Print quality vs MK4S
Hello,
I'm trying to decide between buying a CORE One and eventually installing the MMU upgrade when it releases, or ordering an MK4S with the MMU3 upgrade now and upgrading it to a CORE One when the upgrade kit is available for both.
I am planning to mostly print with PHA, PLA, PETG, and BVOH.
My question is whether the CORE One is likely to provide better print quality than an MK4S for these materials, or will I get the same results with the MK4S with a slower print speed?
Thanks
Best Answer by iftibashir:
When it comes to print quality, the MK4s is already very good. I don't see the Core One being exceptionally better when judging raw quality alone - placing models side by side you'd be hard pressed to see any difference. Yes the core one is slightly faster, but how much this impacts your workflow could be negligible depending upon your specific requirements.
I don't think the implementation of the MMU3 onto the Core One will take very long. The raw hardware is there. The software functionality is there. Prusa seem to be just refining the last details - route to the extruder, MMU3 physical placement, and a 'nicer looking' and more compact physical solution.
It really comes down to how much you need a printer right now? If it's an urgent requirement to print in color, then go the MK4s route. It's a proven solution that's guaranteed to work. However, if I were in your shoes right now, I'd personally go for the Core One considering that's the way forward for 3D Printers, and the MMU functionality should come shortly after - by the time you set up and get used to your Core One, as well as 'run it in' a little, you'll probably find the MMU3 functionality has been released anyways.....you'll also save time and money......
Also note, if speed is your concern, printing in color takes time no matter which printer you choose. Because of the way the MMU3 works with retracting/loading, as well as less purging it is a faster solution then something like the BambuLab printers, as well as producing less waste - but either way, color printing takes time. A small model that can generally take 2 hours to print, can suddenly take 12 hours to print, all dependent upon the about of color added and the number of color changes of course. So do bear that in mind.
Quick shameful plug, but whichever route you choose, I'd be grateful if you could use my referral links! You'll build some Prusa points that you can put towards free filament too!! ;o)
MK4s : https://www.prusa3d.com/product/original-prusa-mk4s-3d-printer-kit/?p2p=%40iftibashir_468393
Core One : https://www.prusa3d.com/product/prusa-core-one-kit?p2p=%40iftibashir_468393
RE: Print quality vs MK4S
When it comes to print quality, the MK4s is already very good. I don't see the Core One being exceptionally better when judging raw quality alone - placing models side by side you'd be hard pressed to see any difference. Yes the core one is slightly faster, but how much this impacts your workflow could be negligible depending upon your specific requirements.
I don't think the implementation of the MMU3 onto the Core One will take very long. The raw hardware is there. The software functionality is there. Prusa seem to be just refining the last details - route to the extruder, MMU3 physical placement, and a 'nicer looking' and more compact physical solution.
It really comes down to how much you need a printer right now? If it's an urgent requirement to print in color, then go the MK4s route. It's a proven solution that's guaranteed to work. However, if I were in your shoes right now, I'd personally go for the Core One considering that's the way forward for 3D Printers, and the MMU functionality should come shortly after - by the time you set up and get used to your Core One, as well as 'run it in' a little, you'll probably find the MMU3 functionality has been released anyways.....you'll also save time and money......
Also note, if speed is your concern, printing in color takes time no matter which printer you choose. Because of the way the MMU3 works with retracting/loading, as well as less purging it is a faster solution then something like the BambuLab printers, as well as producing less waste - but either way, color printing takes time. A small model that can generally take 2 hours to print, can suddenly take 12 hours to print, all dependent upon the about of color added and the number of color changes of course. So do bear that in mind.
Quick shameful plug, but whichever route you choose, I'd be grateful if you could use my referral links! You'll build some Prusa points that you can put towards free filament too!! ;o)
MK4s : https://www.prusa3d.com/product/original-prusa-mk4s-3d-printer-kit/?p2p=%40iftibashir_468393
Core One : https://www.prusa3d.com/product/prusa-core-one-kit?p2p=%40iftibashir_468393
Print quality is a matter of physics, a really well tuned Mk2 is still able to produce top quality prints and the Mk3 made it routine. Almost all developments in the last ten years have been a trade-off; people are impatient so speed-ups with minimal loss of quality has been a major objective along with ease of use, convenience and maintenance combined with a greater range of printable materials.
Don't expect improvements in print quality - but like the Mk4 you may be able to match a Mk3 at a higher speed using a smaller desktop footprint and worrying less about drafts or ventilation and without fear of the cat interfering with exposed moving mechanisms...
For absolute top quality you will slow the printer, perhaps not as much as you would slow the Mk4 or Mk3; it's the part of the trade-off that is under your control.
Cheerio,
RE: Print quality vs MK4S
I was leaning towards getting the CORE One anyway and just waiting, and this thread gave me the nudge I needed.
Placed an order for the CORE One assembled (using your affiliate code iftibashir), and I'll arrange the MMU upgrade once it becomes available.
As luck would have it, the maker space I'm part of today also placed an order for a CORE One and XL 5T to replace their MK3S+ and MK2.5S, so if I'm desperate for multi-material in the mean time I at least have something to use.
Thanks all!
RE: Print quality vs MK4S
the maker space I'm part of today also placed an order for a CORE One and XL 5T
Sounds like an awesome maker club!
for a CORE One and XL 5T to replace their MK3S+ and MK2.5S
Suggest they retain at least one of the older machines. I have an XL5t and a Mk3 on the same bench - yes, the XL prints everything the Mk3 can with indistinguishable quality and usually faster - but for TPE's the XL has to be slowed to almost the same speed as the Mk3 so for some flexible parts it's quicker overall to print them on the Mk3 while the XL gets on with another job. I don't have any evidence (anyone?) but I expect the Core One to need a similar speed.
Cheerio,
RE: Print quality vs MK4S
At this point I don't see the CORE One offer any quality improvement over the Mk4S. In fact, there are VLA artifacts that I don't see on the Mk4S, printing the same objects side by side. I'm sure this will be fixed over time. But at this point, I only use the CORE One for one-off stuff or personal printing projects, not for production work.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- https://foxrun3d.com/
RE: Print quality vs MK4S
At this point I don't see the CORE One offer any quality improvement over the Mk4S. In fact, there are VLA artifacts that I don't see on the Mk4S, printing the same objects side by side. I'm sure this will be fixed over time. But at this point, I only use the CORE One for one-off stuff or personal printing projects, not for production work.
A agree with this assessment, however when they figure out the issues the I think the Core One will be superior on tall parts. I've seen this on identical tall parts I've printed on the MK4 vs. XL. On short parts however I'm betting there will be little to no difference in print quality, or at least that's my hope.
The MK4 has the best print quality out there for consumer machines at the moment imo, it's better than the XL, with the exception of tall parts. The surface quality of the MK4 is better, but as the part gets tall it starts to wiggle causing the surface quality to suffer.
RE: Print quality vs MK4S
the CoreOne has yet to be received by everyone, it needs time... MK4S is a continuous update of 10 years of history, everything is new here.
But honestly I prefer the CoreONE of the MK4S with Enclosure.