MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
Dear Prusa3d and cocreators,
Now that indx is around the corner I want to be use it. Preferably without wasting parts :).
Since we don't use the nextruder anymore I considered skipping the MK4 to MK4s conversion and go straight to INDX.
There is a tutorial for converting the MK4 to core one. See the URL at the bottom.
Is there anything in the conversion kit to core one that is also no longer needed if I go for INDX?
At Prusa3d can we get a conversion kit specifically for going for indx from MK4/s?
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
Same here.
First of all, congratulations on the official release and shipping of the INDX system!
However, I noticed that in the upgrade kit options, there is no INDX version available for the MK4S to Core One+ conversion. This means MK4S users currently need to first purchase the upgrade to Core One+, and then buy the INDX conversion kit separately. This results in unnecessary waste and duplicated costs.
I hope Prusa can offer a direct MK4S to Core One+ with INDX conversion option in the future.
Finally, congratulations again on reaching this important milestone.
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
Ultimately even a Mk3.5 to Core One with INDX should theoretically be possible, though it may need a few extra parts for firmware consistency, since presumably no standard Core Ones have the older lower-resolution steppers.
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
I am on the same boat here, I have mk4s that I want to convert to One+INDX, but doing 2 upgrades seems unnecessary to me tbh. I have to install Nextruder on One, then remove it to place INDX
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
I get the desire for this because I'm in the same situation with an MK4s+MMU3.
The upgrade path is more expensive than it needs to be. I'm doing it anyway. Yesterday I submitted the order. I know I've got a long, indirect, convoluted upgrade, especially because the MK4s-to-CoreOne+ upgrade ships now, and the INDX upgrade won't ship until at least June.
One of the complexities is my existing MMU. Not sure if the upgrade to One+ will "undo" the conversion work of MK4s to MK4s/MMU (leaving me temporarily with a One+ or a One+/MMU while waiting for the INDX). If I end up with One+ without MMU, that may be preferable since it would make the INDX upgrade more straightforward.
The worst situation would be if I had to remove the MMU from my MK4s before One+ upgrade. I'm not sure if I still have the parts to do that (or a procedure).
So many unknowns. Maybe I'm crazy to jump so early.
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
Almost everything on the Mk4S comes apart during the conversion, with the exception of the nextruder core, bed assembly, power supply, main board etc. I'm not familiar with the nextruder changes associated with the MMU, but I wouldn't expect the "extra steps" to be extensive since so much of the printer will be completely torn down for the conversion anyway. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong here.
In any case, I don't think it would take long to review the Mk4S -> Core One conversion instruction steps in a few places to get an idea of the changes, and if needed, print any "non MMU" nextruder components beforehand to make sure you are covered.
-J
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
Besides this topic I also send an email to the helpdesk. Asking if they would sell a core one without the nextruder. Perhaps I should have mentioned the kid but so far the answer was no.
"We do not have the option of selling the printer without Nextruder and there will not be such option in the future"
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
I contacted the help desk. What I didn't know was that there was a MK4S/MMU3-to-CoreOne+/MMU3 kit. I ordered the non-MMU one. Helpdesk said it would be more "straightforward" if I de-converted the MK4s Nextruder back to non-MMU before doing the conversion to One+, but that it would work fine without doing that. The main thing is switching back to the high-flow nozzle (when using the MMU, you generally use the standard nozzle). The non-MMU configuration of the Nextruder also has a different idler and filament sensor. I'll see if I can find those.
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
Do you think you would really sometimes use the mmu and sometimes INDX?
For which kind of object are there benefits to the mmu over INDX?
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
No. I won't be caring at all about the MMU. I'm more than willing to go without it while waiting for the INDX to ship. The MMU has always been... finicky. I'm going to try to de-convert back to no MMU so that the MK4s-to-One+-to-INDX conversion is standard and documented. De-converting assumes I still have the old idler and filament sensor and can follow the MMU instructions in reverse 😀.
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
As long as there is an upgrade path from previous iterations of the MK4S and Core One, why wouldn't Prusa offer an INDX conversion directly bypassing the Nextruder (I am not familiar with when this extruder was first used) on older machines? There has got to be many of these old units out there that could then leap frog the Nextruder and still be a quality machine...
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
As long as there is an upgrade path from previous iterations of the MK4S and Core One, why wouldn't Prusa offer an INDX conversion directly bypassing the Nextruder (I am not familiar with when this extruder was first used) on older machines? There has got to be many of these old units out there that could then leap frog the Nextruder and still be a quality machine...
If you are on an older MK3 machine, its much cheaper to just buy a Core One since there are no components really that can be shared. So a direct upgrade kit is not feasible.
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
I guess that's my point, if I had an mk3 (which I don't) and I went straight to core one w/ indx, it seems like it would work. Just would need a kit offered by Prusa that included the specific components that were missing (and wouldn't need any of the nextruder improvements as they obviously aren't used in indx).
Without knowing the differences between the mk3 (which I don't have) and the mk4s (which I do have), from an outside observer it seems like the path is even more direct without the nextruder getting in the way (as far as cost and waste).
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
Looking at the MK4s even, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot that is reused when going to the Core One, even without the INDX. There's some, but it's a fairly big structural change. I think that a kit to go direct from MK4s to Core One+ INDX without the intermediate step of full Core One+ would save a bit of work, but I have some doubts it would save much money.
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
Looking at the MK4s even, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot that is reused when going to the Core One, even without the INDX. There's some, but it's a fairly big structural change. I think that a kit to go direct from MK4s to Core One+ INDX without the intermediate step of full Core One+ would save a bit of work, but I have some doubts it would save much money.
The only thing you would reuse from the MK4 is: the 3 motors, power supply, buddy board, display and 2 of the smooth rods. That's about it.
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
Here are the parts from the MK4S that you use for the Core One
https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/1d-component-prep_1000137#1032801
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
Alternatively, if you're sure you won't want your MMU3, maybe consider selling your used MK4S + MMU3 intact. It may cover the $500 price difference with buying the Core One new instead. Or it may not, but at least somebody out there gets a whole printer out it. As of this writing I see a Prusa MK4S + MMU3 going for $560 on eBay. If $70 of that $560 will be shipping, the seller will bear a slight loss relative to upgrading, plus the hassle of packaging the printer instead of disassembling it.
RE: MK4(s) to core one with INDX conversion
I don't think that any upgrade is "worthed". No matter what you upgrade you end up with a bunch of parts which are useless and you have no other option but to throw them away, which is a big shame and a waste of money. It's always way better idea (and financially the same, if not even cheaper) to sell existing printer and buy a new one. That's what i did when i bought core one: i sold my MK4S and it was even somewhat cheaper than conversion MK4S --> Core One.