RE: Update...(Kind of)
Beyond the delay, I respectfully think that any other conclusion, unless based on info that are internal to Bondtech or Prusa, is speculation. Given the past performance of Prusa on delivering on time, I do not think the retail version will see the light so soon, but I am speculating as well.
Another issue is that the FE release was supposed to kick the tires ahead of the retail version (call it a beta if you want). If the time between the two get compressed to 2 weeks, then the FE is de-facto the retail version and get reduced to the early-adopter round on kickstart.
They have very much indicated they can’t output the volumes required/forecasted with the current manufacturing process. So there will be a delay with FE getting theirs first. However, the highest probability is there will be a slight overlap between FE and Prusa orders. So yes if you are down to receive the FE as part of the last batch, I can see there only being a couple weeks at most between then and Prusa getting their initial shipments out the door. Only delay will be the time to ship from Sweden to Czech and then the time for Prusa to pack the Indx tool head into boxes
RE: Update...(Kind of)
It’s an educated guess to be honest, and based on timelines and if Prusa want to ensure they get at least one unit out the door by the end of June. I’d say it’s probable.
Everything shared since Formnext last November suggests the FEs will be getting the same guts as the commercial version. Difference only being the SLS printed body.
RE:
Another issue is that the FE release was supposed to kick the tires ahead of the retail version (call it a beta if you want). If the time between the two get compressed to 2 weeks, then the FE is de-facto the retail version and get reduced to the early-adopter round on kickstart.
This might sound a little perverse but I was looking forward to it to being early and possibly buggy. Meaning I was anticipating getting involved with the community debugging it as opposed to actually using it initially for real work.
RE: Update...(Kind of)
While we are trading educated guesses, mine is that they have found problems with remote-sensing the nozzle temperatures. Surface properties varying unit to unit, surface properties drifting with age, or such.
Just a stab in the dark to be honest. But it must be a somewhat fundamental and serious issue, otherwise they would not keep the lid on it the way they do.
RE: Update...(Kind of)
We will find out I'm sure, time will tell.
Any FE adopters may all benefit from the delay, but are we surprised given the track record of hardware releases from Prusa?
Granted the FE were coming from Bondtech, but it does make me wonder if there's something else that is hindering release from Prusa's side? All speculative of course, but i have nothing better to do at the min 😅