Tools a mounted on the front impacting access
After watching tons of INDX preview videos, I just now realized that for the Core One the INDX tools will be mounted on the front (door-side) of the printer. For reason I was sure they mounted on the back. Yes, I'm a dummy for not seeing this earlier. Is anyone concerned that it will make it a bit awkward to reach in to fiddle with the extruder, especially as it will probably be a bit more work to open the top cover as well?
RE: Tools a mounted on the front impacting access
After watching tons of INDX preview videos, I just now realized that for the Core One the INDX tools will be mounted on the front (door-side) of the printer. For reason I was sure they mounted on the back. Yes, I'm a dummy for not seeing this earlier. Is anyone concerned that it will make it a bit awkward to reach in to fiddle with the extruder, especially as it will probably be a bit more work to open the top cover as well?
The top cover will need to be removed anyway. It will be replaced by removable top the makes room for the PTFE tubes.
RE: Tools a mounted on the front impacting access
I assume (and very much hope) that the new cover will consist of two parts: A back which typically remains on the printer, and through which all the PTFE tubes are routed -- and a front hood which can be easily removed for access. The backside-only configuration can be seen in various FormNext videos, although that might not be the final cover design.
Nevertheless, I am also somewhat concerned about visibility and access to the toolhead and the print from the front side. I will opt for the four-tool configuration for that reason, so only half of the front rail will be populated with tool parking bays.
RE:
Is not a secret that tool changer printers that weren't originally designed this way are never going to be so convenient, ergonomic and reliable as machines that were born as tool changers ( Prusa XL or Snapmaker U1 ). The main difference is that these 2 printers have the tools mounted on the back extrusion, while implementations like the INDX and others need to relocate the tools at the front because the printheads are sitting in front of the X extrusion. There's no fix for that unless you redesign totally the printer and that's not practical, if only for the cost involved. Better to make a totally new printer or settle for a compromise between price, ergonomics and technical complexity.
I bet that everybody here believes that in a couple of years we well see INDX based printers designed from scratch. Hopefully, IMHO, from brands less troublesome than Prusa, not only for firmware issues but also for quality control, price and technical expertise ( or lack of..).