RE: Prusa Core One - Intial thoughts......
In essence, once converted, you'll only really be left with the main frame of the MK4s left over......
Nice wall hanger?
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Prusa Core One - Intial thoughts......
I could easily see a scaled up version of a single head happening, something like a VCore300 or so. That shouldn't tax their development much. I enjoy having at least one XL to print larger overall dimensions xy, but also, from time to time z (rarely exceeding 300 mills). So, there could be a market, maybe even 400.
As for Multihead, well, scaling down the XL with 3 THs? maybe, but doesn't reduce the overall bill that much. So, I personally vote for unlikely
So, the other chance would be IDEX Core One. My guess, not happening.
As for the filament path for flex: As the top is PC the bypass hack can still work and might even become standard (see the second alternative MMU concept), but I don't think this matches your use case.
If all those solutions would be dirt cheap to develop and market I guess we would go for them. But as it is, a one-horse-for-all solution will be far, far in the future. I would already be glad to get my Core Ones delivered as initially stated as I sold all older generation printers off in December (my guess, same as above, not happening).
RE:
Just speculating. But I imagine that thermal expansion can cause problems maintaining consistent belt tension. Especially since any corexy printer has twice as many belts as a bed-slinger. I hope they at least make belt tension a simple thumbscrew adjustment. Automatic belt tension would be even better, but I suspect that’s beyond the scope of this modest upgrade. I’m kind of glad to be in the conversion group. Let the assembled units get out in the field for awhile before I take the plunge.
Prusa is addressing thermal stress with the steel parts in the Core One. Thermal changes warp and twist a machine. I worked with machine tools holding .001mm, and we worried when there was more than 2C temperature change in the shop. 3d printers are far from .001mm tolerances, but they need to be better machines.
As the use of higher temp materials has gone up, PETG for printer parts is being eliminated. MK4S part changes show this.
Using steel and no aluminum in the frame for consistent thermal expansion reduces deformation, but it still grows. Example 30c delta of steel over the 270mm is .1mm. Per layer this is not noticeable. When your part comes out .1mm taller over 270mm that is usually within tolerance expectations. A 270 mm PETG part will change height by .6mm over 30c by my calculations. That is why PETG when allowed to cool to room temp usually just slides off the sheet. The thermal size change vs. steel size change breaks it free. Machine thermal size changes are currently hidden in the printed material size changes.
For current print tolerances thermal expansion is not a major concern, but the warping, twisting and stress caused by dissimilar materials in a machine frame is a concern. The temperature control for material also provides a consistent temperature for the machine minimizing any deformation caused by temperature changes. It may seem minor now, but in a few years, when XY positioning capabilities move from the current .08mm to .02mm or better, it will become more noticeable. With control of the temperature. exapansion can be predicted. Then slicers can scale parts for thermal effects on the machine and part.
MMU3 buffer, spools will work as they always have. I think we are asking is there a neater package for spools and buffer coming for the MMU3.
RE: Prusa Core One - Intial thoughts......
so realistically I could build it with my 3.9 and get some new z motors
Probably. If I were you, I'd wait until the upgrade instructions are available. Then you will see what parts are expected to be re-used from the MK4S. See what is needed that you don't have on your 3.9 and see if you can order the spare parts from the Prusa store. If you come up with a solution, if you are feeling generous open a forum thread here to tell others the results of your homework.
A quick update for those of us on this thread who aren't keeping an eye on the comments in the blog post, here is a reply from the Mouth of Prusa to a question about upgrading a MK3.9:
Jakub - Prusa Research says:January 24, 2025 at 13:58
Unfortunately no. Only MK4s can be upgraded. But we are working on an article that will summarize the extra parts you will need so you can order them separately
So keep your eyes peeled (presumably on the blog, but maybe here on the forums) for an official list of a la carte parts to upgrade a non MK4S to a CoreONE.
See my (limited) designs on:
Printables - https://www.printables.com/@Sembazuru
Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/Sembazuru/designs
RE: Prusa Core One - Intial thoughts......
I am one of the people in this boat right now. I own a Bambu P1S + AMS which I purchased last year to upgrade from my heavily modified Ender 3. At the time I weighed up and pros and cons of other brands such as Prusa but the costs and benefits of Bambu were just too great in my opinion. Even now looking at the CORE One I can't help but feel that Prusa are only just starting to catch up as Bambu are nearing the announcement of their next generation. I'm willing to accept that Prusa might have the edge on quality of key parts, quality of print and customer service but come on.. it takes up more space on all axis and yet has a smaller build volume in all directions but height? I don't care about side storage area 🫤. I do like the design decisions on the door and the temperature controlled extraction fans though, that's cool. My P1S gets quite warm in the summer so I have to leave the glass door open but other than that there's not that excites me.
Despite all that though, given the recent controversy with Bambu's latest security update I have to say that there's a HECK of a lot of value in Prusa's mindset that "It's your machine to do what you want with". After all, we're in this hobby/business for that reason. That to me is now enough to negate the price difference and build volume.
But the AMS is the biggest thing holding me back. Bambu's system is so convenient and works so well, it sits right on top of the P1S and it's fully enclosed so I can just store my filament inside and fire up prints from my PC without touching the printer. I really hope Prusa some up with something a but more competitive in that area for the CORE One. Do that and I'll make the switch.
With the recent changes announced by BambuLab (breaking compatibility with 3rd party hardware and slicers and locking down their firmware), many people are going to be thinking "Fine, I'll pay the premium for a CORE One to get a product I can rely on for the long term."
All Prusa has to do is overcome his/their tendency to not be detailed when communicating shipping timelines for pre-orders, and they'll be back on top in the 3D printing world. They're already almost there.