The e-mail for my XL finally came, how many heads should I get? (and other questions)
So after almost two years of waiting the day has come, almost in time for xmas. Before I complete the order, I thought I would put this out there.
Apologies if this has already been asked and answered many times, feel free to point me in the right direction, this is my first post on this forum.
So, this will be my first ever 3D printer, I am a 51 year old IT engineer so fairly technical and used to troubleshooting and tinkering. I have 12 and 14 year old sons, we were originally going to get one of the regular Prusa printers, but when we saw the announcement for the XL, it just looked too amazing and interesting to settle for anything else.
So, obviously, multiple heads can do multiple colors in the same print, or things like dissolvable scaffolding, is that it? Are there other compelling reasons to go all the way up to 5 heads? Why or why not?
One reason I ask is if there is some amazing reason to get 5, this will probably be my only chance to get them, it likely will be awhile before they sell additional heads until they finish filling all the pre-orders. But, I could see only getting three, or even just getting one and waiting until we have more experience under our belts before messing with more so that we don't get frustrated on our first foray into this industry. Saving money not a bad thing, but I am willing to spend it if it is worth it.
Thanks very much
-JCL
P.S. - a few other things I am wondering about:
Enclosure - I have heard they might come out with an enclosure, which I believe would help with temperature for things like ABS as well as controlling fumes/VOCs. But, if that is going to be awhile, should I just go ahead and build something out of plexiglass?
Ventilation - related to the enclosure, I was thinking I should vent to the outside, is this advisable? My house has an ERV (energy recovery ventilator), so I could branch off of that with a damper to control the CFM out of the enclosure. Also, would I need a similar setup if I want to do something like smoothing of prints with solvents?
Filament drying - appears to me that you really have to have this if you are serious about good results, any recommendations? Should have something that I can feed directly to the printer, or just a way to dry and store filament until it is ready to use?
Starting filament - I would appreciate recommendations for filament I should start with. I might as well order it with the printer, although I have a local Micro Center with lots of filament available, and of course online. But it looks like Prusa has some unique product you can old get from them.
That's it for now, any other suggestions greatly appreciated. We have consumed many articles and videos on this, but there is so much information to cover I don't know how much of our ignorance we have covered.
RE: The e-mail for my XL finally came, how many heads should I get? (and other questions)
I just got the email and have several of the same questions you do. Here is my thinking so far:
Number of heads:
I ordered the dual and will likely move to the five. I actually want 3 (or maybe four) so I can have one for support and two for either dual color print or dual material print. Since there is no in between I will likely just go to 5.
Enclosure:
Looks like there are several third party options available. My main concern is the printed components of the nextruder being PETG and if that will be a problem in an enclosed environment
Ventilation:
I am in a similar situation to you. I think a customized enclosure could help with venting outside, though dampers would be needed to keep it sealed during printing to retain chamber temperature. I think this would be much easier with an open frame printer like a voron or rat rig, but might still be doable here.
Filament Dryer:
The EIBOS 3d options have worked well for me so far.
Filament:
If you want prusament, it is often good to order with a printer and save on shipping. Worked well with my MK3S+, not sure about the XL yet. Polymaker and Hatchbox PLA and PETG have worked well for me, available on amazon in the states. Still sitting on an ASA stash for the day I have a good enclosed setup.
RE:
I just got the email and have several of the same questions you do. Here is my thinking so far:
Number of heads:
I ordered the dual and will likely move to the five. I actually want 3 (or maybe four) so I can have one for support and two for either dual color print or dual material print. Since there is no in between I will likely just go to 5.
That was precisely my reasoning. Two colors, or two compatible materials like a flexible and a rigid filament, and a third support material, seems like it should get substantially more out of tool changing than just two materials. Four or five materials make less of a difference, and if there was a three-head option I might not bother. On the other hand, I might do so anyway, if the price increment was small enough...
RE: The e-mail for my XL finally came, how many heads should I get? (and other questions)
Get 5. Lots of posts from people who got two wishing they got the 5 once they’re living with the printer. You and your sons will love it
So, this will be my first ever 3D printer, I am a 51 year old IT engineer so fairly technical and used to troubleshooting and tinkering.
I wouldn't ordinarily recommend it as a first printer but if you baby-step using just one head for the first few weeks and then implement one change at a time you should be OK.
So, obviously, multiple heads can do multiple colors in the same print, or things like dissolvable scaffolding, is that it? Are there other compelling reasons to go all the way up to 5 heads? Why or why not?
Only you know your own use-case, but one of the first surprises is how many ideas for the extra extruders occur once it's in front of you.
For example: I have been working on a design that needs a section with copper/bronze filled filament to conduct heat away from a friction surface; it is a seperate print and glue operation on my MK3 but the XL prints it as one - and the same part has a print-in-place bearing which I am now planning to implement with a smaller nozzle to tighten the tolerances. Another: I have a control panel which now has 'contrasting colour' - actually transparent, panes in front of indicator LEDs instead of having them poke through.
When I ordered I thought: 'Two extruders so I can (contrasting colour) print labels and graticules plus one for soluble support and another, occasionally, for different materials' so four is plenty. I haven't yet tried solubles on the QL, or flex, and at no time am I planning more than two colours but already I am wondering how to manage with just five extruders.
Enclosure
I can wait until the situation clarifies. I don't print much high temperature filament 'though I do have nylon but the Mk3 can handle that pro-tem.
Ventilation - A combination of HEPA and charcoal filters will deal with any exotics I anticipate printing. Mostly, (PLA, PETG) I use nothing. With good gas-tight containers vapour smoothing uses very little solvent and the transfer can be done outside the printer room.
Filament drying - appears to me that you really have to have this if you are serious about good results,
Definitely. I use a modified food dehydrator that can hold two (soon three) spools. A surprising number of the common problems just don't happen if you dry religiously. You probably won't need to print directly from the drier for the first few months but when you begin day-long PETG or flex prints and anything with solubles or nylon it becomes essential.
Should have something that I can feed directly to the printer, or just a way to dry and store filament until it is ready to use?
So: dry and store for now, direct feed later.
Starting filament
Whatever you can buy cheaply: You are going to waste a lot in the early learning curve; get it over with and when things begin to work out switch to quality filaments and get an extra quality boost - hint: many cheap filaments are slightly off spec, measure the diameter in a few places and enter it in the slicer preset, you may be surprised at the improvement.
Cheerio,
RE: The e-mail for my XL finally came, how many heads should I get? (and other questions)
I got 2 and wish I would have gotten 5 although I really probably will ever use 3. I am waiting for the addon's to come.