wall by passing wash the XL will be OK.
Midsummer here it will be 105F with very high humidity.
The official limit is 38°C, perhaps print at night only if you cannot cool the air.
ObXidian nozzles are working well for me.
to design our functioning hands with built in TPU springs. Has anyone been successful printing flexibles with PETG?
I've done a bit of mixed media printing but not enough to make recommendations; one joining technique that has worked well and which I cannot imagine failing is to 'stitch' the connections between different filaments. Make closed loops of TPU through closed loops of hard filament and they cannot come unstuck.
This design is for a TPU flexi-hinge between two rigid panels, folding chess boards made this way have lasted, undamaged, since December. Replace one side with your TPU part and it can only be removed by tearing or cutting.
Don't be fooled by the forum bias, most users only come here if they have problems, the few XL users complaining here out of the thousands of machines sold suggest that most XLs are like mine; they just work. You will have to make filament drying your new religion but you already knew that.
Cheerio,
RE: Decision time getting close, a few questions
Well, pulled the trigger on a two head. Thanks for the input. If it does what we think it will I'll order more heads later. Got to say that ordering from a fairly remote place and shipping through a freight forwarder was.....painful. In a world that wants everything normal I always have to be the problem child it seems. But I think I finally have Prusa, the bank, the credit card company, the green heron who visits nightly and the local iguanas all in agreement. I don't socialize with the crocs or fer de lance snakes so not sure but hopefully they won't be any trouble! Now the months long wait. 6 weeks to ship estimated and it will probably take two more months in transit getting to our little corner of the world.