Josef Průša, the Founding father of Prusa Analysis, dropped a bombshell on the 3D printing group Wednesday morning. After teasing a video on Twitter of a quick printing Benchy on Tuesday, he introduced the lengthy awaited Unique Prusa MK4 was able to ship. A number of hundred prebuilt MK4s have been in inventory and able to buy for $1099 with a $799 DIY package on the best way.
The announcement took Twitter by storm. Followers of the favored orange printers have suffered by means of a drought of upgrades, with no signal of aid regardless of newcomers AnkerMake and Bambu Lab showing on the scene in 2022 with eye-popping pace. The final replace to the flagship sequence was the MK3S+ in late 2020, which remains to be one of many greatest 3D printers. The unique MK3 was launched in 2017.
I used to be invited to speak with Průša to observe up on the launch of the MK4. “The discharge was superior, higher than any Kickstarter you’ve seen,” he mentioned. Průša declined to state what number of models are prepared for delivery, however mentioned 1000’s have been ordered. “Nobody was anticipating it this near delivery the XL.”
“It’s surreal for us,” he added. Průša mentioned they’ve been utilizing the MK4 for the previous yr, placing the machines by means of sensible testing across the workplace and inside their print farm. When requested how they’ve managed to maintain the coveted new printer beneath wraps, he smiled and mentioned, “we’re good at hiding.”
Průša defined that the MK4 wanted to be launched on the heels of the dearer Unique Prusa XL instrument changer as a result of they share numerous {hardware} and firmware. He was involved that his competitors would tear into the XL on the lookout for secrets and techniques and presumably copycat the MK4 earlier than it might get out the door.
It’s extensively recognized that Průša is a staunch supporter of the Open Supply motion, however he has issues. Firms like his follow open supply to share concepts and improvements, serving to one another develop by combining their data. He wrote a weblog put up about his ideas on March 29, hoping to spur communication and finally devise a brand new license for the 3D printing group.
Prusa lamented the current lack of innovation in 3D printing, stating that the group was extra vibrant simply 5 years in the past. “Everyone seems to be doing a rehash of the i3; nobody is attempting new issues,” he mentioned. He dismissed his competitor’s speedy Core XY machines as “simply Voron with a cloak.”
He admits his new MK4 would possibly look similar to the MK3, which has grow to be an business commonplace. He defined that many of the modifications are beneath the hood. Průša is most happy with the 32-bit STM32-powered xBuddy board which handles all of the printer’s features, together with Prusa Analysis’s new firmware which handles Enter Shaping and Stress Advance. Different quick 3D printers, just like the Biqu Hurakan, require two separate boards and a clumsy inner placement to do the identical job.
The xBuddy board additionally contains built-in Ethernet, Wi-Fi, a USB-C port and ports for an non-obligatory accelerometer and multi-material unit.
A “hidden gem” that Průša feels customers will actually get pleasure from is the brand new load cell sensor, which his engineers have additionally put in on the lately launched Unique Prusa XL. The analog sensor helps the printer lay down an ideal first layer robotically. It measures the gap between the nozzle and the print sheet and calculates any required Z offset. He mentioned that different firms have been utilizing comparable know-how, however not in addition to they’ve. It requires no enter from the consumer, and fully eliminates the necessity for Stay Modify Z.
To hurry up prep time, the sensor solely examines the portion of the mattress that shall be printed on.
Clients who’ve pre-ordered the large Unique Prusa XL instrument changer can keep away from purchaser’s regret and swap to a MK4 as a substitute. If you have already got an MK3S+ you should buy a wide range of improve choices.
“The improve is a pleasant factor to do for patrons,” he mentioned, “it should save on e-waste. And you may re-program the outdated board like an Arduino for making tasks.”
Průša recommends the MK3.5 improve because the “greatest bang in your buck.” This improve is $249 and comprises the xBuddy board and a brand new LCD display, giving your outdated printer entry to Enter Shaper and Stress Advance for prime pace printing.
He doesn’t advocate the complete improve package, which additionally contains the Nextruder and new stepper motors, however felt the necessity to embody the choice as a result of somebody will ask for it. The complete improve package is $589, roughly half the value of an entire MK4.
